Morocco’s Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit announced that authorities have arrested a builder and are prosecuting several others accused of defrauding beneficiaries of reconstruction aid in areas affected by the 2023 earthquake, Morocco’s News Agency (MAP) reported.
Strict disciplinary measures are being taken against anyone involved in fraudulent activities, whether contractors or local officials, he said.
Speaking to lawmakers Laftit explained that an investigation had uncovered one contractor who had defrauded multiple individuals by failing to complete agreed upon projects and by violating technical standards. The contractor was arrested in Aït Melloul, and a second suspect is now wanted for similar offenses.
Local officials who were questioned denied recommending the contractor, claiming they only facilitated his work by sharing information and overseeing progress. Local authorities have demanded that he either meet the required standards or return the funds.
One local official whose identity has not been released, and who was caught extorting money from citizens in exchange for promises of aid access, has been fired.
Victims are being urged to file individual complaints for breach of trust and substandard work.
Adding to the urgency, temperatures in the earthquake affected regions have plummeted, with heavy snowfall making conditions even harsher. Many victims of the earthquake are still living in makeshift tents, struggling to survive in the freezing cold of a second winter without homes.
These dire circumstances highlight the critical need for swift and ethical reconstruction efforts to ensure adequate shelter for those impacted.Laftit assured the public that local authorities remain vigilant to safeguard citizens’ rights and ensure that the reconstruction process proceeds without delay, promising severe penalties for those engaging in fraud or misconduct.