Review of Moroccan dailies issued on March 6

Al Massae:

Abdelilah Benkirane: “We will not allow setting fire to State vehicles” and “employment will not be based on the criterion of seniority in protest”. The Head of Government said he was “irritated” by some strikes and protests, given that trade unions and civil society actors have not given the government enough time and have not requested dialogue with it.

Dozens of cases of misappropriation of public funds in Marrakech referred to Justice Minister Mustafa Ramid: The Minister will meet a delegation of the national body for the protection of public funds to inform him on cases of corrupt practices and abuse of power in Marrakech.

The Youth of the Justice and Development Party (PJD) call for social issues to be addressed far from any security approach. A press release from the youth of PJD calls on the government and the bodies concerned to address all social problems based on a comprehensive, integrated approach, a participatory methodology and dialogue away from the security approach.

Akhbar Al Yaoum Al Maghribia:

The allies of the PJD concerned about a potential landslide victory of the PJD in the upcoming local elections.

After transport grants, Abdelaziz Rebbah prepares to unveil the list of beneficiaries of sandpits: The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport is collecting data relating to quarrying, especially sandpits.

The former CEO of Crédit Immobilier et Hôtelier (CIH) says he does not know of the decision banning him from leaving the country.

The preparatory committee of the 7th Congress of the PJD begins its work in the absence of the main party leaders. The committee will hold its meeting on Wednesday to agree on the working methodology.

Assabah:

The Minister of Equipment and Transport, Abdelaziz Rebbah, prepares to unveil the list of beneficiaries of sandpit grants: Abdelilah Benkirane received the go-ahead to go farther in handling the issue of rent-seeking in all its forms. The new list is said to include names of former ministers, political party leaders, soldiers and authority agents.

The law on strikes and trade unions will be submitted before the end of the year: Minister of Employment and Training, Abdelouahed Souhail, pledges to bring to existence the bill on procedures relating to the exercise of the right to strike and on trade unions before the end of 2012.

Karim Ghellab reneges on his decision to deduct from salaries of MPs: MPs hold on to their pay from the date of their election and the speaker of the House submits to their pressures.

Elections postpone appointment of walis and governors: Sources from the Interior Ministry say the ministry is not considering new appointments of walis and governors in this juncture marked by a busy schedule including local, professional and regional elections scheduled for next summer.

Al Khabar:

Abdelaziz Rebbah sets up a roadmap to combat anarchical exploitation of sandpits: The Ministry of Equipment and Transport is preparing a detailed report on the meeting chaired by Abdelaziz Rebbah with central, regional and provincial directors to fight anarchical, uncontrolled exploitation of sandpits.

Ministers sign the “Call in favour of injustice victims” petition: The Minister of Justice and Freedoms, Mustafa Ramid, and Communications Minister, government spokesman Mustapha El Khalfi, are among signatories, who number 120 Moroccan and foreign personalities. The document calls for the page of outstanding issues of serious human rights abuses in Morocco to be turned.

Abdelkrim Benatik calls on Ulema board to respond to recent statements by Abdelilah Benkirane who called secular people a “group rallied to the devil”, which is, for him, an incitement to kill them.

Mmebers of the Authenticity and Modernity party (PAM) threaten to resign if their party enters into an alliance with the USFP. Sources within the party say that several PAM militants have threatened to resign should that happen.

Discontent among fisheries professionals who strongly criticized Aziz Akhennouch for his decision to propose Zakia Darouich for the post of Secretary-General of the Ministry.

Al Ahdath Al Maghribia:

The government is preparing to draw up the law on regionalization after the adoption of the Appropriation Bill. The Minister of General Affairs and Governance Mohamed Najib Boulif says that after the adoption of the Appropriation Bill, a date will be set to examine the organic law on advanced regionalization.

The government is preparing to disclose the list of beneficiaries of sandpit grants. The Minister of Equipment and Transportation is working on sandpit grants, and the list of beneficiaries of those grants may be unveiled in the coming days.

Annahar al Maghribia:

The government is preparing to adopt the Appropriation Bill 2012 in a record time: The Head of Government Abdelilah Benkirane will submit the Bill to Parliament next week and a special session for its review and adoption may be held during this month.

Al Ittihad Al Ichtiraki:

The government’s confusion in defining powers postpones submission of the Appropriation Bill. According to sources close to the government, the delay in submitting the Bill to Parliament is due primarily to failure to promulgate decrees defining the powers of ministers and several departments and institutions under their supervision.

Files of faculties of Tangier, Nador and Beni Mellal before courts. The Minister of Higher Education, Executive Training and Scientific Research decided to bring the deans of the three faculties to justice for administrative and financial irregularities.

Al Alam:

New data on financial irregularities with the airport company (ONDA): A report of the Audit Court speaks of purchase orders signed by persons who are not entitled to do so, and who are still in office without being prosecuted.

The  issue of Western nationals kidnapped since six months in the Tindouf camps: The Algerian intelligence thwarts the conclusion of an agreement for the release of an Italian hostage after the Italian government has agreed to pay a ransom to the group “Al Jihad Wa Tawhid in West Africa” responsible for the kidnapping of the Italian woman.

Bayane Al Yaoum:

Gajmoula Ment Abbi, member of the PPS political bureau: “The grant I received cost me more than it yielded to me.” She also said she is not responsible for aspects of corruption plaguing the country and called for publishing the list of beneficiaries of fishing and quarries grants as well as any other form of rent-seeking.

Al Mounaataf:

The Moroccan Companies’ Confederation (CGEM) agrees to contribute to the national social solidarity fund provided that contributions are “fair” and “of a limited duration” and without hindrance to companies’ competitiveness.

Meeting between Minister of Transport and the sector’s professionals: The latter are not satisfied with the Minister Abdelaziz Rebbah’s promises, and strikes loom large.

Assahrae Al Maghribia:

The CIH issue: the Judicial police are awaiting the Prosecution’s go-ahead to start investigating former CEO of CIH, Khalid Alioua and 12 other defendants.

A commission of inquiry composed of Human Rights actors to investigate incidents of Taza. The commission, which consists of 18 bodies, will hear the detainees’ families and city officials.

Le Soir Echos:

Controversy over the publication of the first list of beneficiaries of transport grants continues to swell. While the Transport Ministry has taken the first step and wants to demonstrate “a willingness for transparency,” what about the other ministries concerned by grants related to more sensitive areas?

Aujourd’huil Le Maroc:

Trade unions eye elections: Open battle over 20 seats in the House of Councillors between the five unions, though the date of the next election is not yet known.

Le Matin du Sahara et du Maghreb:

Fight against illiteracy: The literacy rate has increased by 13 pct. The Education Ministry reports that the illiteracy rate was reduced to 30 pc of the population aged over 10 years. This rate was 43 pct in 2004. The improvement illustrates the Kingdom’s efforts through various programs which benefited 5 million people.

L’Economiste:

CIH case: Alioua put on probation. A judicial inquiry is being led by the Prosecutor against Khalid Alioua, former CEO of the bank and about fifty others.

Rebbah declares war on sandpit grants after disclosure of transport grants.

Libération:

The decision to publish the list of beneficiaries of transport grants was not taken in the cabinet meeting. The PPS leader and member of the government Nabil Benabdellah has publicly criticized publication of the list.