The ongoing confusion and debate surrounding the livestock market in the Ouled Kran area of Marrakech's Al-Nakheel district have reached new heights following the implementation of a decision to exempt farmers and visitors to the sacrificial animal markets from fees related to livestock entry. This directive, issued by the Ministry of the Interior and supported by the governor of the Marrakech-Safi region, has not yet been extended to the areas designated for parking motorcycles, cars, and trailers. This has led to numerous inquiries regarding the rationale behind this notable exclusion.
According to consistent reports from the scene, market visitors are still required to pay fees for parking their vehicles, which range from 5 dirhams for motorcycles to 20 dirhams for trailers and carts. This situation persists despite the administrative decision to temporarily exempt fees related to livestock markets, which many observers believed would encompass all areas and facilities within the market.
This development comes at a time when, as of Thursday, the collection of livestock entry fees has been halted, a move that professionals have interpreted as a direct response to the Ministry of the Interior's directives aimed at organizing markets and alleviating financial burdens during the Eid al-Adha period. However, the ongoing collection of parking fees has sparked frustration among citizens and farmers, who have characterized the situation as 'selective' in its implementation of the decision.
Moreover, the continued utilization of market spaces and facilities, despite discussions about terminating rental agreements and refunding lease amounts to tenants, raises further questions about the authority legally responsible for managing these facilities at present. Notably, the current operating license Number 8054, issued on May 6, 2026, pertains to the 'Tunisian Street' area along the Fes road, not the Ouled Kran region along the Ouarzazate-Ait Ourir road.
In this context, several observers have criticized what they perceive as a lack of action from local authorities and administrative police in monitoring compliance with the ministerial decision and the governor's order, especially given reports of ongoing fee collection from visitors within market facilities.
Local actors have questioned why the exploitation licenses for motorcycle and car parking within the market have not been revoked, especially since free parking has been established at the sheep market in the Al-Azouziah area. This inconsistency raises concerns about the need for uniformity in the implementation of administrative decisions across various markets in the region and ensuring equitable treatment of citizens.
Observers argue that the current situation necessitates urgent intervention from the relevant authorities to clarify the scope of the exemption decision precisely and to put an end to the confusion and organizational chaos affecting some market facilities, particularly as demand for livestock markets increases with the approach of Eid al-Adha.
As reported by jamaalfnapress.ma.
