Zalmoun Chouchou lifts the fuel nozzle back into the holster and bites his lips in deception as he sees the price light up on the screen: 211 Dirhams to fill up his 18 litre tank.
This is the aftermath of a price hike in Morocco after the government decided to end their subsidy of petroleum. While OPEC does transport petroleum barrels to Morocco rather affordably, the prices are still a lot higher than what Moroccans are used to at the pumps.
"I remember when it was 8 Dirhams per litre," said Zalmoun, "and even then we said this is too much. Now it's almost 12 Dirhams a litre, I wish I didn't complain when it was only 8!"
This increase in costs is part of the governments program to lessen traffic. The urban streets in Morocco are too crowded with cars and accidents are on the rise. The department of transportation has been seeking to expand the roads and build more highways in the area, however the implementation of these projects will take years to complete.
Young drivers are being caused to not drive, as hey can no longer afford to pay gas prices. Cars for unemployed youth are sitting around and gathering dust instead of being driven in the streets. Recent reforms against youth drivers saw the driving age increase to 21. This is also part of the government's plan to lighten the load of traffic in the streets of Morocco.
This is the aftermath of a price hike in Morocco after the government decided to end their subsidy of petroleum. While OPEC does transport petroleum barrels to Morocco rather affordably, the prices are still a lot higher than what Moroccans are used to at the pumps.
"I remember when it was 8 Dirhams per litre," said Zalmoun, "and even then we said this is too much. Now it's almost 12 Dirhams a litre, I wish I didn't complain when it was only 8!"This increase in costs is part of the governments program to lessen traffic. The urban streets in Morocco are too crowded with cars and accidents are on the rise. The department of transportation has been seeking to expand the roads and build more highways in the area, however the implementation of these projects will take years to complete.
Young drivers are being caused to not drive, as hey can no longer afford to pay gas prices. Cars for unemployed youth are sitting around and gathering dust instead of being driven in the streets. Recent reforms against youth drivers saw the driving age increase to 21. This is also part of the government's plan to lighten the load of traffic in the streets of Morocco.
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