Government spokesman: The state has decided to build a media city
Minister of Culture, Arts, Communication, and Relations with Parliament, and government spokesperson, Mr. Hussein Ould Medo, announced that the construction project for a Press House will soon commence. The state has allocated ten hectares for building a media city, with one of these hectares dedicated to the Press House. This announcement was made in response to a question during his comments on the results of the Cabinet meeting held this Wednesday evening at the Mauritanian News Agency headquarters in Nouakchott, alongside the Ministers of Economy and Finance and Energy and Petroleum.
The Minister also addressed concerns raised about the higher education competition, stating that the doors are open for those who wish to file complaints. They should follow the administrative and legal procedures, and their grievances will be addressed if they are found to be justified. He emphasized that President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani is committed to bringing the administration closer to the citizens, citing the cancellation of a competition organized by the National Social Security Fund due to organizational violations. He also mentioned ongoing inspections of the National Water Company’s competition.
In turn, Minister of Economy and Finance, Mr. Sid Ahmed Ould Abah, stated that the draft law concerning the Mauritanian Central Bank’s legal framework, which was approved by the Cabinet today, will bring about a qualitative leap in the bank’s operations by introducing new reforms aligned with modern financial system requirements. The project aims to implement several reforms, such as redistributing the bank’s tasks and powers by creating a new deliberative body (Payment Systems Council), enhancing the bank’s independence and transparency as the country’s primary issuing institution, and appointing three deputies to the governor, similar to practices in many countries, to enable the institution to perform its duties effectively, along with establishing advisory councils.
The Minister highlighted the context of this project, noting the evolution of digital payment methods and the need to ensure their ability to counteract fraud. He emphasized enhancing payment flexibility and suitability and adopting the best mechanisms to monitor payment methods to ensure citizens’ confidence in their transactions.
Regarding the statement on measures related to the restructuring of the SOMOLEC Group, presented in collaboration with the Minister of Energy and Petroleum, the Minister confirmed that the statement aims to continue the company’s efforts to provide electricity services to citizens more efficiently. This requires making substantial changes, including altering public attitudes. He outlined the plan adopted by the Cabinet to improve the company’s operations, focusing on regulating its contractual agreements with the state, enhancing its resources, and addressing fraud challenges faced in recent years to meet the challenges of providing this vital service.
Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Mr. Mohamed Ould Khaled, added that the statement on restructuring SOMOLEC discussed the company’s technical and financial situation and addressed aspects related to electricity service access and distribution methods. The statement included a plan for institutional reform, with President Ghazouani’s instructions to mobilize the necessary resources and ensure the plan’s implementation within the specified deadlines. He noted that the company has not increased electricity prices since 2019, despite the significant rise in fuel prices.
In response to a question about fuel price increases, the Minister confirmed that state support for fuel prices continues. The state currently subsidizes 52 old ouguiyas per liter of diesel and 1160 old ouguiyas per large cylinder of LPG.
