The fate of the remaining facility remains uncertain, as full demolition is reportedly imminent under Law No. 66.12, which governs urban planning violations. The current delay is attributed to the facility’s heavy medical waste treatment equipment, which has yet to be relocated.
Sources revealed that the company attempted to shift operations to a nearby unlicensed location outside an industrial zone, raising concerns about compliance. Attempts to relocate treatment machinery to this new site have also faced regulatory hurdles, leaving the company unable to resume its operations.
This has sparked fears of a potential environmental crisis in Ain Atiq and across Moroccan hospitals, as the medical waste remains unprocessed amid the uncertainty surrounding the company’s licensing and operational status.
A spokesperson for the company clarified to Hespress AR that the demolition targeted only administrative buildings, not the licensed waste treatment area, which has been operational since 2010. “The treatment facility is fully licensed, and the demolished section was limited to the administrative offices, which are being rebuilt,” the spokesperson stated.
The company also disclosed plans to relocate to a new, larger site spanning over 10,000 square meters, with arrangements nearing completion. The spokesperson dismissed allegations of environmental risks, asserting that the treatment facility adheres to all legal and environmental standards.
However, sources have questioned the company’s procurement of public contracts, alleging irregularities in the bidding process. The company’s spokesperson rejected these claims, emphasizing that all contracts were awarded through legitimate processes.
The situation has drawn attention to the broader issue of unregulated construction in Ain Atiq. The demolition is part of a larger campaign against unpermitted buildings in the region, raising concerns about the potential environmental fallout from accumulated medical waste.
While the company maintains that its operations are environmentally safe and in compliance with regulations, the lack of clarity on the waste management situation has sparked alarm. Calls are growing for a swift resolution to prevent what could escalate into an environmental disaster.
Efforts to obtain a response from the Ministry of Health and Social Protection were unsuccessful, leaving questions unanswered about the government’s oversight of this critical sector.
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