“February 24 marks, as every year, a memorable milestone for the nation.” This is what President of the Republic Abdelmadjid Tebboune stated in a solemn message on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the creation of the General Union of Algerian Workers (UGTA) and the 55th anniversary of the nationalization of hydrocarbons.
In this message, read by Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb, who is on a working and inspection visit to the Oran province, the President of the Republic recalled the historical importance of this dual commemoration of these events. Mr. Tebboune thus highlighted the active participation of Algerian workers in the struggle for independence and their role in consolidating the Algerian state, particularly in economic sectors and during the phases of national construction.
The President of the Republic did not fail, on this point, to pay tribute to the founders of the UGTA and the generations of unionists who defended the interests of the country and the workers, citing in particular the sacrifice of cadres and militants who fell in service to the nation, like the martyr Abdelhak Ben Hamouda.
On this occasion, the President recalled that this “major historical decision” will remain engraved in the memory of Algerians, who will remember with pride the challenge met by engineers, technicians, and specialists to ensure the continuity of production in the energy sector after the proclamation of sovereignty over our national wealth on February 24, 1971.
These cadres were, according to Mr. Tebboune, “an example for subsequent generations of sector professionals and continue to play an essential role at all stages of the oil and gas value chain, from exploration to production, including transportation and marketing.” “Thanks to their efforts, commercial energy production has been multiplied: Algeria is today the world’s seventh largest gas exporter, the third supplier to the European market, and has the third largest oil reserves in Africa,” he declared.
The head of state also emphasized that these successes rest on the competence and training of current workers, capable of continuing the development of oil and gas reserves and strengthening local processing industries.
“Past achievements, those underway, and those planned testify to the workers’ confidence in the country’s development project and the effectiveness of our economic and social policies,” declared President Tebboune, expressing his recognition to all women and men engaged in implementing major national projects and citing the recent launch of a western mining railway line, a symbol of the concrete implementation of local and national structuring policies.
On the anniversary of the foundation of the General Union of Algerian Workers, the President of the Republic took the opportunity to extend his “greetings to all workers, and particularly to the cadres, leaders, and employees of the hydrocarbons sector, who are continuing the work undertaken by their predecessors following the announcement of the nationalization of hydrocarbons, drawing strength and determination from the challenge they had to meet.” The goal, according to the head of state, is to develop the sector and strengthen its capacities.
It should be noted that the Prime Minister was accompanied by the State Minister for Hydrocarbons and Mines, Mohamed Arkab; the Minister of Finance, Abdelkrim Bouzred; the Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies, Mourad Adjal; as well as the Minister of Labor, Employment, and Social Security, Abdelhak Saihi, in addition to the General Secretary of the UGTA, Amar Takdjout.
The program for this visit includes the inspection of energy sector-related projects, as part of following up on the implementation of development programs and strengthening the investment dynamic.