Combatting Illegal Utility Connections
The Rabat-Salé-Kénitra Multiservice Regional Company (RSK-SRM) has recently initiated extensive field campaigns aimed at identifying various forms of illegal connections to electricity, wastewater, and drinking water networks across several areas in the region. These operations are conducted in collaboration with local authorities, the Royal Gendarmerie, and relevant partners, focusing primarily on peri-urban areas and municipalities where suspected clandestine connections have been reported.
According to available data, these inspections have successfully uncovered and documented numerous instances of illegal connections within the jurisdictions of Sidi Slimane and Sidi Kacem provinces. Necessary measures have been implemented in accordance with existing legal procedures. The investigations have also revealed illegal electricity supply to certain agricultural enterprises and commercial projects, all operating outside of any regulatory framework. In some instances, technical teams from the company have neutralized equipment utilized for these fraudulent connections.
Long-term Commitment to Public Network Integrity
This campaign is part of a continuous program that the company plans to progressively extend across its entire intervention area, aiming to combat all forms of illegal exploitation of public networks. The company has emphasized that such practices inflict significant damage on infrastructure and equipment, leading to substantial financial losses borne by both the organization and the community at large. Additionally, these violations require considerable human and logistical resources for monitoring, verification, technical investigation, as well as for the administrative and legal processing of cases.
RSK-SRM reiterated that these actions undermine the principle of fairness among users, especially those who consistently pay their bills, warning that any individual involved in these practices may face legal penalties. In its clarifications, the company stated that illegal connections constitute a criminal offense, particularly under Article 521 of the Penal Code concerning energy theft, along with Articles 590 and 595 regarding damage to public infrastructure, as well as Law 36.15 on water, specifically Article 145.
It is noteworthy that other regional multiservice companies, including those in the Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceïma region, have also launched similar campaigns aimed at combating water and electricity theft, particularly in rural areas.
As reported by lareleve.ma.
