MP Benazza questions government on denial of building permits to Silwan and Nador residents
Oriental Eco
MP Fatima Benazza, a member of the Independent Unity and Equilibrium Team in the House of Representatives, submitted a written question to the Minister of National Land Preparation, Construction, Housing and City Policy, regarding the denial of building permits to a number of citizens in the Salwan community in particular and the city of Nador in general due to the minimum size requirement for land parcels. This parliamentary action on October 27, 2025, comes in response to the increasing suffering of residents in light of the strict application of regulatory requirements, which raises questions about the suitability of these conditions to the social and urban reality in the eastern region.
Citizens' struggles with regulatory requirements
In her question, the MP pointed out that the oversight role exercised by the legislative institution indicates that the application of regulatory requirements has led to the denial of building permits to a number of citizens in the Silwan community and the city of Nador. This concerns citizens who own land plots of less than 90 square meters, although many of them own areas ranging from 89 to 80 square meters, without the prior knowledge of those concerned. This situation has caused a state of discontent among citizens, especially low-income people who bought these plots in order to build primary residences for their families, in full respect of the legal procedures when they acquired these properties.
The Problem of Rigid Application of Laws
Benazza stressed that the rigid application of certain regulatory requirements without taking into account the social dimension and the local urban reality may lead in practice to encourage the phenomena of unauthorized and random construction, which is contrary to the principles of good governance and sound urban planning stipulated in the laws in force. Specifically, she referred to Law No. 12.90 on construction and Law No. 25.90 on real estate subdivisions, residential groups and subdivision of real estate, both of which govern this field.
Parliamentary demands for realistic solutions
The MP asked the minister to reveal the practical measures and facilitation measures that the ministry intends to take to address this situation and enable citizens to obtain building permits according to a realistic and flexible approach that takes into account the social nature of housing and the conditions of the inhabitants of Salwan in particular and Nador in general. This parliamentary question reflects an urgent need to find a balance between regulatory controls and the constitutional right to decent housing, within a framework that takes into account local specificities and the purchasing power of citizens in the eastern region.
