Al-Haouz quake victims complain about soaring construction material prices as reconstruction moves along

As reconstruction efforts continue in the areas affected by the Al Haouz earthquake, some locals have noticed a rise in the prices of building materials compared to nearby regions.

In recent days, local officials in Amizmiz have been discussing options to provide building materials at reasonable prices after significant increases were observed in stores, which have proliferated in many parts of the Al Haouz province.

One of the options being considered, according to Hespress sources, is to contract with suppliers to bring building materials from major cities and sell them in the Amizmiz area at affordable prices.

The recent price increases have affected products deemed essential for construction, such as cement and sand, which residents in Amizmiz noted are not as expensive in nearby areas like Assif el Mal.

Allal El Basha, President of the Amizmiz commune, stated, “the pace of reconstruction is accelerating, with about 60% of the population having already begun the process.”

El Basha added to Hespress Ar that “support for reconstruction is insufficient and coincides with a noticeable rise in building material prices, prompting the commune to seek contracts with suppliers to bring in materials and sell them at designated centers at reasonable prices.”

He emphasized that “these contracts will last for one year, aiming to encourage residents to rebuild and generally speed up the process,” noting that “the summer season is expected to help advance this operation.”

The president of Amizmiz commune also praised the solidarity of the civil society, noting that recently “temporary housing has been provided in some villages, ready to be handed over to the affected residents,” while pointing out that “the issue remains in the ongoing debris removal and property identification processes.”

The affected residents are hopeful that the authorities in Amizmiz will bring in building materials and sell them at affordable prices, especially as the prices have increased recently.

Mohamed Belhassan, coordinator of the earthquake victims in Amizmiz, called for price monitoring. He complained about the “high prices of building materials in Amizmiz area compared to nearby areas like Assif el Mal.”

Belhassan stated, “the price increases have affected cement, sand, and iron, as local demand rises” affirming that “the support provided for reconstruction is insufficient.”

“Numerous building material stores have sprung up in the earthquake-stricken Haouz region since residents began planning reconstruction efforts. However, these stores have shocked everyone by raising their prices,” complained the coordinator.

This price increase is not limited to Amizmiz but also includes the Imgdal commune.

Mohamed Ait Ouakrim from the Ameslane village confirmed, “the price increases have affected cement, iron, and sand.”

Further elaborating, Ait Oukrim informed Hespress that the intervention of speculators and brokers has driven up prices in tandem with the rising demand for these materials among residents.

He pointed out that “residents of remote mountainous areas are particularly suffering as they are not only forced to purchase building materials at exorbitant prices but also bear the additional burden of transporting them at inflated costs.”

These increases, explained Ait Oukrim, have led to higher transportation costs for building materials, with prices varying depending on the quantity and type of product, underscoring the need for regulation.