Shehayyeb: Politicians Should Keep their Disputes Away from Trash File
Agriculture Minister Akram Shehayyeb declared on Wednesday that the export of Lebanon's trash is not the only solution to the country's months-long problem, but said that it is the most feasible one at the moment.
He said after a meeting of parliament's environment committee: “Politicians should concern themselves with politics and keep their disputes away from this file.”
“All political forces advocated reaching a solution to this dispute, but few of them committed to their statements,” he lamented during a press conference from parliament.
“We have no alternative at the moment to exporting the waste, which is a product of months of discussions,” he stressed.
“This is the hardest solution, but it is a solution that is close to insanity in a country that has rejected all sound ones,” explained Shehayyeb.
“The stalling in this file does not serve anyone,” he stated, while highlighting the ongoing hazards of prolonging the implementation of the solution.
“Theories that are difficult to implement at the moment should be put on hold and we should address feasible solutions,” he stated.
“The harm caused by the problem is much greater than the cost of exporting the trash,” he remarked.
“The government alone is not responsible for this issue, but everyone is,” he noted.
The minister said that cabinet has taken its decision to export the garbage and preparations are ongoing to implement it.
Discussions over this issue will remain open however, he told reporters, while saying: “The media and some environmentalists should give us a break.”
“We are seeking the decentralization of the waste file in order to allow municipalities to take over this issue,” Shehayyeb added.
Lebanon was plunged in a waste management crisis following the closure in July of the Naameh landfill.
Officials have for months failed to find an alternative to the dump, resulting in the accumulation of trash on the streets throughout the country.
The cabinet in December approved the export of the waste despite reservations of the Kataeb and Change and Reform blocs.
M.T.
G.K.
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