The Issam Fares Foundation honors Municipalities
Attieh: A Council of Ministers’ session in Akkar to see to the Region’s Needs

Annahar- July 6, 2010 

The Office of Former Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Issam Fares and the Union of Jouma Municipalities honored yesterday the newly elected presidents of Akkar municipalities.

To this effect, a meeting was organized in Nabeh El Fouar Restaurant in Rahbeh, during which were distributed shields of honor to the former presidents of municipalities. The meeting was attended by Mr. Sajih Attieh, Mr. Issam Fares Business Manager in Lebanon and President of the Union of Jouma Municipalities, by security officers and by the Presidents of Municipalities Unions and Councils in the region.

After standing a minute of silence in the memory of the spirit of both the army and the press martyrs in South Lebanon, Mr. Attieh saluted the determination of the army in South Lebanon. He then reminded that the meeting “falls within the framework of the launching of municipal work since it is an environmental work and, since most of the presidents and members of municipal councils are undertaking voluntary work in the region, knowing that municipalities are the institutions that have contributed the most to the development of Akkar.”

Mr. Attieh stated that “Akkar is practically neglected by the Government. We are hence achieving development in Akkar so it would become one of the most important regions”. He also stressed the importance of Unions that “ensure communication and cooperation and receive substantial financial benefits from the Government, pointing out that the people of Akkar are worthier of these benefits”.

After recalling the urgent needs of Akkar, Mr. Attieh tackled the issue of construction, noting that the “biggest part of Akkar’s lands is not surveyed. Issues at this level have always been solved between municipalities and the Internal Security Forces (ISF), with the consent of the Minister of Interior. It is therefore necessary to follow-up this issue with the Minister of Interior and the Commander of the ISF”. He also called for the establishment of a follow-up committee that would be composed of presidents of municipalities and unions to this effect. 

Attieh explained that “Akkar constitutes 10% of the total area of Lebanon and should be provided with power alike all other regions”. He requested the concerned authorities to provide Akkar with power, “as the Holy Month of Ramadan is approaching”.

He criticized the distribution of the Independent Municipal Fund’s resources, considering that the “process is subject to the political atmosphere and to personal relationships”, and calling the Minister of Interior to find a clear mechanism that preserves the rights of everyone.”

Attieh stated that “a percentage of 60% is deducted from the cost of waste in the different regions, except for Akkar which pays the full cost. Hence, the presidents of Unions in Akkar should submit a letter in this regard to the Minister of Interior.” He also requested the Minister of Works, Mr. Ghazi Al-Aridi, to build wide roads and the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister to hold a Council of Ministers’ session in Akkar to inquire about the problems facing the region.

Afterwards, Attieh offered shields of honor to the former presidents of municipalities, in the name of the Union of Jouma Municipalities and Mr. Khaled Al Bahri. Two speeches were delivered by the President of the Union of Jurd Al Kaytah Municipalities, Abdallah Zakaria and the President of the Municipality of Wadi El Jamous, Khoder Akkari, in which they stressed on the necessity of following-up the power issue and of establishing a committee to this effect.