On Thursday, September 5, 2024, President Kais Saïed met with Habib Abid, Minister of the Environment, at the Carthage Palace to address Tunisia’s increasingly alarming environmental situation. The meeting provided a chance to evaluate the ecological challenges facing several regions of the country and to identify the root causes of this environmental degradation.
A Situation Worsened by Corruption
During the meeting, President Saïed underscored the numerous factors contributing to the environmental decline in cities such as Gabès, Sfax, and Gafsa. He strongly denounced the persistent corruption within the environmental sector, remarking that even international aid intended for ecological projects had been misappropriated by officials tasked with protecting the environment.
Saïed furthermore criticized the failure of key infrastructure projects designed to improve environmental conditions. Many of these decontamination and environmental protection initiatives have either fallen short of expectations or failed to materialize, leading to a notable waste of public funds.
Sacrificed Cities and Waste Management Scandals
The President voiced indignation over how certain cities have seen their environments deteriorate, with pollution levels in Gabès, Sfax, and Gafsa reaching alarming heights due to inadequate infrastructure and mismanaged waste. He likewise condemned past efforts to turn Tunisia into a dumping ground for foreign waste, a scandal that has drawn attention in recent years.
Toward a New National Environmental Strategy
In reaction to these challenges, President Saïed highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive national strategy that can swiftly address environmental issues while engaging various stakeholders. He suggested key measures such as improved urban planning, the promotion of renewable energy, and the innovative use of waste for energy production.
Saïed also noted the potential for repurposing phosphogypsum, an industrial by-product currently contributing to pollution, which could be harnessed for industrial use if managed correctly.
A Call for Reorganization
The President reiterated the significance of restructuring efforts to ensure sustainable development. This plan aims to restore degraded ecosystems, enhance infrastructure, and establish effective waste management systems, while also rooting out the corruption that has plagued this vital sector.
The meeting between President Kais Saïed and Minister Habib Abid signals a crucial turning point in Tunisia’s approach to environmental governance, marking a renewed focus on making environmental sustainability a national priority.
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