Lhe minister insisted on the integrity of the decision-making process of the committee, made up of around 30 actors from various ministries and administrations, guaranteeing balanced and fair decision-making. He reaffirmed Morocco’s commitment to the rule of law, where government decisions target the national interest rather than particular interests.
Zidane also recalled the strategic importance of the project, initiated in response to the water shortage and the series of droughts that the country is experiencing. The project, which cost 6.5 billion dirhams, was launched after multiple delays since its announcement in 2009.
Regarding tax advantages, the minister specified that the project, like any other exceeding 50 million dirhams, benefits from customs and VAT exemptions, in accordance with Moroccan tax legislation of 1995.
The winning bid, led by a Spanish company recognized for its expertise in desalination (Acciona, editor’s note), was chosen for its operational excellence and cost efficiency, continued the minister. Zidane concluded by emphasizing the transparency and credibility of the tender process.
The Casablanca-Settat desalination plant affair, which has sparked strong criticism and accusations of conflict of interest against the head of the Moroccan government Aziz Akhannouch, concerns a major contract for the construction and operation of a seawater desalination plant. The project was awarded in November 2023 to a consortium including Afriquia Gaz and Green of Africa, two subsidiaries of the Akwa group, majority owned by the Akhannouch family, in collaboration with the Spanish company Acciona.
-This market, won following a financially competitive offer of 4.50 dirhams per cubic meter, was contested by political and public actors who pointed out a potential conflict of interest, given Akhannouch’s position both as head of government and majority shareholder of the group benefiting from the contract. The project, which is the largest of its kind in North Africa, aims to provide drinking water to more than six million people in the Casablanca-Settat region.
On December 6, 2023, the PJD parliamentary group officially contacted the National Instance for Integrity, Prevention and the Fight against Corruption (INPPLC) to examine the subject, arguing that “morally, the head of government should not invest in sectors that he directs”.
At that time, Abdellah Bouanou, then head of the parliamentary group of the Justice and Development Party (PJD), affirmed that there was an obvious conflict of interest in the award of this contract. For his part, Mohamed Chaouki, RNI deputy, defended the head of government by denying any conflict of interest.
Article 36 of the Constitution states that “Offences relating to conflicts of interest, insider trading and all financial offenses are punishable by law. Public authorities are required to prevent and repress, in accordance with the law, all forms of delinquency linked to the activity of administrations and public bodies, to the use of funds at their disposal, to the award and management of contracts. public. Peddling in influence and privileges, abuse of dominant position and monopoly, and all other practices contrary to the principles of free and fair competition in economic relations, are punishable by law.”
