Tollgate traffic in Bouznika puts transport ministry under pressure

Friday 18 July 2025 - 08:20

Daily traffic jams at Moroccan toll stations—especially the one in Bouznika—have triggered growing criticism in Parliament and put the Ministry of Transport and Logistics in the spotlight. With the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 FIFA World Cup approaching, lawmakers are demanding urgent upgrades to the highway infrastructure to avoid tarnishing the country’s image.

In a written question addressed to Minister Abdessamad Kayouh, MP Loubna Sghiri from the Party of Progress and Socialism denounced what she described as “persistent structural dysfunctions” on the nation's highways, singling out the Bouznika toll station as a “symbol of organizational shortcomings.”

Sghiri pointed out that congestion occurs almost daily, with peak-hour gridlocks during weekends and holidays. Despite the existence of the Jawaz electronic toll system, which allows for faster travel through dedicated lanes, the MP stressed that the benefit is unevenly distributed, as many drivers do not use or have access to the system.

She called for immediate action and a comprehensive overhaul of the highway toll system, criticizing the Ministry’s reliance on partial solutions. Sghiri urged the government to expand toll lanes, modernize payment methods, and develop a clear roadmap to improve traffic flow and ensure that infrastructure matches Morocco’s ambitions on the world stage.