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Rabat – The Moroccan Association for Protection of Public Funds (AMPBP) called for “an extensive investigation” to be launched into some energy companies’ manipulation of gas prices.
Following a routine meeting of the association’s national bureau, a statement requested “the opening of an extensive investigation regarding accusations of some companies’ manipulation of fossil fuel prices.”
The AMPBP drew attention to accusations that some companies have been importing gas from Russia, which cost well below the international fixed prices and forging documents and receipts to then resell it at higher prices.
The statement described the practice as “a clear exploitation of the economic and social crisis to make huge profits.”
Member of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) Abdelkader Taher recently called for a similar investigation, expressing concerns about the potential manipulation in the energy market.
“Some companies that import energy products to supply the national market have started importing Russian diesel as it is 70% cheaper compared to international fixed prices. The Russian diesel prices do not exceed $170 per tonne,” the politician said.
The MP accused said companies of forging receipts and documents to signify that the resources came from gulf countries or the US, in order to make “staggering revenues” from selling to the end consumer.
He also suggested that staff and managers of Morocco’s ports are complicit in the activity.
The issue is particularly notable in light of the continuous increase in fuel prices over the past year. Since the war in Ukraine started in February 2022, Moroccans have found their purchasing power severely limited by a high increase in prices for energy and fuel.
The increase and frustration led to campaigns against the sitting government, particularly calling for Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch to resign.
The AMPBP, which focuses its activity on fighting corruption and the embezzlement of public funds in the country, called out what they saw as a growing prevalence of corruption and bribery in the country, in their latest statement.
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recently took Morocco off its grey list. While the association celebrated Morocco’s removal from the list, which indicated higher risks of money laundering, they also suggested that corruption and bribery are becoming more common in Morocco.
The association demanded the implementation of a “multi-dimensional national strategy” to fight corruption, and called on the Ministry of Interior to “abandon double standards in the application of the law.”
