“Currently, the ministry is emphasizing the importance of public safety and preserving the environment,” said Aurore Feghali, the director general of oil-related matters at the ministry. The proliferation of illegal gas stations is a matter of public safety, Feghali said. “The ministry prepared a draft law in 2010 to deal with the status of gas stations. Included were those established without a legal license as well as those with expired licenses, and we are waiting for it to be endorsed,” said Feghali, who was representing Energy Minister Arthur Nazarian. She was speaking during a workshop about the “Safety and Environmental Challenges in the Distribution of Petroleum Products in Lebanon,” held at ESCWA in collaboration with the directorate general of oil at the ministry and IPT Energy Center. In order to tackle these pressing issues, the Energy Ministry is currently working to implement public safety and environment protection measures, including a plan to accredit existing gas stations and inspect them to ensure there are safe. “The topic of pollution resulting from hydrocarbon fuels calls for special care from those concerned with energy and environment in Lebanon, especially in the transportation sector,” said Rola Majdalani, director of Sustainable Development and Productivity Division at ESCWA, adding that the sector uses more than 50 percent of fluid petroleum products. “The sector of distribution of petroleum products in Lebanon still needs a clear petroleum policy,” said Tony Issa, president of IPTEC, adding that such a policy can reassure both companies and investors.
The Daily Star
