Conflict of Interest? Akhannouch Faces Backlash Over Desalination Deal

Rabat – Head of the Moroccan government Aziz Akhannouch is facing strong criticism over a large desalination project in the Casablanca-Settat region. The opposition, notably members of the Justice and Development Party (PJD), have accused him of a conflict of interest because a company he is connected to won the contract for the project. 

The PJD released a statement today announcing a press conference at its central headquarters on Thursday to provide more details on what it described as a “political scandal.” The aim, it said, is to inform the public about the seriousness of the matter and its impact on the credibility of political institutions and fair competition in the national economy.

The debate began during the monthly accountability session in the Moroccan Parliament on Monday, with Akhannouch facing strong criticism over the project. He defended the deal, saying it was fair and transparent, but the opposition argued he should not have been involved due to his business ties with the bidding company. They also criticized his responses to other issues and his overall handling of government matters.

Akhannouch responded by saying the process was transparent and that the company won the contract because it was the best choice. He criticized the opposition and accused them of spreading false claims that undermine confidence in the state and its processes.

Businessman or government leader?

However, the opposition, especially PJD members, argued that Akhannouch failed to address the conflict of interest and acted more like a businessman than a head of government. 

The session became heated after Akhannouch criticized members of the opposition for spreading what he called “false claims.” His comments sparked chaos in the room, with shouts and arguments erupting. Some opposition members started yelling “liar, liar.”

In his response to Naima Fattahawi, a member of Parliament from PJD, Akhannouch defended the project. “I won’t remain silent about this, and one day I will speak about it for the record,” he said. “You are from Agadir, it wouldn’t hurt to ask who is Ahmed Oulhaj Akhannouch, because maybe you don’t know Agadir well.”

The head of the government insisted that the deal followed an “open” and “transparent” bidding process, and said that the winning company’s pricing offer was the best of the submitted bids. He added, “The contract was awarded to the deserving party, and we cannot exclude any company or group from competing for the country’s investments.”

Akhannouch sharply criticized the opposition and accused them of spreading false information. “As long as you continue to attack the state over these deals, I have the right to say that I chaired the committee, and the project you are talking about did not receive any subsidies. The project you are trying to cast doubt on was carried out through an open tender process, with the best offer being selected,” Akhannouch added.

He noted that the investment value of the project is around MAD 6.5 billion, calling it a vital initiative to tackle Morocco’s growing water challenges. The project is designed to provide drinking water to Casablanca and surrounding areas, including Settat, Berrechid, and smaller towns like Bir Jdid and Oulad Saleem.

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The Casablanca desalination plant project was awarded in November 2023 to a consortium that includes Akhannouch’s company Afriquia Gaz, along with Acciona and Green of Africa.

In its recent statement, PJD said they held an emergency meeting of its General Secretariat yesterday to address comments made by Akhannouch during the session regarding the project.

The party reiterated its accusations of a conflict of interest, stating that he acknowledged during the session that a company he owns won the contract for the Casablanca-Settat desalination plant. “This confirms a conflict of interest prohibited by the constitution and outlined in the contract’s terms,” PJD said.

The statement noted that Akhannouch said during the session that the government had decided not to provide public funding for such projects. However, the PJD argued out that a government statement issued on December 10 contradicted this claim, as it mentioned that four projects, including desalination plants, were approved for public support during a National Investment Committee meeting.

The PJD said that Akhannouch’s comments revealed major violations related to transparency, competitiveness, and fairness in awarding the contract. These issues, the party argued, damage public trust in institutions and undermine fair competition in Morocco’s economy.

This is not the first time that Akhannouch has faced such accusations. Critics have repeatedly accused him of operating more as a businessman than head of government. They argue that he often passes policies and makes decisions that serve his commercial ventures rather than the country’s interests.

Many Moroccans criticized Akhannouch’s government for its decision in 2022 to impose new import tariffs on online purchase from abroad. Some suggested that the new law could potentially direct more business towards his wife Salwa Akhannouch, one of Africa’s leading retail billionaires.