Bassil: We Will Not Remain Silent over Zahrani Power Plant Shutdown
Energy Minister Jebran Bassil condemned on Monday the shutdown of the Zahrani power plant, describing it as an attack against state institutions.
He said during a press conference: “We will not remain silent over the incident.”
He stressed that the shutdown incurred major losses for Electricite du Liban and the country’s economy.
Such a power outage was unprecedented and it did not even take place during the civil war, the minister remarked.
Bassil noted that the shutdown was not motivated by political or sectarian goals.
He explained that the 40 megawatt transformer belongs to Sidon, while the 20 megawatt transformer belongs to the Zahrani area.
The power plant was shut down on Friday in protest over the transportation of a 40 MVA power transformer in the plant from Zahrani to Sidon, said Electricite du Liban.
Furthermore, Bassil criticized political officials’ demands to him that energy be provided to their respective areas of control.
“We are obligated to tackle the people’s demands on a daily basis. We cannot resolve the energy crisis when we are overloaded with petty political demands,” he added.
The minister thanked Prime Minister Najib Miqati’s efforts to resolve the shutdown, hoping that politicians translate their statements over the energy crisis into actions in order to end the problem.
“I urge the security authorities to hold those responsible for the shutdown accountable for their actions. Remaining silent over the incident is a crime,” he said.
In addition, he urged the security authorities to protect the power plant from future incidents.
over 12 years
u want to confront? or u want to turn? ur voltage is not enough for the dinosaur trifase esteez.....another harb elgha or tahrir for the general
over 12 years
When you breed a monster to fight your foes the monster will soon turn around and devour you.
If those who closed the zahrani plant are related to Hezbollah or Amal there will be no consequences for them no matter how irked bassil becomes.
over 12 years
Isn't this guy who keeps pointing to the hole in his head the energy minister? Shouldn't he know, before any others why a major power plant shut down and wasn't he in the best position not to make it shut down? He had to have the PM intervene to bail him out?
Not only are they greedy, but incompetent too.
over 12 years
Look at my finger.......it points to the place his brain should be.
Isan't it enough the Shia don't pay for electricity? Now they have to show that they are truly M'tweili, and play more electricity games?
over 12 years
Youssef Haddad,
I read your comments regularly and the sectarianism, the ignorance pours through every nuance and word. Although we are each entitled to our own opinions, we are not entitled to our own facts. You're right-wing school was shut down years ago, I would think after it's failure you at the very least would adopt a more pragmatic or rational approach. I could care less about Hezbllah or Amal, but let's relax and get the facts first. You have no basis or proof the employees belong to any political party.
over 12 years
Hey Gebran, who is the only group to attack state institutions??? Why don't you call Dahye and find out??
over 12 years
those who break the law must be punished. that's how a civil society works. lawlessness leads to chaos, chaos leads to selfishness and selfishness leads to destruction and bloodshed.
over 12 years
Winston Churchill Quotes. An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.
over 12 years
Blame Mr Berri the feudal sectarian leader....
MrBrain
over 12 years
oh please do !
over 12 years
why don't you ask them to pay their electricity bill first?
over 12 years
shame on Naharnews to publish low level comments that promote hatred within the Lebanese community...
over 12 years
The tree that does not bear fruit, cut it and eliminate its existence.
If the Zahrani is feeding power to non paying customers then I would reward the folks who shut it down instead of throwing them in jail because they have just executed the smartest thing any economic and engineer might have thought of by saving the state burning fuel for the transformers.
I would give them a 10% raise for the amount of money they saved the state since burning fuel to generate free electricity is a loss anyway.
over 12 years
when people say the truth they are accused of sectarian talks. very funny :)
That is the fist time i fully agree with Minister Bassil... i hope that the opposition will show solidarity ( words & actions) with such position. Should it not be the case...we would be all heading to programmed self destruction.