Geagea Says LF Vote on Budget Conditioned to Privatization of Electricity
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea emphasized on Monday that party ministers and lawmakers will not vote in favor of the draft budget plan if it does not include the privatization of the state-run electricity sector.
“I assure you, the Lebanese Forces' ministers and lawmakers will not vote for the budget without privatizing the electricity sector,” Geagea told LBCI.
“The privatization of the electricity sector will help us save $ 1.5 billion” he said, stressing that the country will be supplied with electricity 24/24 without additional expenses if this decision is taken.
He stressed that the Lebanese Forces' position is clear and firm because it benefits the people at the electricity level, and benefits the state at the financial level.
Three cabinet sessions are scheduled this week to discuss and approve the long-stalled state budget.
Due to political wrangling between the rival political parties, Lebanon has not approved a budget since 2005.
27 February 2017, 16:58
12
1- privatize the sector
2- give a head start to EDL then open the market to competition
3- government gives incentives for renewable energy. Wind turbines, sea turbines, photovoltaic.
Where's the big deal!?
27 February 2017, 17:30
13
Totally agree with i.report. In addition to incentives; first, enact net-metering by requiring dual counters at homes with PV so no batteries are needed (consumers pay difference between generated and used power); second, government should provide research money on renewable to all major universities (can team up with start-ups). If government subsidize 10% of renewable, for every watt it pays, ten watts will be generated by the private sector. Net-metering benefits EDL as solar power is at its peak when power demand is highest for AC use.
27 February 2017, 21:02
01
renewable energy. Wind turbines, sea turbines, photovoltaic. 100% and no private generators except hospitals etc
28 February 2017, 09:58
00
No I have not. It means there's a communication problem. I have not seen a single wind turbine in my country yet. But generators mafias have infiltrated the 10452 Km².
27 February 2017, 17:16
00
Well now it is run by the State which is obviously not accountable to the people.
Privatising and fostering competition would give incentive for companies to provide the best & most efficient services, just like it does in most free-markets. Let in domestic or foreign companies or private investors - perhaps a few royals from KSA? (since they love spending money in Lebanon so much) - who realise real financial opportunity and in return can offer the people a real benefit. Commercial enterprise is more beneficial than relying on government because the mutual benefit is transparent - a loss of quality would only be a problem if one company had a monopoly over the sector, if there's competition a drop in quality means a drop in market share.
27 February 2017, 18:23
01
Privatization will work for one simple reason, it has been proven to work in Europe and the US.
We all know what the government run company has not been able to do. Privatization must come with few regulation by an oversight committee to protect consumers when it comes to rates and company's efficiency.
27 February 2017, 23:39
10
You're describing oligopoly privatization and not pure competition.
In case of pure competition, the service is competitive and the prices are competitive.
For example, in the case of DSL, the private sector was about to start DSL, and they were pushed over by the government and we ended up stuck with a horrendous DSL service which has no plans of ever upgrading (the system cannot get better, it needs a complete restructure of infrastructure)
Had the private sector done it, it would have done a far better job and having many companies competing would push for better service and lower prices.
27 February 2017, 23:44
01
I agree with you flamethrower here
a za3im will be the main beneficiary for sure.
And our electric bill will go up.
But it certainly won't be more expensive than the 60-100 usd I pay for 5 amps a month
I prefer privatization and 24/7 electricity over paying generator mafia (who end up in the za3im pocket also)
