National Updates: From Olive Oil Crisis to Corruption Cases and Environmental Concerns

In a notable development on the Moroccan economic scene, the Ministry of Agriculture is preparing to announce the opening of olive oil imports to meet local market needs and tackle the sharp rise in prices. However, some producers, like Hamid Sabr from Kalaat Sraghna, warn that this solution may not be guaranteed due to the production crisis affecting major exporting countries such as Spain, Italy, and Greece because of drought.

In another context, the judicial panel of the Court of Financial Crimes in Fez has set October 9 as the date to begin the trial of defendants in the case of embezzlement of funds from the social program “Awrach”.

In Marrakech, the Court of Financial Crimes upheld the initial verdict against the former president of Inezgane municipality, sentencing him to two years in prison and a fine of 50,000 dirhams in a case of public funds embezzlement, with similar sentences for other defendants.

In Ben Guerir, acting president Ali Ayadi issued a statement confirming the continuation of municipal services without change, delegating certain duties to 13 employees.

On the environmental front, a recent British study revealed that Morocco ranks 33rd globally in terms of plastic pollution, having disposed of more than 385,000 tons of environmentally polluting plastic in 2020.

Finally, the governor of Rehamna province issued a decision to suspend the president of the Ben Guerir municipal council and her second deputy from their duties, pending the administrative court’s decision regarding their dismissal, following a report by the General Inspectorate of Territorial Administration. The Administrative Court in Marrakech has set October 1 as the date for the first session to consider this case.

About محمد الفاسي