President Ben Ali inaugurates M’saken-Sfax motorway and enquires about “Taparura” project
Sfax, August 16, 2008 - As part of his following up the development process in the different regions of the country and furtherance of plans and programmes set in this field, President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali headed, on Saturday afternoon, for the governorate of Sfax where he inaugurated the M’saken-Sfax motorway which went into operation in July 2008.
The Head of State also enquired, during the visit, about the furtherance of the “Taparura” project.
A particularly warm and enthusiastic popular welcome was reserved to the President of the Republic by a large crowd of citizens who massed on both sides of the city of Sfax motorway at kilometre 20.
Citizens expressed consideration and gratitude to the Head of State for this important achievement which has come to strengthen the national gains in the field of infrastructure.
The construction of the M’saken-Sfax motorway had been ordered by the President of the Republic in 2004 to meet the local population’s expectations and those of neighbouring governorates in the Tunisian south, which helped ease road traffic and boost the economic activity in these regions.
The 430-million-dinar M’saken-Sfax motorway covers a 98- kilometre distance and has a 6-km ramp leading to the city of Sfax.
The motorway is made up of two sections: the first links the cities of M’saken and El-Jem, and the second connects El- Jem and Northern Sfax. Five large interchanges are built on this motorway.
The Head of State also enquired about the components of this motorway extension project to Gabes, a project the construction of which he ordered.
The Head of State, then, headed for the “Taparura” area where he enquired about the furtherance of the presidential project, “Taparura project for depolluting the Northern part of the city of the Sfax .”
The President of the Republic familiarised with the already completed phases of the project, particularly the cleaning up of the Sidi Mansour coastline between Sfax City and the Kerkennah Islands.
He also enquired about the furtherance of the fitting-out of the Taparura area.
The total cost of this project is estimated at 140.5 million dinars. The construction of the first phase reached 88% of completion and that of the second phase 33%.
The Head of State was briefed, through models, of the embankment works by means of sea sands, the construction of a canal to drain off rainwater and the protection of the coastline.
The first phase of the project is meant for cleaning up the area and removing solid and liquid wastes.
The second phase pertains to fitting out 260 hectares of salvaged lands dedicated to the creation of green areas and the construction of residential units, community amenities, and tourist and leisure zones over a 5-kilometre distance along the coastline of the city of Sfax, in such a manner as to contribute to purifying air, conferring more aesthetics on beaches and boosting tourist activity.
The President of the Republic voiced satisfaction at the furtherance of this important project which is likely to promote the environmental situation, help reduce pollution, revive the sea environment and improve aesthetics and quality of life in this area.
A particularly warm and enthusiastic popular welcome was reserved to the President of the Republic by a large crowd of citizens who massed on both sides of the city of Sfax motorway at kilometre 20.
