Electricity Theft Investigation Launched in Berrechid Amid Pre-Election Controversy

The Ministry of the Interior is investigating operations to connect to the public grid without installing meters in Berrechid, reports Assabah. The opening of this investigation follows the diversion of electricity. The municipality had committed to connecting at its own expense the douars and anarchic dwellings to the electricity network, but it did not keep its promise. While the operation to install the meters was about to start, some elected officials are said to have worked to abort it. The reason? They would have decided to deprive these inhabitants of their right for purely electoral reasons. Many inhabitants have then connected directly to the ONEE network, exposing themselves to heavy fines and legal proceedings for electricity theft.

Victim of this electricity diversion, the ONEE had decided to cut off the power to these "thieves". A decision that provoked strong reactions, particularly in the commune of Sidi Rahhal, about sixty kilometers from Casablanca. The governor then intervened, and it was decided to install a temporary common meter at the expense of the municipality. For its part, the ONEE has committed to setting up a temporary network, pending the regularization of the situation.

Other facts: during a routine inspection in the same region, an ONEE inspection commission discovered cases of electricity diversion by factories and influential elected officials. Certain areas under the province of Mohammedia are concerned. The commission’s report indicates that several clues show that some industrial units were running their machines with electricity stolen from the ONEE. The latter plans to file a complaint.