Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit revealed in a written response to Parliament cases of fraud involving contractors and authority agents in the post-earthquake reconstruction of Al Haouz.
These irregularities, which directly affect the victims, give rise to a series of disciplinary and legal sanctions, intended to guarantee justice and transparency, indicates the magazine Finances News Hebdo.
The investigation revealed several cases of fraud. An entrepreneur based in Douar Bouzouq (commune of Aït Mellou) was identified for having defrauded 14 beneficiaries from the Tighzout douar (commune of Imgdal) and 4 others from the Tinmel douar (commune of Talat N’Yaakoub).
«The contracts signed with these beneficiaries were not respected: the promised works were not completed and technical standards were ignored. Alerted, the local authorities ordered the contractor to complete the work in accordance with standards or reimburse the amounts collected. Arrested in Aït Melloul by the Royal Gendarmerie, he faces legal proceedings», we write.
Other cases have been recorded. An entrepreneur residing in Douar Tassa Ouirkan (commune of Ouirgane) is wanted for not having honored his commitments to the inhabitants of Douar Al Arab (commune of Asni).
A third entrepreneur, originally from Béni Mellal, also failed in his obligations towards 9 beneficiaries from the Tinzart, Mrigha Aloulia and Laâzib douars.
Victims were encouraged to file individual complaints, to “breach of trust» et «non-compliant work».
«The question of the involvement of agents of authority, in particular a boss, was raised. If no direct mention of the boss was made in the complaints concerning the first contractor, two auxiliaries of authority were heard and denied having recommended this contractor. They would have simply provided information and monitored the progress of the work as part of the acceleration of the reconstruction process. In another case, a moqaddem from Douar Mrigha is accused of having extorted sums of money from citizens in exchange for promises of intervention to facilitate access to aid. He was relieved of his duties on December 2, 2024», we write again.
Abdelouafi Laftit assured that strict disciplinary measures will be taken against any agent or entrepreneur involved in fraudulent practices. “Local authorities are closely monitoring this matter, to preserve citizens’ rights, avoid delays in reconstruction and guarantee transparency.“, declared the Minister of the Interior in a response to the deputies of Parliament.
Par Walid Ayadi
01/05/2025 at 7:35 p.m.
