Following a wave of criticism regarding its financial management, Les Jeunes Maçons (LJM), a small and medium-sized construction company (TPME), has addressed concerns about its situation. Half-owned by Chakib Alj, who has been a passive shareholder since 2021, LJM is currently dealing with scrutiny over unpaid invoices and financial difficulties.
LJM, operating in the construction sector, became the subject of several critical articles questioning its handling of outstanding bills. In response, the company released a statement clarifying its financial status and the challenges it has faced.
According to the statement, LJM’s issues stemmed from contracts signed without accounting for the sharp rise in material costs, which threatened the company’s long-term viability. To prevent the business from shutting down, Chakib Alj bought out the founder’s shares and brought in a new manager with extensive experience in the construction industry. He also injected around 200 million dirhams into the company, which helped stabilize operations, safeguard jobs, and pay off supplier debts.
Despite ongoing challenges, such as collecting significant outstanding payments, LJM continues to operate. Like many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the company is working to restore financial balance, particularly in relation to its suppliers. The focus remains on sustaining operations in this vital sector and protecting jobs, according to LJM’s statement.
Taoufik Benhaba, the managing partner at LJM, emphasized that the company maintains regular dialogue with suppliers to resolve debts and ensure the continuity of current and future projects.
