Head of Finance and Budget Committee MP Ibrahim Kanaan declared that “during Wednesday’s evening session, an amount of 100 billion LBP dedicated for the fiber optics project of the Telecom Ministry has been suspended,” adding that only 6% of the project has been implemented so far. “We cannot continue the funding before knowing the complete details of the works,” he explained.
Following a committee meeting in the presence of caretaker Energy and Water Minister Nada Boustani and caretaker Health Minister Jamil Jabak in order to discuss and pass the budgets of the both ministries, Kanaan pointed out that they asked for all the Energy Ministry’s investment projects and their complete details before approving the funding, adding that they suspended the item related to the Energy Center Association.
“We inquired about the failure to appoint a board for the Electricite Du Liban Company and the energy minister said that this will be finalized in the first upcoming cabinet session,” he added.
He also revealed after the meeting that the first oil well will be drilled in February 2020 according to the energy minister.
On another note, Kanaan explained that they discussed the state’s contribution to the governmental hospitals, noting that they asked Jabak to present a detailed report in this regard.
The deputy emphasized that they are keen on reaching reductions in the budgets.