In Algeria, Abdelouahab Nouri, the Minister of Land Development, Tourism and Craftsmanship, on an inspection tour in the tourism expansion zones (ZET), complained about land grabbing which impaired the optimal implementation of the Parc des Grands Vents (Dounia Park) project in Algiers.

The complex which was to become a recreation park with playing zones, green spaces and restaurants, has obviously been poorly handled. “The project took dangerous turns and now requires strict and urgent measures. I was really surprised when I found out about and studied the status of this project. It is true that some executives previously told me that plots were being illegally distributed but I couldn’t believe them because the park is supposed to be well-protected. Sadly, everything was true. Against the law, plots are indeed being distributed for fake projects, mainly portrayed as fast-foods,” the minister told El Moudjahid.  

Out of the 1,059 hectares dedicated to the project, nearly 65 hectares were illegally distributed. This drove land management offices to cancel contracts for a hundred projects as the minister said “it was impossible to promote the development of tourism by encouraging such non-respect of the law”.

Souha Touré