Morocco Launches Parliamentary Probe into Illegal Coastal Sand Mining

Illegal operators have been exploiting sand on the Moroccan coastline since 1995. Following the distress call launched by a UN report, concerning the environmental dangers facing this region, an inquiry committee will be set up. This is at least the decision of the House of Representatives in order to identify the illegal sand operators.

After oral and written questioning of the Logistics and Environment Departments, which did not provide precise answers, the inquiry committee will be very useful. Moreover, the companies legally authorized to exploit the sand of the coastline are not always well identified. In addition, the authorities in charge of the controls claim that the sand trafficking takes place at night, reports Assabah.

These illegal operations cost the public treasury nearly five billion dirhams each year and illegally exploit more than 10 million cubic meters of coastal sand. The deputies have warned the government against the laissez-faire of these illegal operators, knowing that the share of sand sold on the market represents more than 55% of the total extractions. The inhabitants of Sidi Abdeslam have also protested against the sand mafia by deciding to hold regular sit-ins, to prevent trucks from accessing the beaches as long as the government has not decided to crack down on the destruction of their environment.

The Minister of Water and the Environment, Abdelkader Amara, reassured Parliament that his department, in collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior, was trying to restore order in this sector, in order to identify these operators who are not only illegal but who do not pay anything to the public coffers.

The deputies were recently tasked with making field visits, before meeting this week to set up the parliamentary inquiry committee, the same source specifies.