Jumblat opposes govt. spending on 'corrupt' power sector

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat is in favor of a caretaker cabinet session that would tackle vital matters like education instead of electricity.

Jumblat considered, in remarks published Tuesday in al-Joumhouria newspaper, that the electricity problem is hard to be solved, urging for reforming the sector before spending on it.

"It is better to spend money on promoting education instead of paying fines to fake companies and brokers in the electricity sector," the PSP leader said, as he opposed a request from the caretaker energy minister for a treasury advance to cover the price of fuel imports and generate more hours of electricity per day.

Jumblat said that there is corruption, squandering and an attempt to avoid making the required reforms in the sector.

Cabinet will convene on Wednesday to discuss the electricity file, as four ships loaded with gas oil and fuel oil are stuck in Beirut’s port, subjecting Lebanon to daily penalties.

Public school teachers are also on strike, demanding an adjustment of their LBP salaries as the Lebanese pound has lost more than 95% of its value.