فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Fez News – Civil Society and Territorial Administration
Meknes – Local media sources have sparked widespread controversy over what they described as the Meknes commune’s “politicization” of violations by owners of certain establishments operating unlicensed activities, harming the health and comfort of residents. Reports indicate that the commune deliberately fails to respond to complaints submitted by citizens to local authorities, despite these authorities sending official correspondence to dispatch inspection committees to take required legal measures.
Details of Accusations: Ignoring Complaints and Impact on Public Health
According to sources, this behavior stems from purely political purposes and other undisclosed reasons, as the Meknes commune avoids dispatching its specialized committees to participate with local authorities in inspecting violations. These violations include practicing “dirty and noisy” trades in crowded residential neighborhoods, such as occupying public domain with illegal sidewalks and display cases, obstructing pedestrian traffic and endangering their safety, in addition to harming the environment and public health through odors and waste. Reports indicated that more than 300 cafes, restaurants, and dairies operate without exploitation licenses, depriving the commune of important tax revenues and hindering local development efforts.
In a related context, specific cases such as converting dilapidated buildings into commercial establishments on Meknes’ most important streets, such as Akbat Dar Smen in the old medina, have triggered a wave of complaints. According to media activist Omar Cherkaoui, this includes violating previous provincial governor decisions, exploiting repair licenses for illegal construction purposes, and changing the nature of buildings without canceling legal prohibitions, prompting opposition councilors to demand intervention by the Court of Accounts and the General Inspectorate of Territorial Communities.
Public Domain Liberation Campaigns: Limited Efforts Against Political Pressures?
Meknes witnessed campaigns to liberate the public domain, such as those launched in January 2025, focusing on removing encroachments by street vendors and kiosks, but they were not sufficiently extended to fixed commercial establishments that illegally place display cases and refrigerators on sidewalks. Residents welcomed these campaigns with relief, but political interventions weakened their effectiveness, attributed to failure to respond to demands for improving basic services despite repeated complaints within the council.
Recent political controversy also arose regarding exploitation of public lighting repair work in neighborhoods, where the Democratic Left Federation party accused the commune’s majority of employing public services for electoral purposes, while ignoring previous complaints about lighting, cleanliness, and urban planning.
Demands to Strengthen Governance and Transparency
Sources and activists call for strengthening oversight mechanisms and activating laws related to urban planning and public health, while utilizing the National Complaints Portal (Chikaya.ma) to expedite responses to complaints. These accusations serve as a reminder of the importance of good governance in territorial communities, especially in a historic city like Meknes, where urban tampering threatens the civilizational character and royal residences.
Fez News follows developments, calling on relevant authorities to take immediate action to ensure residents’ rights and protect public health.
