Northern Moroccan Cities Face Financial Crisis as Debt Mounts

Declining revenues, continuous increase in expenses, poor management of resources, accumulation of several years of debt, lack of any rationalization of revenues and other expenses, total failure to implement strategies to limit expenses, non-compliance with commitments, particularly towards civil servants. The municipalities of Chefchaouen, Tetouan, Fnideq, Martil and M’diq are on the verge of bankruptcy, reports the daily Al Akhbar. Moreover, municipalities such as Martil, M’diq and Fnideq are unable to pay their water and electricity bills.

This situation is explained by the fact that these municipalities owe tens of millions of dirhams, in the form of debts, to the delegated companies for public transport and garbage collection. Added to this is the non-payment of allowances due to civil servants and aid to associations. Not to mention poor governance that hinders the implementation of development projects in these municipalities.