The Mauritanian presidency has unveiled the composition of the new government on the night of August 5-6, 2024. This new cabinet, led by Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Diay, is composed of a team of 29 ministers, keeping in place the ministers of Defense, Interior, Justice and Foreign Affairs, and seeking to implement the vision of the re-elected President Ghazouani for the next five years, focusing on vocational training, education and local development, essential aspects to boost welfare and social stability in the country.
Until the 2010s, Ould Djaye was an unknown, but his political career took off under the former regime of President Aziz. He was appointed Director General of Taxes and five years later, Minister of Finance. His relevance reasserted itself during the presidency of Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, where he managed to be exonerated following investigations by the Parliamentary Investigation Commission (CEP).
Subsequently, Ould Djaye stood out as Campaign Coordinator of the Insaf party during the 2023 legislative elections, which earned him the rank of “super minister”. “super minister”, in charge of the in charge of the presidential cabinet.
The new structure of the Mauritanian government is distinguished by the inclusion of younger members, reflecting a commitment on the part of President Ghazouani to involve youth in decision-making. In addition, a notable aspect of this new cabinet is the creation of two key ministries: the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Industry and Mines. These ministries are not only critical to the country’s economic development, but will also allow for better management and exploitation of natural resources, promoting sustainable growth and diversification of the economy.
The formation of the new government, according to Moulay Ould Mohamed Laghdaf, the minister secretary general of the presidency, aims to be more efficient in implementing President Ghazouani’s vision over the next five years. By expanding and merging sectoral mandates, as well as creating new portfolios, it seeks to establish a more agile and effective government that responds to the needs of Mauritanian society.
NEW GOVERNMENT
Prime Minister to Mokhtar Ould Diay
Secretary General of the Presidency Moulay Ould Mohamed Laghdaf
Minister in charge of the General Secretariat of the Government : Lam Al-Housseinou
Minister of Youth, Sports and Civic Service: Mohamed Abdallahi Louly
Minister of Vocational Training, Crafts and Trades: Maalainine Ould Eyih
Minister of Justice: Mohamed Mahmoud Boya
Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Mauritanians Abroad: Mohamed Salem Merzoug
Minister of Defense and Pensioners’ and Martyrs’ Sons’ Affairs: Hanana Ould Sidi
Minister of the Interior, Decentralization and Local Development: Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed Lemine
Minister of Fisheries, Maritime and Port Infrastructures: Fadhili Sidaty
Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty: Momme Beibate
Minister of Livestock: Mokhtar Gaguih
Minister of Finance, Patrimony and Agrarian Reform: Mokhtar Ahmed Bousseif
Minister of Trade and Tourism: Zeinebou Mint Ahmednah
Minister of Town and Country Planning, Housing and Urban Development: Niang Mamadou
Minister of Equipment and Transportation: Ely El Veirik
Minister of Water and Sanitation : Amal Mouloud
Minister of Culture, Arts, Communication and Relations with Parliament: Houssein Ould Medou
Minister of Children and Family: Savia Ntahah
Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development: Massouda Baham
Minister attached to the Minister of the Interior, Promotion of Decentralization and Local Development, in charge of Decentralization and Local Development: Yacoub Salem Vall
Minister attached to the Minister of Economy and Finance, in charge of the budget: Ankimour Kodero Harouna.
Minister of Islamic Affairs and Original Education: Sidi Yahya Cheikhna Lemrabott
Minister of Economy and Finance: Sid’Ahmed Bouh
Minister of Education and Education Reform: Houda Babah
Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research: Yacoub Moine
Minister of Health: Abdallahi Wedih
Minister of Public Service and Labor: Mohamed Ould Soueidatt
Minister of Digital Transformation and Modernization of the Administration: Ahmed Salem Ebode
Minister of Energy and Petroleum: Mohamed Ould Khaled
Minister of Mines and Industry: Thiam Tidjani.
If you wish to read a summary of the President Mohamed Ghazouani’s program for the next five years, click here >
Mauritania’s Council of Ministers Approves Bills for Green Hydrogen and Local Content Development
The Council of Ministers of Mauritania met on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic, Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani. During this session, two draft laws essential to the development of the country’s energy and extractive sector were examined and approved.
The first bill establishes the Green Hydrogen Code, which aims to create an attractive and transparent legal and regulatory framework. This code seeks to encourage the investment necessary for the development of the green hydrogen sector by regulating industrial activities in both hydrogen production and refining. With these measures, it is expected to consolidate the confidence of international investors, who are showing a growing interest in green hydrogen projects in Mauritania.
Before its final ratification, the proposal will be submitted to Parliament for discussion and approval, a step that is considered vital to refine the text and meet the expectations of the various stakeholders. The Council of Ministers stresses the importance of this legislative stage to ensure the smooth and effective implementation of the provisions of the Green Hydrogen Code.
Mauritania, which has already signed several memorandums of understanding to promote projects in the area of green hydrogen, is poised to make significant progress towards the adoption of this bill, marking a new milestone in its energy strategy.
The second bill focuses on local content in the extractive and energy sectors. This bill is aligned with the Local Content in the Extractive Sector (CLE) 2022-2030 strategy and initiatives such as the African Mining Vision and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. It aims to establish a foundation for an economy that is less dependent on non-renewable natural resources, while promoting the development of small and medium-sized enterprises that provide goods and services, and fostering the creation of local knowledge and expertise.
Both bills are fundamental steps to boost the Mauritanian economy and strengthen its position in the regional and international energy landscape.
Mauritania and the European Union: Strategic Partnership in the Energy Transition
By Hassana Mbeirick
Mauritania presents itself as a strategic country whose stability directly influences Europe. Its importance lies not only in its geographical position, but also in its economic potential, especially in the sustainable exploitation of resources such as fishing, gas, mining and green hydrogen.
Recently, both parties signed an agreement covering different strategic sectors and areas of common interest, aligning with the components of the Global Gateway strategy, which includes energy, digitalization, transportation, health, education and research.
The European Union (EU) is actively driving the development of a green hydrogen ecosystem in Mauritania by supporting the improvement of the sector’s governance framework, particularly through the adoption of the hydrogen code, as well as building the necessary infrastructure for its development. During the Global Gateway Forum in October 2023, President Ursula von der Leyen, together with President Ghazouani, launched the Team Europe Initiative (TEI) on renewable hydrogen, implemented by the EU, France, Germany, Spain and the European Investment Bank (EIB).
The key objectives of TEI are:
- Building the necessary infrastructure to develop a hydrogen ecosystem in Mauritania.
- Structuring and modernization of the private sector.
- The development of local skills.
- Improvement of the business climate in the country.
This meeting underlined the remarkable European interest in the development of low-carbon hydrogen and its derivatives in Mauritania, such as ammonia and green steel. As Europe, the world’s largest energy importer, seeks to diversify its sources of supply and decarbonize its industry under the “Green Plan for Europe,” green steel production in Mauritania becomes particularly attractive. This sector can effectively absorb a significant share of domestic green hydrogen production, benefiting both the local economy and the EU’s sustainability goals.
In addition, European industry has shown interest in supporting local value chains, especially in the transformation of decarbonized iron ore using renewable hydrogen, which is directly related to the decarbonization of industrial sectors that are difficult to operate within the EU, such as the steel industry.
TGS Signs Agreement with Mauritania to Provide Key Subsurface Data
TGS, a global leader in energy data and intelligence, has signed an agreement on July 22 with the Ministry of Petroleum, Mines and Energy of Mauritania to integrate, enhance and license additional subsurface data, consolidating its position as the only multi-client subsurface data provider in the Republic.
This agreement will allow TGS to significantly expand the data available both onshore and offshore across Mauritania. The new data includes ten narrow azimuth 3D seismic surveys processed by ION in 2022 through 3D prestack depth migration, resulting in a fully merged volume of 19,092 km². In addition, approximately 84,000 km² of 3D surveys of released offshore blocks are included, as well as well data and nearly 20,000 km of 2D onshore seismic data within the Taoudeni Basin.
BP Aims to Produce First LNG from Africa’s Tortue Ahmeyim Project by the End of 2024
BP has targeted the fourth quarter of 2024 to start liquefied natural gas (LNG) production at its delayed and cost-overrun Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) project, located in Mauritanian and Senegalese waters. This development comes as the project’s commissioning process continues.
Phase 1 of the GTA is projected to produce approximately 2.3 million tons per year of LNG for two decades, using inputs from subsea wells connected to a production, storage and offloading vessel that, in turn, is linked to a floating LNG carrier.
This LNG carrier is at the core of a hub terminal installed behind a dedicated breakwater off the coast of the Senegalese port of St. Louis. The project partners plan to bring in a cargo of LNG to accelerate the commissioning of this important component of the project.
The Mining Sector in Mauritania: Potential for Transforming the Country’s Economy
Mauritania stands out as one of the leading producers of iron ore and gold in Africa, with remarkable mining potential that could transform its economy, thanks to its relative stability in the Sahel region. The country has more than 900 mineral occurrences, including iron, copper, gold, silver and other valuable resources.
In 2013, Mauritania produced 14 million tons of iron ore, ranking as the second largest producer on the continent after South Africa. With reserves estimated at 20 billion tons, one of the richest iron veins is in the Reguibat mountain range in the north of the country, with around 2 billion tons in reserves. Since 1974, Société Nationale Industrielle et Minière (SNIM) has managed the iron ore mines, operating in key regions such as Zouerate, and plans to reach an ambitious production of 45 million tons by 2030.
Mauritania is also a leading producer of copper and gold. The Guelb Moghrein mine, operated by Mauritanian Copper Mines, produced approximately 26,363 ounces of gold and 13,000 tons of copper in 2023. The Tasiast gold mine is one of Africa’s largest projects, generating about $3.6 billion in revenue since 2010 and reaching record production of 620,793 ounces in 2023.
Despite this potential, the mining sector faces significant challenges, such as lack of adequate infrastructure, limitations in the transportation network, and energy supply problems. The limited depth of the access channels to the port of Nouadhibou restricts the size of vessels that can load, increasing costs. Meanwhile, the artisanal sector contributes $780 million annually and provides 145,000 jobs, highlighting the socioeconomic vitality of mining in the country.
The government of Mauritania, in collaboration with Germany’s BMZ, is seeking to diversify the mining sector, focusing on non-metallic minerals such as gypsum and phosphate. It also has ambitious projects for green hydrogen production that could increase GDP by 50-60% by 2035.
With GDP growth estimated at 4.8% in 2023 and projections of 5% by 2024, Mauritania is on an upward trajectory. However, for the mining sector to reach its full potential and contribute to economic transformation, it is vital to address key challenges such as infrastructure deficiencies and regulatory inefficiencies. If properly managed, these initiatives can consolidate the mining sector as a key pillar for the country’s economic future.
The Government of the Canary Islands has marked a milestone in its internationalization strategy by holding the first Regional Internationalization Council of the Canary Islands. This meeting represents a long-cherished dream of those working to export goods and services and attract foreign direct investment to the islands.
The event, led by the Vice-President and Minister of Economy, Industry, Trade and the Self-Employed, Manuel Domínguez, brought together for the first time all the institutions involved in the development of a common strategy. This approach aims to diversify the Canary Islands’ economy and strengthen both exports and investment attraction.
Important entities such as Proexca, ICEX, the councils of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, Casa África, the Canary Islands Special Zone (ZEC), the free trade zones and the chambers of commerce of different islands, among others, participated in this meeting.
Four key areas of coordination were discussed during the sessions:
- Sector coordinationUpdating of strategic plans for each sector.
- Geographic coordinationExamples include the Africa Plan and the potential of Latin America.
- Program coordinationProgram coordination: Distribution of actions among the participating actors, highlighting roles such as support for new exporters by the chambers of commerce and Proexca as support for regular exporters.
- Access to Proexca’s foreign networkSupport in strategic countries for the Canary Islands.
Gustavo González de Vega, Deputy Minister of Economy and Internationalization, highlighted the “unity of action and unique image of the Canary Islands abroad” as the underlying philosophy of the project, underlining the commitment of the Government of the Canary Islands to a common goal of cohesion and international economic development.
Fifth Sahel Alliance General Assembly Held in Berlin to Address Regional Challenges
On July 16, 2024, Berlin was the venue for the fifth General Assembly of the Sahel Alliance, bringing together members and partners of the organization under the leadership of the German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Svenja Schulze. The purpose of the meeting was to reaffirm joint commitments to address the multiple challenges facing the Sahel region, as well as to assess progress since the last assembly. In a context marked by the political instability affecting several countries in the region and despite the tensions generated by the governments resulting from coups d’état in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, the members of the Alliance reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration in key areas for development.
During the Assembly, the priorities agreed upon in 2023 with the Saharan partners were reaffirmed, including:
Youth Employment and EducationThe creation of jobs and economic opportunities was highlighted, as well as the need to ensure quality education for young people, essential elements for sustainable development in the region.
Crisis ResilienceParticipants stressed the importance of strengthening social protection systems and ensuring access to food security, which are key to increasing the resilience of communities in the face of crisis situations.
Territorial Development and Basic ServicesImproved infrastructure and access to basic services, such as drinking water, health care and sanitation, were identified as key requirements for regional development in the Sahel.
From 2017 to 2022, thanks to the Sahel Alliance, 22.5 million people accessed food and livelihood assistance, 8 million improved their access to safe drinking water and more than 5 million children were vaccinated.
During the assembly, the new “RELANCE” funding instrument, designed to enhance education and skills development, was presented. A trust fund was also established to support initiatives in the Sahel and coastal areas of West Africa in response to the growing demand for assistance to address the challenges of climate change and food insecurity.
Created on July 13, 2017 in Paris by France and Germany, the Sahel Alliance seeks to stabilize the region through international cooperation. It currently has 12 members, including key countries and agencies such as the European Union, the World Bank and the United Kingdom, with the United States, Norway and Finland as observers. Since its inception, the Alliance has funded 1,330 projects between 2017 and 2022, with a total investment of €26.47 billion, benefiting 22.5 million people in the region.
Mauritania signs roadmap with the Mediterranean Union to strengthen disaster risk reduction
Mauritania has taken a significant step by signing the Mediterranean Union’s roadmap for disaster risk reduction on June 27, 2024. Major General Aboulmali Hadi Sidi Ould Amer, who holds the position of Delegate General for Civil Security and Crisis Management, formalized this important agreement in Northwick, the Netherlands.
The event took place during the second meeting of the steering committee of the program, which is funded by the European Union and known as PPRD MED. The 2024-2026 roadmap aims not only to increase the operational capabilities of the directorate through training in the use of new technologies – with a particular emphasis on space technologies in the field of civil protection – but also to foster bilateral cooperation between Mauritania and other EU member states in various fields. This reflects the country’s commitment to improving crisis management and civil protection, establishing a more solid framework for dealing with potential future disasters.
Mauritania presents its track record on the Sustainable Development Goals at the New York forum
On July 12, 2024, Mauritania presented its second voluntary national review report on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the UN High-Level Political Forum in New York, which runs from July 8-18. Abdessalam Mohamed Saleh, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, highlighted the country’s significant progress, such as the four-fold increase in social protection spending under the presidency of Mohamed Cheikh El Ghazouani. This reflects the country’s commitment to improving the living conditions of vulnerable groups through access to essential services such as education, health and water.
The minister also noted that challenges persist in areas such as human capital, infrastructure and governance. He stressed the importance of promoting a green economy, where Mauritania has great potential. He pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 11% by 2030, with the goal of renewable energy accounting for 60% of energy consumption. To achieve these goals, Saleh emphasized the need to mobilize financial resources and encourage private sector participation, reaffirming the country’s commitment to sustainable and prosperous development for all its citizens.
Canary Islands overwhelmed with nearly 6,000 unaccompanied African minors in its care
Almost 6000 unaccompanied children have arrived in the Canary Islands from the African coasts, escaping violence and poverty in their countries of origin. Despite the fact that Spanish regulations stipulate that the Autonomous Communities must assume guardianship of these minors when they arrive, the child protection system in the Canary Islands is completely overwhelmed, as it was prepared to deal with 2,000, but now has to manage three times that number.
This context is further aggravated by an all-time record number of immigrants in the Canary Islands in 2023, with 40,000 people without papers, representing 70% of all immigrants who have arrived in Spain. Many of these children are asylum seekers due to their origin from war zones, a fundamental right recognized by international law. However, the current response is inadequate, with makeshift shelters, staff not always trained and a deficit in legal, educational and mental health care, which affects their rights.
The need for a reform of the Organic Law on Foreigners is raised to facilitate the distribution of these minors among other Autonomous Communities, for which sufficient resources must be ensured and mobile teams of professionals trained in child protection must be established.
The United States has announced new visa restrictions targeting travel agency and tour operators who facilitate illegal immigration into the country. The U.S. embassy in Mauritania explained that these measures aim to combat those who profit from the exploitation of vulnerable migrants, urging those interested in traveling to use legal and safe routes.
The U.S. government emphasized its commitment to use visa restrictions against unscrupulous actors in the transportation sector as part of a broader campaign to eliminate exploitative practices. This announcement comes in a context where irregular migration from Mauritania to the U.S., especially through the border fence with Mexico, has increased significantly. The embassy expressed concern about the growing number of young Mauritanians migrating irregularly.
New arrivals at M’bera refugee camp make it unsustainable
The M’bera refugee camp, located in Mauritania, currently hosts 109,000 Malians who have fled growing insecurity in their country, representing the largest number of Malian refugees in West Africa. This camp was established near the town of Basicounou to provide refuge for those fleeing the civil war and violence that has plagued Mali since 2012.
According to the World Food Program (WFP), a funding gap of $15.1 million is anticipated for food aid provided to these refugees through cash transfers, and an additional $4.6 million for the second half of 2024 in the resilience capacity building program.
Mali has been in a critical situation under the rule of a military junta since 2020 and faces constant attacks by terrorist groups such as the Islamic State and the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GAIM), as well as violence by the Malian army, which is backed by mercenaries from the Russian Wagner group. In the last year, more than 4,000 people have lost their lives in Mali due to these clashes, along with more than 2,000 deaths caused by state forces.
44% of Mauritania’s imports come from Europe
According to a quarterly report by the National Agency for Statistics and Demographic and Economic Analysis (ANSADE), 44% of Mauritania’s imports come from European countries, totaling more than 19 billion ouguiyas (approximately 50 million euros).
The report also reveals that Mauritanian exports to Asian countries account for 36% of the total, with a value of over 15 billion ouguiyas (approximately 39.5 million euros). Imports from Africa account for 10%, while exports to Africa make up 13%.
The main products exported by Mauritania are iron ore (36.1%), gold (over 30%) and fishery products (almost 27%). Imports include foodstuffs (36%), petroleum products and construction materials.
Note: The exchange rate used is approximate and based on recent market values (1 Mauritanian ouguiya = 0.0026 euros).
Bank Al Amana upgrades its banking system with technological innovations
Bank Al Amana has announced, through an official statement, a significant upgrade of its core banking system in collaboration with Capital Banking Solutions (CBS). This upgrade includes several new functionalities aimed at improving the customer experience.
Among the main new features is the WhatsApp Banking service with CapitalDigital, which will allow customers to manage their accounts through WhatsApp, offering greater accessibility. Likewise, loan management has been simplified thanks to CapitalLending, making it easier for individuals and companies to apply for and track their loans in a more transparent way. For international transactions, the CapitalPayments solution ensures faster and more secure cross-border payments.
In addition, the bank has launched Capital e-Learning, an online training platform for its staff, with the aim of strengthening their skills and ensuring high quality service. Bank Al Amana thanked its clients for their continued trust and reaffirmed its commitment to continue innovating to effectively meet their needs.
BTI Publishes Report on Mauritania
The Good Governance Initiative (BTI) Transformation Program has recently launched a detailed report on Mauritania, which examines the various political, economic and social aspects of the country. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and opportunities facing Mauritania as it moves towards the consolidation of democracy and sustainable development.
According to the report, the period under review has been characterized by President Ould Ghazouani’s efforts to consolidate his authority in a political context marked by rigidity. This phenomenon is manifested in the tendency of new presidents – whether active or retired, elected or not – to neutralize their predecessors, no matter how close they may have been. With the country about to hold its first legislative, regional and local elections since Ould Ghazouani assumed power in May 2023, and with the next presidential election scheduled for 2024, the president’s quest for consolidation has manifested itself in three ways.
First, he has secured total control of the ruling party, co-opting or neutralizing allies of former President Ould Abdel Aziz. Ould Abdel Aziz’s ambition to maintain his influence over the party and in military circles, as well as in some business networks, has motivated Ghazouani’s strong management of his predecessor. This is also reflected in the ruling party’s name change in July 2022 from Union for the Republic (UPR) to EL INSEF, thus removing Ould Abdel Aziz’s authority.
Second, Ould Abdel Aziz has been kept off the national stage through ongoing legal proceedings, an approach that nonetheless poses risks for the current president. Having been one of Aziz’s closest associates and holding influential positions in the security apparatus, Ghazouani faces difficulties in disassociating himself from the various schemes uncovered by the parliamentary investigations.
Third, the new president and his government have sought to legitimize their mandate by changing the official discourse.ghazouani has adopted a more direct approach in addressing the country’s most significant challenges, acknowledging sensitive issues such as slavery and the situation of the Haratin population. Concerns about hunger in rural areas and the marginalization of ethnic minority languages in the education system have also been addressed. However, while the change in official communication is notable, actual policy implementation has failed to bring about substantial change in these areas.
On the economic and development front, the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have highlighted Mauritania’s economic vulnerability. The country is dependent on highly volatile international prices for its main exports, which include iron ore, gold, and fishery products. In addition, it relies on cereal imports for approximately 80% of its domestic food consumption, contributing to economic instability.
The imminent start of natural gas production on the maritime border between Mauritania and Senegal (Grand Tortue Ahmeyim) holds great promise for the country, having attracted some $5 billion in investments over the past six years. However, this project reaffirms a historical trend in which large investments are made in the extractive sector with little impact on the rest of the economy. As a result, Mauritania remains dependent on foreign aid to finance its social programs.
Participation in the international health fair in Mauritania, MEDEX, is now open.
The Health Federation of the Employers’ Federation of Mauritania, in collaboration with COEME, has opened registration for participants in the next health fair, MEDEX, which has as its main theme the advances and innovation in medicine and its impact on the development of the sector in Mauritania. To request a sponsor or exhibitor dossier, please send an email to direction@coeme.org.
3 Million to Mauritania to Address Environmental and Security Risks
The Ministry of Agriculture of Mauritania has signed a tripartite project, financed by the Italian government through the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), aimed at addressing environmental and security risks in the country. This project, with a budget of US$3 million and a duration of three years, was signed by the Minister of Agriculture, Moma Ould Beïbatt; the FAO representative in Nouakchott, Alexandre Huynh; and the Italian Ambassador to Mauritania, Laura Bottà.
Minister Ould Beïbatt stressed that this initiative will contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change and the degradation of natural resources, as well as reducing the food deficit and food insecurity in the specific regions of the Hodh, benefiting approximately 8,000 people, 30% of whom are young people and women.
For his part, Huynh warned that food insecurity in Mauritania has been aggravated by the degradation of natural resources, deforestation and soil erosion, which has reduced both the productivity and fertility of the land. Desertification, which is advancing rapidly, has limited arable areas and available pastures.
Ambassador Bottà stressed that the project addresses key challenges in the fight against desertification by promoting practices such as drip irrigation, fodder cultivation and animal health care. He also emphasized the importance of coordination among all parties involved to ensure the success of the project, which focuses on the social impact of its interventions. He also mentioned that additional areas of cooperation are being explored in sectors such as mining and energy for the sustainable development of Mauritania.
90% of Nouakchott’s Sanitation Network Deteriorated, According to ONAS Director General
The Director General of Mauritania’s National Sanitation Office (ONAS), Ahmed Zeidane Ould Mohamed Mahmoud, has declared that 90% of the sanitation network in the capital, Nouakchott, is in deplorable condition. In an interview with the Agence Mauretanienne d’Information (AMI), Ould Mohamed Mahmoud noted that the city lacks a modern drainage system and that some areas of the old city still retain vestiges of a sanitation system that has become obsolete.
The director stressed that, despite current shortcomings, ONAS is well prepared to respond to emergencies and mitigate the risks associated with the rainy season. He highlighted that the agency’s logistical and technical capabilities are fundamental to face the impacts of torrential rains, seasonal floods and natural disasters caused by climate change, which threaten the existing infrastructure.
