Lebanon continues to pay delay fines as political disputes over electricity persist

Due to the failure to unload four ships loaded with gas and fuel oil for the benefit of Electricite Du Liban (EDL), there will be a fine of $800,000 for delay. For each additional day of delay, the penalty for each ship increases by $18,000.

 

Caretaker Minister of Energy Walid Fayyad stated this to the Parliamentary Public Works, Transport, Energy, And Water Committee, which has no choice but to speak up.

 

However, the committee's discussions on this matter demonstrated that political disputes are what causes the Lebanese to go without electricity and to squander more money.

 

The committee's discussions on how to pay for these fuel ships have not resulted in any progress. The minister of energy continues to insist on enforcing the exceptional approval decision. In contrast, the finance minister insists on deciding the financing matter in the Cabinet.

 

In the committee, there were sharp discussions between Caretaker Minister Fayyad and several MPs, especially MP Ziyad Hawat. These discussions stayed within the political context. 

 

Some backed Fayyad and absolved him of the duty of bringing in the ships, those who blamed him directly from squandering of funds, and those who emphasized that the solution is primarily political.

 

In conclusion, Lebanon will continue to accrue delay fines unless the financing is finished. Caretaker Minister of Energy has a solution that is based on encouraging the Lebanese to resort to the streets to pressure for securing the funding, noting that when this occurs, he can negotiate with  Vitol company for a discount related to the value of the delay fines.