Launching an international tender for the construction of production and power distribution plants with a maximum deadline of two months (Hussein Beydoun)
The Lebanese Council of Ministers decided to approve the national plan for sustainable advancement in the electricity sector in Lebanon Attached to the letter of the Ministry of Energy and Water, after amending the date of appointment of the regulator to be in 2022 instead of 2023.
In a session held this afternoon, Wednesday, in the government palace headed by Najib Mikati, the Council of Ministers confirmed what was stated in the plan in terms of implementing Law No. 469/2002 in its current form, as well as instructing the Ministry of Energy and Water to prepare a special book of conditions for launching an international tender for the establishment of production and distribution plants. power, within a maximum period of two months from its date.
Energy Minister Walid Fayyad said after the session that “electricity plan It was approved, praise be to God, and congratulations to the great people of Lebanon.”
Fayyad pointed out that “the Council of Ministers requested that we make an effort in the matter of establishing the regulatory body as soon as possible, and I am now looking forward to the second phase after this success and meeting by the Council of Ministers.”
For his part, the Prime Minister said at the beginning of the session, “Since the beginning of our assumption of our governmental duties, we have agreed to expedite the completion of a comprehensive plan.” for the electricity sectorWe agreed in principle to the plan drawn up by the Minister of Energy and asked to include basic steps in its core, and so far this matter has not been achieved.”
Government plans lack the confidence of the people
Despite the Minister of Energy’s “blessing” of the Lebanese, citizens completely lose confidence in any electricity plan issued by the political system that has wasted billions of dollars on a sector that has plunged people into darkness and daily humiliation and made them spend what they have on private generators whose tariffs now exceed $100 per five ampere. That is, more than two million Lebanese pounds, according to the price of the platform affiliated with the Banque du Liban or the black market.
The electricity sector is one of the most wasteful sectors in Lebanon, and reforming it is a prerequisite for the international community and donors to support the country financially.
In a session held on February 25, the Council of Ministers approved the national plan to reform the electricity sector as presented by the Minister of Energy, after committing several points, including the application of Law 462 of 9/02/2002 related to the immediate regulation of the sector, especially in An apartment related to the formation of the regulatory body and the designation of its members with the approved specifications in accordance with international standards.
In addition to raising the tariff after improving nutrition, starting from 8 to 10 hours per day, taking into account those with limited income whose monthly consumption does not exceed 500 kilowatts, and taking into account the situation of the eligible productive sectors, so that all of them benefit from a special tariff.
In this context, the government is committed to adjusting the tariff gradually, and in stages, in conjunction with improving nutrition under the same conditions referred to, in a manner that allows covering costs.
Among the required points is the development of a plan to improve collection, especially through the use of smart meters and the preparation of a book of conditions for announcing a tender aimed at improving the network and producing energy in accordance with the master plan at the lowest cost, after reviewing this plan when necessary.
The Lebanese government is discussing the food security file
In the session, the Council of Ministers discussed the food security file, which it prioritizes in its meetings, in connection with the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its Lebanese repercussions, and Mikati stressed that “the food requirements are being processed, with caution, and there is no justification for the panic that took place.”
Mikati said, “I asked the Minister of Economy, Amin Salam, to have in our hands a list of all the necessary commodities for the Lebanese food basket, and the quantities that are available or that we need until the end of this year. Many countries expressed their willingness to provide us with wheat and any other materials.”
The Council instructed the Ministers of Justice, Economy, Agriculture, Finance and Education to prepare appropriate proposals in the following topics: correcting the course of the general judicial situation, food security and the issue of importing and planting wheat, the status of the Lebanese pound and withdrawals in banks and ceilings, the status of the Lebanese University and emerging educational matters, and submitting these proposals to the Council of Ministers To be discussed at the next government session.
Mikati criticizes the “impulsivity” of the judiciary in the face of banks
Mikati touched on the judicial-banking file, expressing his displeasure with the manner in which the judiciary dealt with banks.
Mikati said: “With my full respect to the judiciary, we as a cabinet cannot collectively not have an answer to what happens in the judiciary from random and emotional, especially since there is a general impression that some of what is happening in the judiciary is not related to judicial principles.”
He pointed out that “what is happening in the banking file is incorrect, and our priority was and will remain the rights of depositors, and this is what we focus on in all the plans that we are making, but the review and police method in which the file of rights and judicial issues related to banks are approached is dangerous and would undermine the rest of the confidence In the banking system, depositors will pay the price again, and I am afraid that things will develop into dire consequences if the excesses and imbalances are not resolved.”
In the context, Mikati confirmed that “the file will be followed up by the Minister of Justice to put the treatments on the right track.”