Minister of Public Works and Transport in the caretaker government, Ali Hamiyeh, continued his tours of public facilities managed by the ministry with an inspection visit to several snow clearance centers across various Lebanese regions. He checked on the conditions of the workers and seasonal employees, affirming that "the snow-clearing equipment, which had not been maintained for over two years and was almost out of service, is currently being serviced in preparation for snow clearance and to prevent the isolation of areas from each other, given the importance of opening roads for tourism, social, economic, and financial reasons."
After being welcomed by some heads of snow clearance centers and mayors of Faqra and Kfardebian, along with a group of seasonal workers, and in the presence of the Director General of Roads and Buildings at the ministry, Tanius Boulos, Hamiyeh held a press conference at the snow clearance center in Faqra. He stated: "Our primary concern at the ministry is traffic safety on all roads, and we will not accept their closures due to white snow. Our second priority is to enter the winter tourism season comfortably as the holiday season approaches."
He continued: "Everyone knows the circumstances and reasons that led to the severe financial crisis the country is experiencing, not least the successive financial policies of the last 30 years, which are all beyond our control. Consequently, the ministry's budget has become very tight, despite it being one of the most important ministries that contributes significantly to the public treasury, alleviating the impact of the crisis facing the nation. However, as we are bound by the budget law, and because the limitations of this budget have directly affected the needs and requirements of snow clearance centers, whether in terms of diesel or salt or renting the necessary equipment to cover the shortage in the ministry's vehicles, which number around 120 distributed across 19 centers needing regular maintenance."
He added: "A meager amount of 300 million Lebanese pounds, approximately 7,000 dollars at today’s exchange rate, was earmarked for such maintenance. We did not stand still in the face of this reality."
He reassured the heads of the centers and municipalities, as well as those interested in winter tourism, that "all preparations have been completed to welcome the snow season, which began about a month and a half ago. We corresponded with the Ministry of Finance to secure allocations for salt and diesel, alongside a crucial matter regarding the basic financial rights of seasonal workers, for whom we fought and succeeded through the Cabinet to raise their wages to at least a minimum that ensures their continuity and decent living conditions."
He stated: "The main issue that remained a barrier was the maintenance of the equipment and the necessary insurance for its drivers to mitigate potential work-related accidents. In this regard, over a month ago, a businessman visited my office offering to assist the ministry, considering that what we are doing deserves trust and appreciation. After welcoming and thanking him, we discussed the maintenance issue, and indeed, after some time, he contacted us confirming his readiness to cover this matter, which was realized without us receiving a single lira in the ministry, leaving it to him and the supplier companies to negotiate. After informing us that an agreement had been reached, those companies will indeed carry out the maintenance under the ministry's supervision, and in just a few days, all the equipment associated with the 18 snow clearance centers, amounting to more than 100 vehicles, will have been serviced."
He further mentioned: "In this context as well, one of the deputies from the northern third district contacted us over a month ago, expressing readiness to secure maintenance for the equipment at the Arz center, which was also approved."
He concluded: "Lebanon is a country dear to all our hearts. It is not a poor or incapable nation, but a country that is suffering. We call upon everyone to unite and cooperate to help our country rise. Regarding the French grant buses, they were registered yesterday after a long struggle. We promise in the railways and transport services to initiate their operation swiftly on the roads, and we will announce the details next week."
