Ministers address questions of People’s Assembly Members on services issues

Damascus, SANA – During a People’s Assembly session on Monday chaired by Speaker Mohammad al-Lahham, the Ministers of Electricity, Petroleum, Water Resources, Internal Trade and Consumer Protection, and Health addressed members’ questions regarding a number of services issues.

The Assembly members’ questions touched on issues including the water situation in Aleppo, managing funds allocated to Aleppo province, electric power, providing support to Daraa province, combating corruption, and monitoring markets, among other issues.

Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Sleiman al-Abbas said terrorist attacks on petroleum sector infrastructure caused difficulties in delivering fuel to electric power stations, and that the production of petroleum products in general has decreased significantly due to terrorist attacks.

In turn, Electricity Minister Imad Khamis said that the Ministry is working hard to provide power to all areas despite repeated terrorist attacks on fuel pipelines, power lines, and power stations, taking extraordinary steps to deal with challenges facing the power sector and malfunctions.

He noted that damage caused by the terrorist attack on Mhardeh power station is estimated at SYP 1 billion, while the cost of fuel wasted in the attack is estimated at SYP 1.5 billion, asserting that the government has no intention to privatize the power sector.

For his part, Health Minister Saad al-Nayef said that there are plans to open kidney transplant departments in every possible area, and that all types of special medicine is readily available except some for cancer treatment and supplements.

Water Resources Minister Bassam Hanna said the current season is considered a dry season which saw very little rain, which affected water reserves, adding that the Ministry took several urgent steps to address the shortage of drinking water in Aleppo.

In turn, Internal Trade and Consumer Protection Minister Samir Izzat Qadi Amin said the Ministry is ready to open retail outlets to sell rationed materials in all areas, as these materials are readily available in good quantities.

He also underlined the Ministry’s efforts to curb those who exploit the crisis and to monitor prices and the availability of goods in local markets, adding that tons of expired goods have been confiscated.

H. Sabbagh