The telecommunications sector in Lebanon faces a persistent new threat due to the lack of maintenance, resulting from the depletion of funds allocated for this purpose. While the Minister of Telecommunications in the caretaker government, Johnny al-Qarm, reassures that there is no fear of internet outages, "Ogero" warns of a "gradual halt to the maintenance and operation of the national network."
The Director General of "Ogero," Imad Kriydieh, confirms that "there is no money for maintenance, and the responsible parties are both the Ministries of Finance and Telecommunications." He states in an interview with MTV: "Despite the current situation, 'Ogero' continues to fulfill its responsibilities and operates; we are now in July, and the Ministry of Finance has not transferred the required amounts that were voted on by the Parliament in the 2024 budget law," questioning, "Funds have run out, how can we work?"
Kriydieh notes that he is in constant contact with the Minister of Finance, in the caretaker government, Youssef Khalil, but the issue is stuck in the Ministry of Finance and with the Court of Audit that has not yet approved the contracts. He adds, "We bear the responsibility of running the public service, and I am committed to this matter, but there is no possibility to continue and perform maintenance work without funds."
Regarding his recent post on the "X" platform, Kriydieh clarifies that what he published was a warning that communications are at risk. Concerning al-Qarm's reassurance that there is no fear for the internet, he states: "The Minister of Telecommunications works in politics, and I work in technology. The reality today is that 'Ogero's' funds are empty, and without money, there is no maintenance."
Kriydieh emphasizes that "the citizen has not yet felt the crisis, and the problem lies in a system that does not reflect the importance of the telecommunications sector. Until now, the service is available and work continues, but if maintenance is not carried out, we may reach a dangerous point of communication and internet outages." He concludes, saying: "We may survive for a few days or even a week, but we must secure funds for continuity; there is no possibility to repair faults if operations stop at any central office."
