PJD Stands By Conflict of Interest Accusations Against Akhannouch

Rabat 0 Idriss Azami Al Idrissi, President of the National Council of the Justice and Development Party (PJD), has reiterated his party’s accusations of a conflict of interest against the government, particularly targeting Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch.

The current government is “deeply affected” by conflicts of interest, Azami said at a press conference his party organized on Thursday in Rabat, warning that such illicit practices could negatively impact the country’s economy.

Azami was referring to the recent seawater desalination contract in the Casablanca-Settat region. The bidding process was overseen by the National Office for Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE), whose board Akhannouch chairs.

As the contract was awarded to a consortium that includes Afriquia Gaz, a company owned by Akhannouch, Azami accused the PM of violating the law to serve his own interests.

MPs from various parties, especially those who are not part of the ruling coalition, have long accused the Akhannouch of showing signs of nepotism and favoritism when it comes to awarding major, lucrative government contracts.

Beyond the Akhnouch government’s handling of public tenders, the opposition has also frequently criticized its unresponsiveness, apparent indifference, or delayed responses when facing major socio-economic crises.

In its statement detailing Azami’s talking points at yesterday’s press conference, the PJD recalled its official as strongly taking issue with the fact that Akhnnouch’s overseeing of a bidding process that one of his companies ended up winning constitutes a blatant disregard of the law.

Dubious, preferential tax cuts

“Al Azmi pointed out that Article 11 of the tender specifications excludes any company that holds a position granting it an undue advantage over the other candidates, noting that this article conflicts with the situation of Akhannouch’s company, as he is also the chairman of the board of the office that launched the call for tenders,” noted the statement.

Being the chief of the government, Akhannouch should have been aware of these regulations that clearly banned him from chairing the bidding process, Azami stressed. And even if he was not, “there remains a clear suspicion [of either influence peddling or conflict of interests] that cannot be denied,” the PJD official insisted.

Azami further criticized the preferential tax rate introduced in the 2023 Finance Law, which reduced the corporate tax rate from 35% to 20% for companies investing at least MAD 1.5 billion with the state over five years.

He argued that this amendment facilitated the conflict of interests at the heart of Akhannouch’s alleged use of his influence and power as Head of Government to favor his own companies in government tenders.

Azami pointed to several key events as evidence of Akhannouch’s abuse of his government powers, including the launch of the tender in March 2022 and the tax amendment just a few months later, namely in December 2022.

In particular, he noted that the decree activating the basic investment support system was published in February 2023. This was followed by the signing of the contract with the consortium that won in November 2023 the bid for the Casablanca desalination project. The fact that this winning consortium included Afriquia Gaz, one of Akhannouch’s companies, is incontrovertible evidence of power abuse and influence peddling, Azami stressed.

Further lending credence to the PJD’s accusations is that the company responsible for the implementation of the desalination project in Casablanca was only established in January 2024, shortly after winning such a major contract.

As he raised suspicion after suspicion in the Akhnouch government’s handling of this particular project, Azami invoked Article 11 of Morocco’s tender regulations. Specifically, he pointed out, this critical part of the regulations excludes any company holding a position that grants it an unfair advantage over other candidates.

For Azami, all the “suspicious” details surrounding the company that won the bid for the desalination project, especially its actual establishment only after winning the bid and it’s affiliation with a company owned by the Head of Government, are enough evidence to accuse Akhannouch of wrongdoing in this case and demand accountability.

It is “beyond doubt” that Akhnnouch willfully or unknowingly violated regulations governing government tenders to reward his company a major, lucrative government contract, he concluded.

The PJD’s criticism comes as the government strives to reclaim public confidence after coming under fire in recent years for not delivering on some of its key promises.

Meanwhile, Akhnnouch has strongly dismissed much criticism from the PJD in recent months, describing the party’s frequent complaints and accusations as unfounded, baseless, and coming from a place of jealousy or resentment.

Having lost the prestige, power, and popular support it once enjoyed, the PM has notably insisted, the former ruling party is intent on reclaiming its political relevance and popular appeal at any cost.

But with the PJD having upped its government criticism game to attack Akhnnouch with “indubitable” evidence inspired by elements from a bill passed by his own ruling coalition, it remains to be seen what the PM’s response will be this time around.