Rédaction Africa Links 24 with satarbf
Published on 2024-03-21 16:17:28
This country with limited financial resources has been built, contrary to popular belief, by centers of expertise formed in the wake of independence, often around graduates of prestigious schools (Centrale, pont et chaussées, ENA, sup telecom, INSAE), centers that have been able to shine and regenerate over the decades, transcending the difficulties of the time to be sources of accumulation far from the pitfalls of exclusion and rupture.
President Bourguiba was convinced that independence cannot be sustainable without the construction of an economy capable of generating wealth, improving the standard of living, and guaranteeing the country’s economic and financial sovereignty.
The traces of these centers of expertise are still there, and even more so this country has been thriving since 2011 thanks to the achievements accumulated from these centers.
Those who have never heard of the decade-long strategy of mobilizing water resources conceived in the 1980s, and implemented methodically and continuously.
Those who do not know what implementing this strategy required in terms of continuity, ingenuity, endurance, and financial resources.
Those who are unaware of the technical feat represented by the Sidi el Barrack dam built on clay embankments facing the famous Chatt Ezzouaraa, or the galleries built on the Oued El Barbar dam to ensure its interconnection with the Bouhertma and Sidi Salem dams.
Those who have no idea about the complex of bridges built in the 1990s on the Zeroud river, known to be the most rebellious river in Tunisia, and the residents of Kairouan, especially the older ones, know what they endured for decades due to its unpredictable and rebellious nature.
Those who did not experience the three successive development plans, the 8th (1992-1996), the 9th (1997-2001), and the 10th (2002-2006), which saw the planning and start of the construction of the entire road and highway network of the country that Tunisians benefit from today, as well as all the major projects of the country: the La Goulette/Rades bridge, the city of culture, the Rades sports complex, etc., all major projects initiated with a focus on preparing the future of young generations and building the future of this country.
Those who did not experience the international financial crisis of 2007/2008 cannot know the efforts made by the Central Bank of Tunisia and other administrative structures to prevent the country from the consequences of one of the greatest financial crises of this century.
Those who did not experience all this cannot appreciate the values of Tunisian patriotism and competency that have allowed transcending the conditions and finding ways to advance this resource-poor country.
Many of these builders have departed for a better world – peace be upon their souls. I had the chance to know some of them, from whom I learned a great deal. In the field of economics, I want to mention Lassad Ben Osman, Ali Chaouech, and Ameur Horchani, from whom I not only learned confirmed technical competence but also excellent knowledge of the terrain, the deep history of the country and its regions, and above all, patriotism and a great commitment to this country, its future, and its sovereignty.
No, I refuse to believe that this country will become so unproductive and incapable of building its future by spending its time dealing with daily issues; it is still capable, if the conditions are right, of regenerating itself and creating new centers of competency capable of once again shining this ancient country.
Taoufik Baccar
Read the original article(French) on Tunisie Focus
