A project to build a new terminal at Beirut airport has raised an outcry in the country, as Lebanon is going through an unprecedented economic and financial crisis. Local and European NGOs, as well as Lebanese MPs, denounced on Wednesday March 29 the lack of transparency in the allocation of this $122 million project.
With our correspondent in Beirut,Paul Khalifeh
The announcement of the extension of Beirut airport when the State does not have the means to pay its civil servants or to feed its army, and that more than 80% of the population has fallen into povertycaused a great stir in Lebanon.
This terminal should come into operation in 2027 and would allow the airport to accommodate 3.5 million passengers per year. The project would promote the creation of almost 2 500 jobs “, according to the Minister of Public Works and Transport Ali Hamiyé.
These arguments did not convince the Lebanese of the usefulness of this project. Ten NGOs and several MPs expressed their concern on Wednesday March 29 about what they call ” abuses that open the door to corruption and nepotism and allow the illegal use of public funds “.
The project was awarded by mutual agreement to an Irish company and a Lebanese company. But the European Integrity Observatory in Lebanon has sent a letter to Ireland’s financial crime bureau urging it to investigate the memorandum of understanding.
Wanting to be reassuring, the Minister of Public Works affirmed that the Lebanese Public Treasury will not bear any cost. Despite these assurances, the controversy continues to swell in Lebanon.