Monument operations in memory of the victims of the Al Haouz and Taroudant earthquake
This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
Heba Press – Abdel Latif Baraka
Areas affected by the Al Haouz earthquake, which struck large areas of Morocco in September 2023, witnessed major humanitarian disasters due to widespread destruction of housing and public facilities.
But in addition to this natural tragedy, other problems have emerged that aggravate the suffering of those affected, represented by fraud and manipulation carried out by some entrepreneurs who have exploited the tragic circumstances and situations of the victims to achieve illegal gains.
The Minister of the Interior, Abdel Wafi Laftit, revealed the involvement of three contractors in these operations, which sparked a wave of dissatisfaction and concern about the integrity and transparency of the reconstruction operations.
Entrepreneurs involved in fraud
The Minister of the Interior announced the details of the involvement of the three contractors who did not respect their contracts with the beneficiaries of the reconstruction of their homes in the areas of Zelal Al Haouz and Taroudant.
The first contractor of the Bouzouk Ait Mellou roundabout violated contracts with 18 beneficiaries in the Taghazout and Tinmel roundabouts, as he did not complete the works as agreed, ignoring the agreed technical standards.
The second contractor, who worked at the Arab roundabout in the Asni community, also violated his obligations to the people concerned and was sought by the courts after a search warrant was issued against him.
As for the third entrepreneur, he ignored his contracts with nine beneficiaries from Douawir Taghzret, Mrigga Al-Oula and Al-Azib.
Forensic investigations and anti-fraud measures
In response to these shameful acts, the Moroccan authorities were quick to take strict measures, opening extensive investigations to bring the public prosecutor against the entrepreneurs involved.
One of the entrepreneurs was arrested by the Royal Gendarmerie in Ait Melloul, while others are still being prosecuted under search warrants.
The authorities also called on those affected by the fraudulent operations to file individual complaints with the public prosecutor to ensure that their rights are restored and that the manipulators are held accountable for their actions.
In an important step to ensure the integrity and transparency of the reconstruction process, a special inspection committee has been appointed to monitor the progress of the projects in Al Haouz and Taroudant provinces.
This committee will ensure that contractors respect contract terms and technical standards, in addition to investigating any cases of corruption or manipulation that could affect the rights of victims.
The role of the public prosecutor in investigations
It is expected that the Ministry of the Interior will refer the case for investigations to be carried out by the competent public prosecutor, which is an important step in ensuring that those involved are held accountable for their actions in the event of a violation of people’s rights. concerned.
After it was revealed that some subcontractors were involved in fraudulent operations, it became necessary to take legal action by expediting legal procedures to ensure that victims would not fall prey to exploitation.
The public prosecutor is also called upon to investigate the role of certain local officials who could have participated in or facilitated these operations, which raises questions about the role of the authorities in monitoring the progress of reconstruction operations.
The Inspection Committee: a step towards accountability for everyone
The appointment of an inspection committee for the two regions concerned is a positive step towards ensuring transparency and preventing any potential corruption that could undermine the rights of those affected.
The committee will be responsible for monitoring all contractors with whom a contract has been concluded, verifying the quality of the works and the extent to which the contractors comply with deadlines and technical controls.
This measure is crucial to building trust between the government and affected citizens, who rely on the state to rebuild their lives and homes.
Future challenges
Although these measures are an important step to remedy the situation, the greater challenge is to ensure continuity of project monitoring and compliance with legal and technical standards throughout their implementation period.
This may not be the only problem authorities need to tackle, as many projects still require constant monitoring to combat corruption and fraud.
The issue of contractors involved in fraudulent operations against those affected by the Al Haouz and Taroudant earthquakes reflects a painful picture of the conditions that can accompany reconstruction operations in the absence of strict monitoring.
However, thanks to judicial investigations and the appointment of an inspection committee for the two affected regions, these incidents could represent a turning point towards improving the level of transparency and integrity in the management of public projects.
It remains urgent to take decisive measures to guarantee the rights of those affected and put an end to any attempt at manipulation or exploitation, so as not to worsen their suffering and situation.
