BEIRUT: Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt Thursday warned that political paralysis imposed by certain officials threatens a vital water supply development project aimed at addressing severe shortages in Lebanon.
“Leading politicians decided to enter a partial paralysis phase due to [their] narrow views,” Jumblatt wrote in a tweet. “Fire surrounds us from every side with no signs on the horizon of an election of a [new Lebanon] president.”
“Thus, [this behavior] will not allow [Parliament] to pass necessary legislation, at the forefront the $1.1 billion World Bank agreement, including [nearly] $500 million for the vital Bisri dam, which if built, will provide water to [more than] 1 million citizens.”
The World Bank in January signed an agreement with the Lebanese government granting Lebanon a $474 million loan for the construction of the Bisri dam in the southern district of Jezzine, which aims to increase water supply in the country.
Like other development projects awaiting Parliament’s approval, the dam’s funding contract will expire soon if lawmakers fail to hold a session to vote on it.
The World Bank loan agreement must to be ratified by Parliament before July 21, 2015.
The World Bank’s country director for the Middle East Ferid Belhaj has urged Parliament to speed up the approval for the construction of the Bisri dam, which he said is “crucial because it will bring potable water to about 40 percent of the population in Lebanon including half a million people living under the poverty line.”
Jumblatt stopped short of accusing any political party of being behind the political paralyses.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2015/Jun-04/300530-jumblatt-warns-against-key-lebanon-dam-plan-delay.ashx