Hosted by the National Campaign for the Protection of the Litani River Basin, at its headquarters timer at the Central Office of the Municipal Movement “Amal” Environment Minister Tariq al-Khatib in the meeting provided by a member of “meet the mass resistance,” MP Ali Fayyad and the official municipal affairs in the movement of “Amal” Bassam Talis, and was attended by environmentalists experts The heads of the Union of municipalities, mayors and members of the campaign to follow all the procedures and decisions issued and the development work. It was in search developments and problems experienced by citizens as a result of the pollution in the river and damage derived from this pollution.
Fayyad
MP Fayyad welcomed the Minister of Environment and thanked him for accepting the invitation, which comes within the context of the meetings of the campaign to accelerate the work in this file. He explained the problem of pollution from the parks in the south, which is located on the banks of the river, and stressed that “there is a great commitment and very high so far by them to settle their situation in the construction of sewage networks, but of course there are some parks violating so far and work to resolve this problem.”
He also talked about the efforts of the Minister of Industry Hussein Haj Hassan on the subject of industrial plants in the Bekaa area and the pollution resulting from it and the notes issued by the Ministry of Industry for violating laboratories that do not comply with the proper environmental standards. “Work is underway to get rid of all negligence and non-compliance with environmental conditions, before them and not lax in this matter. ”
Fayyad added: “Despite the magnitude of the problem and aggravation, but great efforts are being made numerous activities carried out and campaign progressing in its work, but no one is expected to solve the problem of accumulated over the years in a few months.” The question is: Is it permissible for the situation to continue as it is? The problem is great and the law that is issued is in need of years. Is it permissible to leave this issue or the approach in solving it for an indefinite period?
He also raised the subject of Zahle water refining station, which has been completed for years and is still not operational because of the lack of electricity, which is the largest station in Zahle. As a national campaign and in cooperation with municipal associations, municipalities and environmental experts, we are all ready to help because we believe that the Litani issue is a national issue and requires great efforts at all levels. And with all the gratitude we welcome His Excellency the Minister of Environment and bet on his presence and his approach to the problem of the Litani. ”
Minister of Environment
“We meet today to discuss ways to protect the Litani River, and how can we not do that and the benefits of this river are endless and endless?”
He said: “The length of the Litani River (170 km) and the area of its basin (about 2,175 square kilometers, or about 20% of the area of Lebanon) make it the main water artery of Lebanon and Lake Qaroun, the largest artificial lake in Lebanon with a capacity of about 220 million cubic meters, in the irrigation of about 30% of the irrigated land in Lebanon; and which generates Lebanon hydroelectric power since the construction of the dam in 1959, an indication of the keenness of Lebanon on the use of renewable energy since then. this is not the only environmental aspect related to this river, Fetroh distinctive ecosystems associated with it the fact that the lake is very important Qaraoun habitat for migratory birds. this is without talking about the Prospectus Tourist authorities on the banks of the river and the lake, and on the canal 800th project (RI South) initial project (major drinking water supply of Beirut), which will increase the scope of the beneficiaries of the Litani River to become about two-thirds of the Lebanese. ”
“However, as we know, the benefits of this river are offset by the increasing pollution challenges: pollution of river water and sediment from waste, liquid and solid, hazardous and non-hazardous, from homes (solid waste and sewage), industrial and other institutions Etc.), and the agricultural sector (excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides), in addition to what hinders the course of the river (ie, encroachments due to the random construction, and the waste of sandmills and their laundries, quarries and crushing.) Perhaps the biggest testimony is the daily suffering of our sisters in the Bekaa, displaced Syrians crisis Almto Large proportions in the grandparent of the Litani River Basin area without the necessary or adequate waste management systems that they produce. ”
“In light of this bitter reality, the relevant departments combined with the Ministry of Environment, Ministries of Energy and Water, Industry, Agriculture, Interior and Municipalities, Public Health, Council for Development and Reconstruction, Bekaa Water Authority, National Authority of the Litani River, scientific Research), each according to his powers and in cooperation with municipalities, to identify projects to put an end to this pollution from the spring to the downstream: projects related to the establishment of plants for the treatment of solid household waste health and landfills, and other related to the completion of sewage networks and the establishment of treatment plants; and two sections others Mtal The industrial pollution and agricultural pollution, as well as for the development of corporate governance initiatives. ”
He continued: “the value of these projects are estimated at 1,100 billion LL, almost the basin upper third and the rest minimum basin, approved by Law No. 63 Date of 27/10/2016, known as the 1.100 billion law, for” allocation of funds for the implementation of some projects and the work of eminent domain belonging to her in the Litani River basin from the spring to the downstream area, which was corrected on 02/23/2017. The Council of Ministers form, by its resolution No. 32 Date of 05/09/2014, a committee comprising representatives of all these departments and municipalities to follow the proper implementation of these projects. This committee meets monthly at the invitation of the National Authority of the Litani River as its General Secretariat, and reports every six months to the Council of Ministers on the progress of work – the latest report issued earlier this month.
He said: “If we try to summarize the reality of these projects, we found that in the back of the basin top of the Litani River:
– Credits to cover the most important solid waste projects;
– Those related to sanitation are insured by percentages- Industrial waste requires the cooperation of owners of industrial establishments to benefit from the financial facilities provided by the Ministry of Environment in cooperation with the Banque du Liban, the World Bank and the Italian Government to comply with environmental standards within the deadlines, otherwise the closure; The activities related to agricultural extension and governance are ongoing. “This is in the upper basin. As for the lower basin, the mega projects have not yet begun, because the nature of this issue necessitates prioritizing the Naba’a area before the downstream area. We are a He said: “From this presentation, what recommendations are needed to complete the process: 1. Safe return of displaced Syrians to their motherland 2. Intensify efforts to complete the implementation of the map The way to combat the pollution of Lake Qaraoun and the Litani River in the proper and rapid manner, namely: expediting the implementation of loans and grants, especially related to acquisitions, tenders and contracts, and implementation, to strengthen communication with regional regional partners to secure the missing resources for implementation; During the visit brother (Law No. 64/2016 – $ 55 million), it was highlighted by us and by the CDR that it is important to start preparing for a second loan from the Bank And the priority projects in the lower basin, based on a general environmental plan for this basin sets the priorities, expedite the implementation of Cabinet Resolution No. 106 of 27/10/2016 which The CDR gave a $ 25 million treasury advance to complete Ashghal The expansion and rehabilitation of the waterways and the establishment of rainwater drainage channels in the area of the Litani Basin. “As noted in our letter dated May 15, 2017 to the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR), these works will alleviate the suffering of citizens in the Litani area , Pending the completion of the above projects carried out by the Council for Development and Reconstruction in cooperation with local and international partners. Improve the communication between concerned departments and municipalities through the committee formed by the Council of Ministers Resolution No. 32 of 9/5/2014 to supervise the proper implementation of the road map. Strict control and prevention of infringements and strict enforcement of applicable laws and regulations, in cooperation with environmental public lawyers and environmental investigation judges who have been assigned on the basis of Act 251/2014 and the Environmental Officer when they are introduced pursuant to Decree 3989 / 2016.5. To develop the process of monitoring the water of the river in quantity and quality in order to improve the quality of available information, and thus the quality of research and the quality of development policies in this field. To change the method of communication in environmental issues in order to convey constructive messages to all concerned; this is essential for the development of more sustainable Lebanese habits. Emphasize on environmental education and raise the sense of responsibility of all Lebanese without exception, and stimulate the small daily activities that preserve natural resources, to become a lifestyle … For example, perhaps one day, with the help of municipalities, schools, scouts and all interested, The Minister of the Environment. “On this occasion, I can not fail to recall what the President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, prefers at the signing ceremony of his book,” On the occasion of the anniversary of the revolution, What I believe in “in this seventh A month, when he said, “Who has preceded us to plant the cedar that we see, and it is thousands of years old, and he has not lived to see it grow, and we are also like his example, and our children and grandchildren will complete our planting after us. “Our children have never seen the Litani River as we have known it, a river that flows profusely and flows with its fruits on the areas it passes through, and we may not live to see it as it was before. However, if we spilled on the implementation of these projects, with cooperation and effort, the day will come when our children will learn about the river as we described it and preserve it for future generations. “” You lived and lived in the Litani river and lived Lebanon. ” The first was under the direction of President Nabih Berri and everyone is enthusiastic about this work and without charge because the answer is the purity of this river and its return as it was before, and its positives affect all the Lebanese as well as its negative aspects. “We are used to Committees, teams and others, but there is a law in the hands of this government, this law is funded and is located at the state, and this law allows the payment of funds to start the business and here the problem is that the work must start immediately and seriously and seriously. ” parks and also at the level of laboratories in the Bekaa and there was a bold decision to stop Sandboxes and crushers that pollute the river so hand in hand can do serious and real work and Mbacr.oan cries of people in Barr Elias and turf, which we’ve heard all of yesterday as a result of soreness and pain suffered by citizens in towns in Bekaa adjacent to River pollution is serious and serious diseases, cancer derived from this pollution, these people want us solutions and want to see real act seriously and effectively and practically. Today we have to start BalchWhat practical day can this cry be solved ?? There is a refinery in Zahle which is solving a large part of the Bar Elias crisis. What is the reason for not running it today? We toured and visited the refinery earlier and it is ready to run but what is the hidden pole and why it does not work yet? What else can happen to the other stations? This is a dangerous sign. A cry on behalf of the campaign and you are the first person responsible for this file. We ask you at least to reach this cry and make an immediate decision to operate the Zahle station. This is the responsibility of the government as well. “The meeting also included a number of environmental experts, including Dr. Naji Qudeih, who presented a set of proposals as pressing priorities for launching and starting work immediately, including: – A group of refineries to treat wastewater and provide all the conditions for immediate operation and not delay under any excuse – Factories and their pollutant solution of this problem in line with the memorandum of the Minister of Industry .- The establishment of concrete barriers to prevent sanding leaks on the subject of crushers and elevators .- Reconsider the manner of providing minimum flows of water so that we do not allow there to be distances of dry riverbed .- We Volunteers The Minister of the Environment reiterated: “I am one of you, your representative in the ministry. We are all here in agreement on the causes, sources and results of the pollution. This is the result of the national campaign to protect the Litani and we will be at the disposal of the Ministry of the Environment and we will put all our expertise and possibilities to reach the desired solutions in this vital file. Accumulation for many years and we as a ministry do not have executive authority and the Council for Development and Reconstruction is authorized to undertake projects. There are funds secured and there is a road map that we have to put in the hands of experts to add some observations on them, the CDR to implement several projects at the same time to shorten the time. As for the environmental control, it can not alone to ensure control and prosecution and here comes the role of security forces and the role of municipalities also. “The minister suggested that” a pressure committee is formed from all the Bekaa and all the deputies of the South to be a pressure paper on the Council for Development and Reconstruction and its demand to implement these projects immediately and not procrastinate and a subject of providing electricity with the energy minister, who promised to secure electricity in three months, “.alorteurat: and finally seal Fayyad to declare the following decisions: a secure all papers relating to the protection of groundwater and the delivery to the competent minister .- the perfect place to discuss these recommendations are all Which ministerial NH provides a flexible framework to address decisions .- accelerator station Zahle refinery and remove the contract in front of electricity secure its contribution .- Prime Minister to accelerate the pace of work .- activate Public Prosecutions and the formation of direct environmental control .otunaih
