Agadir 24 | Agadir24
Interior Minister Abdel Wafi Laftit issued strict instructions to the governors of the regions and workers of the Kingdom’s regions, against the backdrop of auditing and examining the “2025 budgets” submitted to them by territorial groups during last October’s sessions.
According to informed sources, the minister called on territorial officials to “tighten their belt” and not mark exaggerated expenses and expenses, as well as budget items that do not fall under the category of necessities, according to the needs of each group individually.
This step comes, according to the same sources, after reports and observations were received from the Local Communities Directorate, affiliated with the Ministry’s General Directorate of Territorial Communities, which confirmed the growing level of operational expenses planned for the groups, as they were concentrated in the acquisition of elected cars, fuel consumption, the costs of events and receptions, and compensation for transportation and travel.
The same sources reported that these instructions hastened the refusal of governors to approve amendments to the budgets for the year 2024, as these amendments included requests for an increase in financial appropriations within the current year’s budget, especially in terms of support for faltering associations and projects.
The same sources stressed that the new instructions of the Minister of the Interior focused on ensuring that the expenses proposed by the collective councils were limited to the necessary needs, especially the obligatory expenses, which include covering employee wages, especially with regard to promotion arrears and compensation for tasks, in addition to water and electricity consumption bills. Only necessary equipment and machinery are maintained.
In addition, the Minister, in his instructions addressed to territorial administration officials, called for a review of the items of resources and revenues included in the budgets of territorial groups, especially with regard to “the remainder to be extracted,” as it is expected that inquiries will be directed to the heads of groups regarding clarification of the mechanisms to be adopted to reduce the value of these. Uncollected income, which has reached record levels in some groups.
It is expected that similar inquiries will be directed to the heads of other groups to provide additional information about the status of the arrears scheduled for expenses in the field of judicial disputes between groups and obligations regarding collective fees and taxes, especially fees on unbuilt urban lands.
On the other hand, the Ministry of the Interior called on the departments of prefectures and regions to accompany those in charge of spending in the groups in order to prepare their budget in coordination with the regional and regional departments of the general treasury of the Kingdom, with the governors and prefects having to follow the process.
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**Interview with Khalid Benjelloun, Economic Analyst**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Khalid. Recent reports indicate that Morocco is planning to invest over $34 billion in public projects for 2025. What do you think are the main objectives behind this significant investment?
**Khalid Benjelloun:** Thank you for having me. The Moroccan government’s commitment to investing MAD 340 billion primarily aims to stimulate economic growth and improve infrastructure across various sectors. This not only signifies a robust investment strategy but also reflects the government’s long-term vision to develop key areas such as transportation, energy, and education, which are vital for the nation’s overall progress.
**Interviewer:** That sounds promising. However, we’ve also heard about Interior Minister Abdel Wafi Laftit’s strict instructions regarding budget management among local governments. Can you elaborate on the significance of these directives?
**Khalid Benjelloun:** Absolutely. Minister Laftit’s directives are crucial, especially in ensuring that public funds are utilized efficiently. By urging governors to “tighten their belt,” he emphasizes the importance of prioritizing essential expenditures over non-essential luxuries. This is particularly relevant given the reports of inflated operational costs in previous budgets, which included excessive spending on transport and events. It’s a necessary step to prevent waste and ensure that the future investments are focused on sustainable and impactful projects.
**Interviewer:** It seems like a balancing act. How do you foresee this tension between ambitious public investment and austerity measures affecting local governance?
**Khalid Benjelloun:** It will undoubtedly require a delicate balance. On one hand, local governments must align their budgets with the national investment strategy to support broader economic goals. On the other hand, they need to adapt to stricter spending controls. This could lead to tensions, especially if local leaders feel constrained. However, if managed correctly, it can also encourage innovation and accountability among local administrations, leading to more judicious use of resources.
**Interviewer:** That’s an interesting perspective. As Morocco moves forward, what key outcomes should we be watching for in relation to this investment plan and the budgetary constraints?
**Khalid Benjelloun:** Key outcomes include tangible improvements in infrastructure projects and economic indicators such as job creation and GDP growth. We should also monitor how effectively local governments adapt to the tighter budgetary controls. If they manage to innovate and still deliver essential services, it could serve as a model for efficient governance. the next few years will be crucial in determining whether this strategy translates into real progress for Morocco.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Khalid, for sharing your insights and analysis on these pressing issues.
**Khalid Benjelloun:** My pleasure! Thank you for having me.
