Speaking at the House of Representatives (lower house) on the occasion of the monthly public policy session, El Otmani said that, since their return to the motherland, these regions have witnessed a comprehensive renaissance at the various economic and social levels, particularly in terms of infrastructure and basic social services, noting that “no comparison can be made between what these territories were like when they were recovered and what they are now."

In this regard, the Head of Government pointed out that Morocco, following the royal instructions, "gives priority to the southern regions that are dear to us, through investments and major development projects, which are the best answer to the obsolete thesis of the separatists that want to separate these regions from the important development dynamic witnessed by all parts of the Kingdom."

Concerning the recent operation to secure Al Guerguarat carried out by the Royal Armed Forces, El Otmani underlined that the separatist elements have isolated themselves from the world, noting that Morocco, following the orders of His Majesty King Mohammed VI has set up a security belt to secure this border crossing point against the infiltration of the separatists.

Securing Al Guerguerat is surely an important stage in the history of the national cause, because it has brought about a qualitative and strategic shift on the ground and in the field, he said, noting that securing this border crossing point contributes to strengthening South-South cooperation.

El Otmani also praised the decision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces, to intervene to stop the separatist militias' destabilizing actions, which lasted for nearly three weeks, thus hampering civil and commercial movement at Al Guerguarat crossing point.

The Head of Government also commended the Royal Armed Forces, which intervened, in implementation of the Royal Orders, with professionalism and peacefully, thus securing the crossing point.

With regard to the development program for the southern provinces (2016-2021), El Otmani affirmed that it is a program aimed at developing the southern regions and enhancing their integration with the rest of the regions by strengthening infrastructure, providing transportation and links with the rest of the Kingdom's regions, in addition to stimulating private investment and supporting enterprises and development projects, while promoting natural resources and preserving the cultural heritage of the region.

The development program for the southern provinces includes program contracts to implement more than 700 projects with an initial total budget of 77 billion dirhams, before raising it later on to 85 billion dirhams. It includes major and structured projects, including the Tiznit-Dakhla highway on 1.055 km (10 billion dirhams), the "Phosboucraa" industrial program in Laayoune (17.8 billion dirhams), as well as the Atlantic port of Dakhla (10 billion dirhams).