After Suspending Duties, Is Saddi Heading for Resignation?
Energy Minister Joe Saddi had been promised that the government would address the electricity crisis by establishing a clear mechanism to schedule and pay the $250 million owed to Électricité du Liban (EDL) by state institutions, according to MTV's website sources.
The payments would enable EDL to increase power supply hours. The adoption of a variable electricity tariff was also expected to improve revenue collection and allow for additional electricity supply, reducing the number of hours households rely on private generators and, consequently, lowering their costs.
However, informed sources told MTV's website that, contrary to these assurances, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam had asked Finance Minister Yassine Jaber to prepare a draft law authorizing an additional allocation of $50 million, despite EDL needing $250 million. The proposed legislation would take around a month to pass through Parliament.
With a fuel oil tanker expected to arrive in two weeks, the sources said, the government’s approach would not provide a swift response to the crisis, but would instead lead to what they described as incomprehensible delays.
Against this backdrop, the sources told MTV's website that Saddi was seriously considering resigning, accusing the government majority of leaving him to shoulder the blame for the crisis while refusing to pursue a genuine, practical solution.
