Agadir 24 | Agadir24
A group of gas station owners found themselves in an unenviable position, after many customers dispensed with their services, as a result of secret warehouses attacking part of the national market, by reducing prices.
According to what informed sources reported, these warehouses took advantage of the opportunity to entice customers with low prices to sell gasoline and gasoline in installments compared to those offered by gas stations, at a time when fuel prices have been rising since the recent international unrest.
This matter mobilized a number of gas station owners and prompted them to request state intervention, as they considered that the illegal commercial practices of these warehouses harmed the national economy and the stations as national enterprises.
In this context, the National League of Gas Station Owners, Merchants and Managers in Morocco called on the guardian authorities to intervene urgently
In this matter, stressing the necessity of legalizing the storage of gasoline, and establishing a legal framework for this type of transaction.
The university expressed its concern about the growing profit margin in the parallel fuel market, which has reached record levels at a time when station sales have declined significantly, highlighting that these secret warehouses operate outside the legal distribution system, which requires a set of legal procedures and licenses.
The same source considered that the role of the stations had become limited to marketing very limited quantities of fuel to individuals and small companies, which deprived them of an important share in the national market and income that would have helped them bear the exorbitant expenses required to run the stations.
In the face of this situation, the owners of the stations sounded the alarm, considering that the current situation threatens the safety of the sector, in which thousands of Moroccans invested millions of dirhams to prepare and create decent spaces, and contributed to providing direct and permanent job positions for hundreds of thousands of citizens, to be faced today with unfair competition that does not respect the laws. And the legislation in force.
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Of gas station owners to voice their concerns over the unfair competition posed by these secret warehouses. To gain further insights into this issue, we sat down with Ahmed El-Mansouri, a representative from the National Association of Gas Station Owners.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Ahmed. Can you explain the current situation gas station owners are facing in light of these secret warehouses?
**Ahmed El-Mansouri:** Thank you for having me. The situation is indeed concerning. Many gas station owners are witnessing a significant drop in customers as these underground warehouses are offering fuel at much lower prices. It’s created an unfair playing field, especially since we are struggling with rising fuel costs due to international unrest.
**Interviewer:** How are these secret warehouses managing to sell fuel at such discounted rates?
**Ahmed El-Mansouri:** It appears they are taking advantage of loopholes in the market. These warehouses operate without the same regulations that we follow, and this allows them to cut prices significantly. They often sell gasoline in smaller quantities, making it more enticing for consumers who are looking for immediate savings.
**Interviewer:** What actions are gas station owners pursuing to combat this issue?
**Ahmed El-Mansouri:** We are currently mobilizing to address these unfair practices. We have reached out to authorities to investigate the operations of these secret warehouses and ensure stricter enforcement of regulations within the market. Our goal is to protect not only our businesses but also the consumers who rely on safe and regulated fuel sources.
**Interviewer:** How do you think this situation might impact consumers in the long run?
**Ahmed El-Mansouri:** In the short term, consumers may find lower prices appealing, but in the long run, they could be putting themselves at risk. Unregulated fuel sources may not meet safety standards, which could lead to dangerous situations. Ultimately, we are advocating for a fair market that benefits both consumers and retailers alike.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Ahmed. We hope the situation improves for gas station owners and consumers alike.
**Ahmed El-Mansouri:** Thank you for bringing attention to this important issue.
