Delays to key links for major Algerian highway

Delays are afflicting construction of a new highway that will connect with Algeria’s key East-West highway. The problems focus on the new highway being built to join Béjaïa with the East-West highway. The US$1.02 billion highway project was originally planned for completion by June 2016. However a shortage of construction workers from the local area for the 5,000 or so required means that personnel will have to be recruited from further afield, whether Algeria or neighbouring countries. Delays are also being caused by problems with expropriating land for a 65km stretch of the route as well as processing all the necessary paperwork and finalising the route. In total, 16 towns are affected by the construction work including Amizour, Akbou, Fenaia, Timezrit, Ait R'zine, El Flaye, Amalou, Sedouk, Souk Oufella, Boudjellil, Sidi Ayad, Ouzellaguen, Oued Ghir, Smaoun, Tala Hamza and Béjaïa. There is some concern also that the local authorities are not giving sufficient attention to the project, even though its completion is necessary for work on a planned oil refinery to commence, which is crucial for the economy of the region.