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The Justice and Development Party (PJD) has once again renewed concerns about the consecutive price increases in fuel, stressing the issue’s direct impact on Moroccans’ purchasing power.
Citing “the absence of any government measures,” PJD deputies Nadia Al Kansouri and Naima Al Fathazi addressed written questions to the government, calling for uncovering the reasons behind the continued increases.
“Moroccans experienced an extremely hot summer by all measures, with fuel prices being a major contributor to chaotic increases that exceeded the bi-monthly review, just before the September hike, which seemed unjustified for all Moroccans,” Al Kansouri wrote.
The PJD politician also demanded an explanation from the Ministry of Energy Transition, all the while asking whether the government and particularly the minister “believes that Moroccans’ standard of living can bear the significant impact of these price hikes.”
Al Fathaoui, on her part, addressed a question to the Ministry of Economy, pointing out that fuel companies have exerted three consecutive price hikes in ten days.
She stressed that such increases came despite reports from the Competition Council confirming violations of the law by many fuel companies, warning that such acts are against regulations under article 6 concerning competition in markets and prices.
Read also: Fuel Price in Morocco Hikes for 4th Time in Less Than One Month
The written letters to the government attributed the situation to inaction from the cabinet to take proactive measures to “combat the corrupt behavior of fuel companies.”
In August, the council shared a statement, pointing out the presence of numerous dysfunctions in the hydrocarbons sector.
The council said that it has “sufficiently convincing evidence” on the presence of anti-competitive practices committed by nine companies operating in the industry.
Price increases in fuel as well as other commodities like food have been causing concerns among citizens for several months.
This is not the first time that the PJD condemns the increase in food and fuel prices.
In February, president of the party’s parliamentary group Abdellah Bouaou accused the government of its “direct involvement in normalizing corruption.”
“We are insisting on inspecting and monitoring citizens, merchants, butchers, among others while we aren’t taking care of the source of such challenges,” he said, stressing the existence of “conflict of interest” within the government.
