Cabinet Approves Installation of High-Voltage Lines in Metn
Cabinet approved on Tuesday a bill on the installation of high-voltage electricity lines in the North Metn towns of Mansourieh and Ain Saadeh, reported LBC television.
It added that cabinet also approved the formation of a committee that would oversee the implementation of the decision.
An agreement was also reached to provide compensation to those affected by the installation of the power lines, reported MTV.
Prime Minister Najib Miqati called on the ministers at the beginning of the session to prepare all the files that the MPs will address during a parliamentary session to assess the cabinet’s performance on 17-19 April.
“These session would be an opportunity (for the cabinet) to shed the light on the accomplishments carried out by the government,” Miqati told the ministers.
According to the National News Agency, Minister of State Salim Karam, Labor Minister Salim Jreissati, Sports and Youth Minister Faisal Karami, and Economy Minister Nicolas Nahhas didn’t attend the session.
Media reports had predicted that the cabinet would agree on the installation of the high-voltage electricity lines, saying that it will likely adopt tough measures in its implementation, including providing a cover by the security forces to install the lines despite the rejection of the residents.
An Nahar newspaper reported that the ministries of finance, energy, and interior along with the Council of Development and Reconstruction will discuss the project to install 220 kilovolts.
The ministries, according to al-Liwaa newspaper, are waiting for the green light from the cabinet before launching the project.
An Nahar daily said the state will buy the property of the residents whose homes lie under the high-voltage electricity lines.
The Ministry of Energy demanded that the authorities swiftly install the power lines and use force to implement the decision assisted by the internal security forces, arguing that the electricity lines have no health risks on the residents.
The Council of Development and Reconstruction revealed that ELEJECT Company, which won the tender, needs a 48-hours notification before kicking off the work.
The controversial plan seeks to connect a power plant in Mkalles to another in Bsalim to supply more power to the region.
However, the residents of the area argue that the project is dangerous on public health and call for the installation of the lines underground.
Sources told al-Liwaa newspaper that the government will also tackle the hospital tariffs, without discussing the appointment of top civil servants in administrative posts in state institutions.
According to the sources, the appointments will be on the agenda of the next cabinet session at the Baabda Palace.
The next cabinet session will take place on April 20 at the Grand Serail.
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