Pt Bouteflika: No backing down on projected shale gas exploitation…the political opposition follows “scorched earth policy” to reach power

“The exploration drilling operations of Algeria’s shale gas have been carried out in consistence with the interests of citizens, ecology and geological integrity of the regions concerned”, President Bouteflika said in a message read out on his behalf in Ghardaia in southern Algeria by Adviser to the presidency of the Republic, Benamar Zerhouni, on the occasion of “Victory Day”, celebrated on March 19th of each year.

“Keeping always in mind that nobody has the right and the possibility to act in any way likely to jeopardize the interests of citizens, the local environment and the geological integrity of some regions whatsoever that we, on the basis of irrefutable and proven certainties, have engaged only in the exploration and the assessment of our country’s shale gas potential,” President Bouteflika said.

“We will keep up with this option until the end,” underscored the Head of the State in his message in which he referred to the anti-gas shale protests at In Salah, which still persist today despite, he noted, that all safety assurances in terms of people’s health and environment protection were given to the local inhabitants.

The President of the Republic explained that “without sufficient knowledge of the potential of our underground gas, oil and shale gas, it will not be possible to map out future steps for the smooth development of our country.”

This makes the southern region of In Salah worthy of “a full recognition and gratitude, and benefit from measures and plans designed to improve the living conditions of its population and to ensure a quality change to hike it up to a level of development similar to that prevailing in the north of the country, he emphasized.”

In this connection, the head of state urged the region’s people “to favour wisdom and reason” because, he said, “preserving the health of citizens and their environment is the red line that neither the state nor other party can cross.”

President Bouteflika further lashed out at some ill-advised political opposition parties which are seeking to use the shale gas issue to serve their own interests by striving to fuel tensions through covert “manipulations” of the residents of the south over this outstanding file.

The head of state severely castigated these political parties for wantonly engaging in what he called a “scorched earth policy” in a desperate attempt to reach power despite the nefarious repercussions entailed by such a blameworthy move on the stability of the state and the unity and cohesion of the nation.

With regard to the recent painful events which jolted Ghardaia, the President of the Republic Abdelaziz Bouteflika asserted that the southern province of Ghardaia which went through difficult ordeals, should now recover the security, tranquility and serenity of yesteryear.

“Ghardaia experienced many adverse trials and so many vicissitudes. What Ghardaia suffered from, bruised our hearts”, he affirmed. “It’s high time it revived the security, tranquility and serenity of yesteryear as this region of Algeria has been, historically, a haven of coexistence, tolerance and mutual understanding and a symbol of harmony and cultural blend,” President Bouteflika underlined in his message.

Referring to the tragic events the province witnessed in recent years, involving two components of its population, he rejected any “discrimination between any Algerian and another one, notably between the Malikis and their Ibadhite brothers, as a case in point.”

“My true commitment to the unity and cohesion of the Algerian nation is matched only by my firm commitment to safeguarding the territorial integrity of our country,” he added.
      
President Bouteflika further expressed the strong determination of the state to steadfastly pursue efforts in a bid to restore calm and quietude in the whole province of Ghardaia.

The President of the Republic Abdelaziz Bouteflika also paid a vibrant tribute to the People’s National Army (ANP) and the other national security bodies “who duly ensure the security of our borders” and “track down terrorists.”

“I pay a deserved tribute to all civil servants, institutions and administrations, to the brave elements of the People’s National Army, its officers, non-commissioned officers, soldiers and the different security bodies who ensure the security of our borders or track down and eliminate terrorists,” the head of State said in his message marking “Victory Day”.

“A well-deserved homage must also be paid to all State employees, in all sectors, who contribute to its construction, promotion of national economy and preservation of the Algerian people’s interests”, he added.

President Bouteflika also hailed the Algerian citizens who, he said, are aware of the challenges our country has to meet, and who strive to give a solid boost to the development process in all fields of endeavour in order to secure the nation’s welfare, progress and prosperity.