Morocco to Launch Fuel Testing Lab to Combat Petroleum Fraud

The Ministry of Energy and the Environment plans to establish a system of traceability and marking for the control of the availability and quality of petroleum products, reports L’Économiste. This, through the creation of a laboratory specialized in the analysis of petroleum products by the end of 2021.

Fuel fraud takes various forms. The practice of certain carriers would be to buy large volumes of fuel with an invoice to resell them to consumers among the large accounts up to 1.5 dirhams less than the official service stations. These fuels would often be stored in clandestine depots and the pump attendants refuse to bring charges, explains the same source.

"We obviously denounce fraudulent practices and at the same time we refuse to be scapegoats to ensure the coverage of fraudsters," said Jamal Zrikem, president of the National Federation of Owners, Merchants and Managers of Service Stations. Welcoming the government’s initiative, the Federation proposes that the laboratory to be set up ensure the traceability of fuels, from their import to their final sale, through transport, storage, etc. Also, it insisted on the strict application of standards for underground tanks, tanker trucks, seals and others.