Algerian Radio
The President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, addressed a message on the occasion of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the creation of the General Union of Algerian Workers (UGTA) and the 55th anniversary of the nationalization of hydrocarbons. The message was read by the Prime Minister, Mr. Sifi Ghrieb, who presided yesterday, Tuesday, in Oran over the celebration ceremony of this double anniversary. Here is the translation of full text:
"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On February twenty-fourth (24), as we do every year, we pause to commemorate the double anniversary of the creation of the General Union of Algerian Workers (1956) and the nationalization of hydrocarbons (1971).
On this occasion, we celebrate one of the memorable days in the history of the glorious Liberation Revolution, when Algerian workers proclaimed their adherence to the armed struggle, expressing at that time the momentum of an entire people embracing their grandiose Revolution. Among them were the companions of the emblematic martyr Aissat Idir, the generation of workers and trade unionists who founded one of the strongholds and schools of national commitment. Their example is passed down from generation to generation in the defense of Algeria, as demonstrated by the positions of the trade union organization during the most critical moments.
Is not the tribute paid by the UGTA, through its cadres and leaders martyred for national duty—led by the martyr Abdelhak Benhamouda—the most eloquent significance of patriotism? It illustrates the most sincere images of sacrifice and the most faithful expression of loyalty to the founding pioneers and to the principles and values of the November Message.
On this occasion, we also recall a historic and decisive sovereign decision. Algerians will always remember, with pride, the challenge taken up by engineers, technicians, and agents, with the means at their disposal, to ensure the continuity of production in the energy sector following the announcement, on February 24, 1971, of the recovery of our sovereignty over our national wealth.
They were the ones who set an example for subsequent generations of skills, executives, and workers in the energy sector. They continue, with brilliance, to assume the tasks of controlling the various links in the oil and gas industry value chain, from research and exploration to production, transport, and marketing. Thanks to their efforts, we have been able to double commercial energy production.
Today, we are the seventh-largest gas exporter in the world and the third-largest supplier to the European market, just as we hold the third-largest oil reserves in Africa.
I am convinced that the prospects are promising, thanks to our workers, as well as their qualifications, competence, and experience, to implement the strategy of renewing our oil and gas reserves and developing manufacturing industry projects.
While saluting their efforts and mobilization, in the same spirit as that shown by their predecessors, at this stage where we are working to consecrate the value of effort and work as the engine of the country's sustainable development processes and to encourage skills—especially among our youth—to pursue technical excellence and mastery of technologies, I wish to express my deep appreciation to all the women and men dedicated to the realization of major projects.
The achievements commissioned in recent years, those nearing completion, and those included in the program of projects whose launch is imminent are but proof of their confidence in the trajectory Algeria is taking. All this is merely the materialization of economic and social policies whose fruits and milestones are appearing more clearly every day across the different regions of the country.
It is also a source of satisfaction when we perceive, all together, deep within our dear homeland and among the dignified Algerian people, the feelings of welcome and rejoicing manifested brilliantly on the occasion of the inauguration of the Western mining railway line. This stands, alongside other structuring projects with local and national dimensions, as an affirmation that current national policies are based on the criteria of efficiency and realism, as well as on the correctness of a sovereign political decision.
This is an orientation that expresses the doctrine of the new and victorious Algeria, a doctrine closely linked to the November reference and the legacy of the glorious Liberation Revolution, a pragmatic doctrine, in all respects, in establishing bridges of cooperation and partnership with everyone, on all continents, on the basis of mutual interests and benefits.
I renew my greetings to all workers on the occasion of the anniversary of the founding of the General Union of Algerian Workers, as well as to all leaders, executives, and workers in the hydrocarbons sector, who follow the path traced by their predecessors in the aftermath of the announcement of the decision to nationalize hydrocarbons, and draw from the challenge they took up at the time, the strength and determination to develop the sector and increase its capacities.
Long live Algeria,
Glory and eternity to our valiant martyrs."
