Persons hit by Ghardaia events will be compensated, announces solidarity minister

Minister of National Solidarity, Family and Women’s Affairs, Souâd Bendjaballah, on Saturday announced the restoration of constructions and the compensation of premises owners hit by the events occurred in Ghardaia (600-km south of Algiers) during past weeks."In application of the instructions of Prime Minister, Abdelmalek Sellal, the persons hit by Ghardaia events will be taken care of, Bendjaballah told the National Radio channel I, stressing school books, articles and clothes so to allow them to pursue the lessons in the best conditions."She added that the department "will contribute to the operations of restoration of damaged buildings in coordination with the Housing ministry and local authorities," noting that "96 constructions were set on fire."Concerning the commercial premises damages by the events, Bendjaballah said that the department "will contribute to the compensation to owners in coordination with local authorities as part of the action of a commission made up of representatives of Ministries of solidarity, housing and health."Last Thursday, Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal had received a delegation of the citizens from Ibadi and Maliki communities of Ghardaia so to put an end to the tensions experienced by the province during past weeks.At the end of the meeting, several decisions have been taken for a return to normal, mainly the creation, at the affected communes, of a council of the wise intended to be a "space of arbitration and conciliation" on the basis of "harmonious and peaceful coexistence” which prevailed in this province for long time.