“Lebanon Debate”
The issue of the residential complex in the Dik al-Mahdi area, in the town of Zekrit on the border with the town of Deir Tmish in the northern Matn district, has returned to the forefront, amid a rise in the level of fear and anxiety among the people, with the end of the summer approaching and the start of the rainy season. Residents fear that failure to build the support wall will lead to the collapse of parts of the buildings, threatening their safety, especially since construction work in the neighboring property had, according to those concerned, caused cracks and collapses that forced a number of families to evacuate their homes.
In light of this reality, the problem of shifting responsibilities arises between the property owner, Camille Beiruti, whom residents hold responsible for the damage resulting from construction work on his property, and the municipality of Zekrit, amid demands to expedite taking the necessary measures to avoid any potential danger with the arrival of the rainy season.
To find out the truth about what is happening and how to protect the residents, Lebanon Debate contacted the mayor of Zekrit, Adeeb Morkos, who explained that he asked the property owner, Camille Beiruti, to submit a pledge to assign a reliable company to carry out the work on the property, in order to ensure the safety of the residents, in addition to securing the residents adjacent to the property in a way that preserves their rights in the event of any accident, provided that the works are carried out under the engineering supervision of the Engineers Syndicate and the Technical Office and in accordance with the rules.
Morcos pointed out that this pledge has not been implemented yet, wondering why the property owner did not do what was required of him to be able to start work. He stressed that the municipality would not allow the work to be carried out in a chaotic manner or without oversight and responsibility, especially since the work had previously begun, according to him, without “commencing work” or direct permission issued by the Engineers Syndicate.
He stressed that the municipality requires the property owner to undertake the work under the supervision of the Engineers Syndicate and through a specialized company, in addition to insuring the lives of residents neighboring the property, explaining that this insurance aims to ensure the possibility of compensating those affected in the event of any accident.
He pointed out that he sent an official letter to the property owner in this regard, explaining that the latter is working to complete the insurance applications and prepare the maps and documents required in accordance with the rules of the Engineers Syndicate, but these procedures have not been completed yet. He revealed that the property owner informed him, during their last contact, that he was preparing the required documents.
On the other hand, the property owner, Camille Beiruti, denies what the mayor is saying, stressing that the Zekrit Municipality did not grant him approval to begin work. He explained that the municipality of Dik al-Mahdi gave him its approval, but the municipality of Zekrit requires that all documents on the basis of which work will be started be accompanied by an agreement with a specialized company, an insurance policy, and a pledge to bear responsibility.
Beiruti confirmed that he had previously secured all these requirements and sent them to the mayor via phone, considering that he is still procrastinating in giving him approval to begin the work.
He stressed that he sent all the required documents, denying the truth of the statement that he did not complete the necessary papers, explaining that “every time he was provided with a document, he returned to ask for additional papers or documents.”
Beiruti explained that the mayor is the one obstructing the start of work, saying that “for two weeks, a new request has arisen every day,” denying that he had neglected to complete the papers. He added that after sending any required document, he is informed that the mayor wants to see the lawyer, and that the matter requires time, while, according to him, time is running out for the residents and the property as the rainy season approaches.
He revealed that among the suggestions he put forward was to prepare the stones and provide the necessary mechanisms to begin building the support wall even before completing all the documents. However, the mayor refused that and told him, according to Beiruti: “It is forbidden for you to take any step until I give you permission.”
Beiruti warns that everything is now ready to begin work, stressing that he has “his hands in the embers” and is trying to start work before winter arrives, to ensure the safety of the population and to avoid any dangerous developments.
He also revealed that his lawyer visited the mayor and communicated with his lawyer, who asked for papers and documents, and they were secured and sent to him. However, he requested additional documents, and he said that the last thing he asked for was to come to the municipality with the documents, in the presence of a lawyer if he was not busy, to ensure that the documents presented were the ones required, and then to study giving approval to proceed.
At the conclusion of his speech, Beiruti appealed to the mayor to give him approval to begin the work, stressing his readiness to provide any additional papers or documents requested from him, but with the need to expedite giving approval, given the sensitivity of the situation and out of concern for the safety of the residents, especially with the approaching rainy season.
