News from Algeria 2007

[Al-khiyal]

Un accident de la route survenu avant-hier en plein centre-ville d’Oran a coûté la vie à sept personnes, toutes jeunes. Le drame a eu lieu pas loin du pont Zabana, un axe routier reliant l’ancien centre-ville aux quartiers d’Essedikia et Courbet.

Parmi les victimes, on relève quatre filles de la même famille: deux sœurs et deux de leurs cousines. Il s’agit des filles et parentes de Tayeb Mahiaoui, président du club l’ASMO et représentant de Peugeot à Oran. L’une est âgée de dix-huit ans et l’autre de vingt-cinq.

Une troisième, gravement blessée lors de cet accident, se trouve actuellement aux urgences du CHU Oran. Un autre parent, le chauffeur, âgé de trente-trois ans, a lui aussi succombé dans ce drame. Un couple qui se trouvait dans la voiture qui s’est télescopée avec celle transportant les membres de la famille Mahiaoui a également trouvé la mort.

On ignore les circonstances exactes de cet accident, mais, selon plusieurs témoignages, un des deux véhicules a dérapé en emportant dans son sillage le second. Très tôt dans la matinée d’avant-hier, la nouvelle de ce drame a fait le tour de la ville.

Avec ce nouveau drame, la sécurité au niveau de cet axe routier menant notamment à l’hôtel Sheraton se pose avec insistance.

Tragique accident de la route en plein centre-ville d’Oran : Le président de l’ASMO perd deux de ses filles

Cinq morts et trois blessés, dont un dans un état grave, est le bilan d’un accident de la circulation produit samedi dernier à 20 h, près du pont Zabana, en allant vers l’hôtel Sheraton. Une collision entre deux véhicules est à l’origine de cet accident mortel, indiquent les services de la Protection civile. La première voiture, une Peugeot 206, ayant 5 passagers à bord, dont 4 ont rendu l’âme sur le coup.

Il s’agit de deux filles de Mehiaoui, le président de l’ASMO, âgées de 17 et 19 ans, et de deux cousines à elles, âgées de 19 et 30 ans. La troisième fille de Mehiaoui est dans le coma. Deux hommes de 50 et 22 ans qui étaient à bord du deuxième véhicule, une Renault Espace, apprend-on encore auprès de ces services, ont été blessés. Les services de la Protection civile indiquent également la mort d’un piéton, qui a été percuté lors de cet accident. Il y a lieu de signaler qu’aucune indication n’a été fournie sur l’identité du chauffeur de la Peugeot 206.

Oran: Cinq morts et trois blessés dans un accident

[Al-khiyal]

31 accused in El Khalifa affair put into custody

[Al-khiyal]

Algerian ambassador in Britain: Abdelmoumen Khalifa to be extradited to Algeria soon

[Al-khiyal]

The National Automobile Inspectorate (ENACTA) has announced that beginning January 1st, all private vehicles will be subject to compulsory inspections. Car inspections are one of a number of measures being introduced in the country to cut road accidents. Other requirements include wearing seatbelts and banning the use of mobile phones while driving.

"From January 1st 2007 onwards, all private vehicles will be subject to compulsory periodic tests of roadworthiness at intervals established by current regulations," an ENACTA communiqué said. Motorists have been given until March 31st to comply with the new law.

Inspection centres have been inundated with vehicles since the announcement. The Ministry of Transportation has set up 114 centres - open between 6:30am and 6pm - across 46 wilayas to carry out the inspections.

Bus driver Ali Mebarki says it takes 20 minutes to inspect a vehicle. He said he doubts that the inspection authorities will be "able to deal with more than four million or so vehicles [and complete all the necessary inspections on time]".

There are six stages to an inspection: identification of the vehicle, testing the steering, the brakes, road adhesion, lights and signals, and pollution and noise levels. Heads of inspection centres are confident that they will be able to complete the exercise by the March deadline, but believe that the decision to limit the daily quota of vehicles to 32 or 33 per inspection line gives them little leeway.

Inspections first became compulsory in February 2003 and were phased in gradually for different categories and ages of vehicle. They now apply to all types of vehicles, regardless of age.

Owners of new cars argue that their expensive new vehicles are still under warranty. Mohamed Laksaci, a taxi driver who has just bought a Hyundai for nearly $10,000, is annoyed by the move. "I don’t see why it should apply to new vehicles unless cars imported by dealers don’t meet safety standards," he said.

The transport ministry says that those who do not comply with the new law will be liable to penalties including fines of $20-$70 and immediate impounding of their vehicles. They could also receive prison sentences of 2-6 months.

Motorists receive a report as proof that they have had their car inspected. Blue stickers are given to cars judged to be roadworthy, while a pink sticker means the driver must bring the car back for a follow-up inspection within either 15 or 30 days. If the vehicle is still found unsuitable, it is taken off the road on the spot. The cost of an inspection is between $10 and $35.

Car inspections become mandatory in Algeria

[Al-khiyal]

Algeria's National People Assembly and the Portuguese National Assembly signed a co-operation agreement for strengthening parliamentary relations on Saturday (January 6th) in Algiers. The document was signed by Algerian Parliament President Amar Saadani and Portuguese Parliament head Jaime Jose Matos Da Gama, who arrived Saturday for a three-day visit to Algeria. "We strive for the strengthening of relations between our two countries and promote mutually profitable exchanges," Da Gama said upon his arrival.

Algeria, Portugal sign parliamentary co-operation agreement

[Al-khiyal]

Algeria launched an exploration licensing round for 18 metals and mineral mining sites on Saturday (January 6th), as part of government efforts to attract foreign investment to the non-oil sector and to develop country's mining sector, according to Energy and Mines Minister Chakib Khelil. Algeria signed two mining exploration contracts last week that were won in a tender launched in mid-2006 by Chinese company Shaolin. According to the official figures, Algeria produced 1.5m tonnes of iron ore and 878,000 tonnes of phosphates in 2005. "Algeria has a rich geology. We have a strong mining potential. There are many elements that help develop the mining sector in Algeria," National Agency of Geology and Mining Control Chairman Mohamed Mouloud Bendali said.

Algeria launches metal, mineral mines exploration licensing round

[Al-khiyal]

Pris en flagrant délit de corruption, le directeur régional de la Sonelgaz de Tipasa écroué à Oran