President of the National Dialogue Party, MP Fouad Makhzoumi, visited Beirut Governor Judge Marwan Abboud, leading a delegation of businesspeople and investors. They discussed the situation in the capital, Beirut, and its needs, particularly with regard to the electricity crisis.
Makhzoumi said: “As people of Beirut, we reject the current situation. It is unacceptable for the downtown commercial district to be plunged into complete darkness, not to mention the negative impact of power outages on the businesses of investors who employ hundreds of staff and workers. Is it acceptable for Beirut and its commercial district to be left in darkness because Solidere or any other company is unable to secure diesel fuel?” He stressed that the primary objective was to safeguard citizens’ well-being, security, and interests.
Makhzoumi continued, saying that he had affirmed his support for the Governor amid the deteriorating situation. He added: “Solidere will be asked to provide electricity. If, for any reason, it is unable to do so by Monday, we have asked the Governor to designate a plot of land where we can install generators to supply electricity to the markets and commercial establishments at cost price.”
He concluded by emphasizing the need to find a way to illuminate the streets of downtown Beirut, as well as those in other commercial areas of the capital, including Mazraa, Msaytbeh, and elsewhere.
For his part, Governor Abboud stressed that the situation was extremely difficult and the crisis severe, significantly affecting people’s lives on security, economic, and health levels, as well as impacting the commercial sector and businesses. He noted that the ongoing electricity outages threatened to force many establishments to close, further aggravating unemployment, driving workers to leave the country, and increasing poverty rates. He added that the outages were also turning downtown Beirut into an abandoned area reminiscent of its condition during the civil war, saying: “This is something we will not allow to happen.”
Judge Abboud noted that he had discussed the situation the previous day with representatives of Solidere. He reiterated that he would provide the company with every possible form of assistance to secure electricity, but stressed that if it failed to do so, he would not allow businesses to be forced to close their doors. “This is a red line,” he declared.
For his part, Mr. Karim Shabaklo, a downtown Beirut merchant, thanked MP Makhzoumi for his initiative. He noted that relations with Solidere were very good, but that they had now reached a dead end. “While we understand how difficult this period is, we have a responsibility toward our employees and their families, and we must provide for them,” he said.
He also thanked the Governor for granting Solidere additional time, adding that if the company proved unable to provide electricity, they would resort to individual initiatives and obtain the necessary permits from the Governor’s Office to supply electricity and reopen Beirut’s markets.