The northern governorate of Bizerte is launching an ambitious infrastructure offensive, headlined by a planned new-generation deep-water port, in a bid to unlock its significant economic and tourism potential and address stark internal development disparities.
The announcement was made by Abdelatif Hamid, the regional director of development, who outlined a comprehensive strategy tied to the national five-year plan. The flagship project is a proposed third- or fourth-generation deep-water port designed to accommodate large vessels and serve as a major catalyst for the local economy.
“This ambitious project is part of the five-year development plan, developed through a process that spans from the local to the national level,” Hamid stated.
Despite possessing formidable assets—over 200 km of coastline, vast forests, and unique sites like La Galite Island and the Ichkeul National Park—the region grapples with uneven development. Hamid highlighted the sharp contrast between the economic hubs of Tinja and Mateur, the agriculturally-dependent eastern coast, and the lagging western areas of Sejnane, Joumine, and Ghezala, which have “the lowest development indicators and require urgent intervention.”
A Multi-Pronged Development Push
To tackle these inequalities, the governorate is deploying a wide array of projects focused on resource development and sustainability. Key initiatives include:
- Major Infrastructure: The fixed connection for the Bizerte port, a crucial €250 million (880 million dinar) drawbridge or tunnel project, is slated for completion in 2027.
- Water and Sanitation: A €100 million (330 million dinar) project aims to achieve 97% water supply coverage in rural areas. Concurrently, sewerage networks are being rehabilitated and new wastewater treatment plants are under construction in Sejnane, Utique, and Keraa El Mebtouh.
- Environmental Protection: A dedicated program is underway to depollute Lake Bizerte and reduce long-standing industrial contamination.
- Healthcare Expansion: A new maternity center and three emergency departments are being built in Bizerte city, alongside a health center in the underserved delegation of Ghezala.
Overcoming Obstacles
The natural gas supply project, a key utility upgrade, is progressing in phases, though Hamid acknowledged the second phase faces “technical and administrative difficulties.” He assured that a regional commission, chaired by the Governor of Bizerte, is actively working to overcome bureaucratic and logistical hurdles to ensure these transformative projects stay on track.
The success of this vast development plan is seen as critical to not only boosting Bizerte’s regional profile but also ensuring that growth benefits all of its citizens.
TunisianMonitorOnline (Editorial Staff)
