Urgent Demand for Transparency in Marrakech's New Bus Station Project
The Anti-Corruption Coordination in Marrakech has called for a fair and transparent investigation into the various violations and manipulations that have marred the new bus station project in Al-Azouzia. This demand came during the closing speech of a protest organized by the local anti-corruption coalition in front of the new bus station, under the slogan: "The Al-Azouzia Bus Station is Corruption and Misuse of Public Funds, with the Perpetrators Unpunished."
The coalition emphasized that this project epitomizes, in its view, the most egregious levels of violations, pointing out that the responsible authorities failed to involve transportation professionals in accordance with constitutional provisions or even through consultation and notification.
They elaborated that the new bus station project in Al-Azouzia was included in the "Marrakech, the Renewed Capital" program, signed on January 6, 2014, with a total budget allocation of 600 million and 300 thousand dirhams. However, according to the coalition, the project did not meet the necessary conditions for its approval at that time, raising questions about the motives behind its expedited inclusion.
Furthermore, the agreement for the project was signed in January 2014, but it did not receive initial approval for construction until January 27, 2015, on a site estimated at 6 hectares located in a prohibited construction area. This area is registered under real estate number 1970/M in the name of state properties. Additionally, the Marrakech municipal council approved the establishment of the station in its April 2014 session, before ratifying the lease of the land plot on May 7, 2014, with a rental fee of 21,200 dirhams per hectare.
The coalition noted that since 2017 was the designated deadline for completing projects under the "Marrakech, the Renewed Capital" program, construction commenced without obtaining the necessary building permits and design approvals, which they deemed a clear violation of existing laws.
Regarding the contracts, they confirmed that the project was assigned to four companies responsible for major works, technical tasks, road networks, and final external works. However, the project faced several inexplicable delays due to randomness and improvisation, leading to significant financial losses for the municipality, which had issued orders to halt construction at times.
In 2015, two additional land plots adjacent to the project were integrated, the first measuring 8,150 square meters and the second 7,400 square meters, intended for taxi and private car parking. However, the coalition revealed that the second plot was allocated to a private company established specifically for this purpose to develop an investment project that includes a gas station, rest area, and other facilities.
They highlighted that the Marrakech municipal council accepted the works under a temporary delivery report dated October 20, 2017, before final acceptance on October 20, 2018. They indicated that this step was merely formal, intended to showcase compliance with the "Marrakech, the Renewed Capital" program.
Despite the completion of works in 2018, the new bus station in Al-Azouzia remains closed to this day, even though the project cost approximately 12 million dirhams, with an additional 10% increase in extra work costs, which the coalition considered evidence of mismanagement and waste of public funds in the absence of accountability.
Moreover, they confirmed that professionals were excluded at all stages of the project's execution, and they consider the station does not meet the specifications of a modern bus station nor does it fulfill the needs of users, but rather imposes additional burdens on them.
In conclusion, the coalition stressed that the continued impunity for financial crimes and illegal enrichment encourages corrupt individuals, undermines the national economy, and hinders development. They reiterated their solidarity with rights activists and journalists who defend public funds, condemning attempts to silence them.
As reported by nichan.ma.
