16 September 2010
BEIRUT: Energy and Water Minister Jibran Bassil, speaking during a news conference Wednesday, announced a new strategy aimed at organizing Lebanon’s water sector and setting a legal framework for issuing permits for digging water wells. The strategy includes an explanation on how to spread water wealth in an appropriate fashion. Bassil also announced that the issuing of permits for the building of wells would stop, adding that the practice had become very common at the Internal Security Forces institution. He also assured he would never accept any violation committed by ministry employees who tried to sell permits behind his back. Bassil also spoke about the conditions that needed to be fulfilled before issuing permits for building new wells. One condition imposes that citizens not have any other source of water. “Citizens should also send applications by Libanpost to ensure ministry employees do not get in direct contact with people,” he said. Bassil noted the term of licenses would extend for one year only. “As for wells that exceed 150 square meters, they need a special degree for approving on their construction.” – The Daily Star
Copyright The Daily Star 2010.
