The session of the Parliamentary Economics Committee, headed by Representative Farid Al-Bustani, witnessed a heated debate during the discussion of the issue of electric generators, in light of the increasing complaints of citizens about tariffs, inconvenience, and pollution, and the continued reliance on private generators due to the absence of adequate electrical supply.

During the session, Al-Bustani stressed the right of representatives to exercise their oversight role and hold representatives of the executive authority accountable, stressing that “it is the duty of ministers and departments to answer MPs’ questions within a framework of mutual respect, and that the exercise of parliamentary oversight is a constitutional right that cannot be derogated from.” This came during the weekly session held by the committee headed by Representative Farid Al-Bustani, and in the presence of Minister of Economy Amer Al-Bassat, Minister of Environment Tamara Al-Zein, Acting Director General of Investment in the Ministry of Energy and Water, Fadia Hayek, and Advisor to the Minister of Energy. Water, Boutros Hadchiti, where the meeting was devoted to discussing the file of electric generators.


Al-Bustani stressed that “the generator file is one of the most sensitive files, considering that the continued need for generators does not justify the continuation of violations or the absence of regulation, but rather requires tightening control and implementing laws in a way that preserves the rights of citizens.”

He pointed out that the Ministry of Economy carried out about 11,000 field inspections, including 2,000 inspections of generators, which resulted in the issuance of 195 seizure reports, in addition to the arrest of a number of generator owners in implementation of judicial rulings as a result of repeated violations.

The committee concluded that it would follow up on the file through two parallel paths: the first was technical to ensure compliance with environmental standards, and the second was judicial to prosecute violators and tighten penalties against them. It also called on the Ministry of Energy to announce clear schedules for electrical supply hours, and stressed the removal of violating generators from residential neighborhoods, strengthening oversight, and accelerating the adoption of the consumer protection law. At the conclusion of the session, the committee confirmed that it would continue to follow up on this file with the concerned authorities, and take the necessary measures to ensure the implementation of laws and the protection of citizens.