Sellal hurries ministers to achieve Bouteflika’s program

Algeria’s Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal started assessing public investments situation and asked ministers concerned by development projects to prepare detailed reports about their achievement.

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika allocated $286 billion to public investments. Health minister said in his presentation that his department took up 20 percent only of the allocated money. Transport minister Ammar Tou is expected to make his presentation on Wednesday, Echorouk has learnt.

Sellal has heard periodical detailed presentations from ministers about public investments including infrastructures, roads, houses, transportation, hospitals and schools meant to improve people’s living level.

According to sources, most of the presentations showed delays in some projects which were supposed to be achieved between 2010 and 2014. The prime minister made immediate decisions about a number of sectors. He ordered to reduce banking accounts opening procedures and gave the go-ahead to health minister to equip hospitals. He also authorized housing minister to use mutual agreement formula to grant housing projects and get the help of foreign companies to catch up the delay.

Sellal is racing against time a year before the assessment deadline. The president and his cabinet will have to present appraisal of development projects to public opinion.