Moawad: The lack of development is caused by the inefficient centralized system in the country. The only solution to fix this problem is to adopt a decentralized system.
RMF’s Executive Director Michel Moawad pointed out that “taxes and fees paid by the citizens in all the countries of the world are allocated to provide services, to implement development projects in the regions, and to offer services and comforts for the citizens. This is happening in all the countries, except in Lebanon.”
Moawad emphasized that the reason behind the lack of development is our failed centralized system. He stated that there will be no real change in this and no real development happening without adopting a decentralized system, which would give the local authorities in the regions wider powers to plan for and implement the development projects needed in their areas; the municipalities and local authorities being the most qualified to understand the needs of their regions.
Moawad’s statements came at the inauguration of the “Establishing a sewage network ” project in Mejdlaya which was organized by the Mejdlaya Municipality and the Rene Moawad Foundation within the framework of the “Bringing adequate sanitation infrastructure in Zgharta and Mejdlaya” program, funded by the UN’s Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs – Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (OCHA LHF).
The ceremony took place in the new hall of the Our Lady church in Mejdlaya, and was attended by: The Minister of Energy and Water Cesar Abi Khalil represented by Mr. Tony Marouni; the director of the OCHA LHF fund Ms. Rawad Al Zeer; Mr. Tony Suleiman Frangiyeh represented by Mr. Shadi Dahdah; the Caemmakam of Zgharta Ms. Iman Rifai; the President of the Union of Municipalities of Zgharta Mr Zeenni Kheir; the president of the ‘Ajyal’ foundation Ms. Marianne Sarkis; the mayor of Mejdlaya Ms. Joumana Beani along with members of the municipal council; a number of moukhtars; representatives of institutions and of religious, social, educational and cultural associations; in addition of a crowd of local people.
Details of the project
The “Establishing a sewage network in Mejdlaya” project falls within the scope of the broader “Bringing adequate sanitation infrastructure in Zgharta and Mejdlaya ” program that aims to limit the situations of conflict between the Syrian refugees and the local communities hosting them, in matters related to sanitation and infrastructure, and to improve the capacities of the hosting municipalities through the funding of development projects that target infrastructure, sanitation, waste water and rain water.
The project came after a preliminary evaluation conducted by the RMF team, with the cooperation and in coordination with the Municipality of Mejdlaya. The study encompassed the various sectors in the town, and determined the priority needs. It revealed the urgent need to remove the damages and harm caused by the sewage water running down the streets and roads that connect Mejdlaya to Al Fawwar. The absence of a sewage network in the area (The Carmeliyya-Fawwar road) was the reason behind this, and the problem had worsened due to the influx of Syrian refugees.
The main activities of the project to be executed by RMF are:
– Setting up a 1260 meters long line of sewage.
– Linking the sewage network of part of the Al Fawwar town to the new line of sewage.
– Building sewage connections to the houses along the Carmeliyya-Al Fawwar road, which will benefit 2,800 Lebanese and 640 displaced Syrians. And by this, remove the harm that resulted from the emission of bad smells and environmental pollution, in an area with a high population density and which includes a private hospital and a care home for the elderly.
– The project will also include awareness sessions and the distribution of manuals on water, sanitation, hygiene and the resolution of conflicts, in addition to the distribution of hygiene kits to1,000 students in 9 targeted schools in Mejdlaya and Zgharta.
