The Ministry of Energy and Water's media office has issued a statement addressing an article by journalist Azza Al-Hajj Hassan titled "16 Years of Darkness... Energy Ministers Compete for "No Electricity." The article, published on "Al-Modon" on August 24, 2026, has been described as unfair and reviving populist slogans, most notably "all means all." The statement contends that equating those allegedly involved in corruption and mismanagement with the current minister, Joe Al-Sadi, known for his transparency and integrity, is a serious misrepresentation of the facts.
The Ministry aims to clarify several points to counter any misunderstandings:
1. It is deemed illogical to place the responsibility on the current Minister, who assumed the role a year and a half ago amidst a national crisis, on par with those who managed the ministry for 16 years during periods of financial stability and investor interest.
2. Criticism of the Ministry’s measured responses to rampant misinformation campaigns have been unfounded. The statement defends the need to issue clarifications to prevent misleading the public, denying accusations that such actions equate to unnecessary backlash.
3. Contrary to claims of inaction, the Ministry asserts active engagement through a comprehensive seven-path strategy to address electricity supply, including advancing solar farms and improving the electrical grid through the newly formed regulatory authority.
4. The Ministry challenges the logic that the ongoing power supply absence justifies halting forensic audits on past energy agreements, such as those involving leased power ships from Turkey. They emphasize the separation of supply efforts from accountability pursuits.
5. The statement recollects the contracting of Turkish energy ships in 2012, extending until 2021, and raises issues of these temporary measures becoming de facto permanent solutions, highlighting reforms previously pushed by certain government factions.
6. In response to demands for solution discussions, the Ministry reiterates openness to foreign investment and collaboration with the private sector, referencing ongoing dialogues with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and financial security stipulations.
Finally, the Ministry contests characterizations of it as inaction-prone, outlining their focus on legal reforms and fiscal responsibility against reliance on debt accumulation, contrasting previous management strategies that lacked transparency and accountability.