The Public Works, Transport, Energy, and Water Committee held a session today, Thursday, at the Parliament, chaired by MP Saji Atiyeh, with the attendance of the Minister of Public Works in the caretaker government, Ali Hamieh, as well as MPs, the President of the Land Transport Unions, Bassam Tleis, and representatives from concerned administrations.
After the meeting, Atiyeh stated: "We discussed transportation and public safety issues, along with the law, as well as the security plan and the problems presented by the unions. I would like to say that regarding the security plan, they confirmed it is a good and necessary plan, and we support it even if there are some flaws. However, we want the authority of the state, and it is required from the government to ensure the necessary measures and to operate the beneficial entities. I hope the Minister of Interior, who was not present with us, addresses the matter. We will raise our recommendations and will also discuss traffic and facilities. The unions presented their problems, indicating that there is chaos in public transport."
For his part, Hamieh said: "Regarding transportation, we addressed key points; first, the trucks and 'overloading'. We noticed recently the slippage of trucks, and I would like to point out that there is a law issued by the Parliament, which is the traffic law, and we call for its activation. We will submit a decree to the Cabinet concerning traffic."
Hamieh added: "We also discussed the Tripoli port issue; we are determined to expand the Tripoli port. The committee conducted a visit to the Tripoli port in February 2023 and sent recommendations to the concerned ministries, and our role is to activate all relevant facilities. What the trucks carry pertains to customs and security agencies. The third issue is vehicles and 'tuk-tuks'; we are in favor of enforcing the law. We are partners with the Ministry of Interior regarding the numbers, and I point out that the matter of the beneficial entities should be resolved so that citizens can complete their transactions."
