The environmental issue is back to the forefront in Batroun and its surroundings, and this time the concern comes from Koura, particularly the town of Kefraya which is tightly linked to the neighboring Batroun towns of Chekka and Al Heri, especially after the Environment Ministry issued a decree allowing the incineration of expired medicine in the ovens of Holcim Company, bypassing the authority of concerned municipalities, which in turn categorically rejected the decision. Head of the Environmental Protection Committee in Chekka, Pierre Abi Chahine, told the National News Agency that in 2013 there was a “failed experience with Holcim Company, which attempted to burn five tons of medicaments, but turned out to have burnt forty tons instead of medicines and corrupt material.” “I visited the mayor of the North, Ramzi Nohra, who formed a committee of advisors to study places for the incineration of medicines at the company, and I informed him that there is a circular issued by PM Foad Siniora which forbids advisors from being part of any committee. The mayor’s response was that he wants to apply the law.” According to Abi Chahine, the environment law 444 in article 12 says that only the Cabinet is allowed to give permits in grave environmental issues, and any other decision issued by the Environment Ministry or a mayor is not valid. “The decision of the municipalities of Kefraya, Chekka and Al Heri to reject the burning of medicines and corrupt material in the ovens of Holcim Company has been taken to Deputy Speaker Farid Makari, Minister Boutros Harb and MP Antoine Zahra, all of whom refused said incineration.” Abi Chahine addressed Holcim Company, calling upon it to “have mercy upon people, as money is not everything, especially when it is at the expense of our children’s health.” He urged the company to burn garbage “far away from us.” He also hoped that Holcim Company would reject the decision to burn medicines and corrupt material. As for depots owners, Abi Chahine noted that they used to send medications abroad for incineration, so why would they now accept to burn them “on our land?” He also pleaded with Minister of the Environment to export trash and corrupt material abroad. “The pollution and environmental problems we suffer from are enough as is.” “We call upon the municipalities of Koura to take to the streets and protest this matter. And in case the decision to use Holcim ovens is acted upon, we will carry out civilized sit-ins to refuse harming the health of our children “who will protect citizens from Kefraya to Chekka and Al Heri from the pollution caused by the company’s emissions?” Report by Michella Sassine Translation by Rasha Zantout NNA
Environmental pollution infiltrates Batroun villages, families fear decision to incinerate medicaments in Holcim ovens and concerned municipalities refuse having their authority exceeded![]()
