SYRIANNEWS — broadcast
20260920 193000 UTC
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[00:00:00] is very important in this upcoming stage,
[00:00:03] and other and also allowing businessmen,
[00:00:05] matters related to whether
[00:00:07] Many those who remained abroad as part of business councils
[00:00:09] or those who are present on Syrian territories, to express
[00:00:13] their presence and have proper representation in
[00:00:16] chambers of commerce and industry, and also their presence in
[00:00:19] legal development or the development of the legal and legislative environment expected
[00:00:23] currently with the return of the People's Assembly and other
[00:00:26] responsibilities that fall under the government's responsibility. The government
[00:00:30] should not only outline the broad lines but
[00:00:34] also contribute to strengthening
[00:00:36] local initiatives,
[00:00:39] initiatives based on the capabilities of Aleppo's residents, and this, by the way,
[00:00:43] applies not only to the city of Aleppo but to all Syrian cities,
[00:00:47] including Damascus, the capital,
[00:00:50] of course. Yes, thank you very much, Dr. Abdel Moneim
[00:00:54] Al-Halabi, academic and economic expert. You were with us from Gaziantep.
[00:00:58] Our thanks also go to Dr. Abdul Rahman Dadm, head of the Aleppo branch of the Syrian
[00:01:02] Economists Syndicate. You were also our guest from
[00:01:05] Aleppo. Thank you very much to both of you.
[00:01:10] and this is an encroachment incident or event. In
[00:01:15] But if we go back to the core of
[00:01:22] a question about agriculture in The Minister of Energy, Muhammad Al-Bashir, revealed during his presentation to the People's
[00:01:25] Some colleagues intervened in this Assembly figures related to the reality of the oil
[00:01:29] and gas sector, and the plan to rehabilitate fields and develop
[00:01:32] infrastructure, indicating that the ministry has started working on regaining
[00:01:36] oil fields and rehabilitating them after
[00:01:39] receiving them in stages. The Minister of Energy, Muhammad
[00:01:42] Al-Bashir, explained that the cost of one liter of diesel is about
[00:01:46] to no technical loss, no 206 Syrian good thing that contributes to pounds, pointing out that the ministry,
[00:01:49] after adjusting the prices of petroleum derivatives, bears
[00:01:53] a loss of about
[00:01:56] readiness, and reliability in 31 Syrian pounds for every liter of diesel.
[00:02:01] Today, a liter of diesel at international prices is $1570.
[00:02:05] 40% of the questions The last deal we bought, a liter of diesel cost us 26
[00:02:08] Syrian pounds. A liter
[00:02:10] I want to mention something very important in this of diesel costs were changed to suit the ministry 206,
[00:02:13] this type of and the company sells it for
[00:02:16] of institutions. I mean, 175, as we determined. So, the loss is 31 Syrian pounds per
[00:02:21] are in direct contact with namely the necessity of governing liter after the increase. This 31 Syrian pounds is for diesel. After raising
[00:02:24] prices, its cost is 206 Syrian
[00:02:26] pounds at the latest prices.
[00:02:30] The market after adjusting these
[00:02:32] Almost 70% of prices without profit. There is no
[00:02:33] solution that perhaps does not such thing here. This is a tough one. He says it costs us hours with His Excellency the Minister. There 260. Gas
[00:02:35] align with the approach of production was about 6 million cubic
[00:02:39] meters of gas. Of course, Syria's need for gas is 24 million cubic
[00:02:42] meters to
[00:02:45] changed 30% of operate all our ready-made stations.
[00:02:47] the questions to align with Today we are producing 6 million, meaning a quarter, I mean, we used to
[00:02:50] in which he answers produce 6, we raised it to 8.1 after we entered
[00:02:52] part of the Conoco plant. Of course, yesterday it was 8.4
[00:02:56] the day we prepared the presentation, the day we started it, from Wednesday,
[00:03:03] controlling them from it reached 9 million, according to the same oil story. Closing
[00:03:06] wells and bringing new wells into service. Reactivating
[00:03:09] drilling
[00:03:12] oversight tools from operations. We drilled about 4840
[00:03:14] meters and brought two drilling rigs into service after they were idle and stopped.
[00:03:17] 21 wells were repaired, 152 wells were operated,
[00:03:21] the loss, at least, 10 new wells were brought into production, drilled and brought into
[00:03:24] production. This is the balance
[00:03:27] of need, and this is a very important point.
[00:03:30] The balance of need for Syria. We need
[00:03:33] about 300,000 barrels of crude oil daily.
[00:03:37] Our needs have grown and increased significantly for several reasons.
[00:03:41] we import, why the contradiction in First, these areas entered
[00:03:44] our areas, so they started taking petroleum derivatives through the ministry,
[00:03:47] Al-Hasakah, Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, and others. Second, stopping
[00:03:50] the burners that were producing from
[00:03:53] the oil that was coming to us from the Euphrates East region, which was
[00:03:56] supplying the market, even if it was a percentage of 5 to 10% depending
[00:04:00] on winter and summer, etc. The third thing is the growth in demand.
[00:04:04] Today, the industrial city in Aleppo started with
[00:04:06] in the governorate
[00:04:06] of the Syrian pound in this 900 factories and reached 1500. These need energy, they need
[00:04:10] diesel and fuel for operation. The number of cars that were in
[00:04:14] Syria in 2005
[00:04:17] was 2.5 million cars. Today, the number of cars is
[00:04:20] legislation by the constitutional declaration, I can 3.6 million cars. Here, I also want to explain a very
[00:04:24] important issue. Syria's
[00:04:26] violations. There are many encroachments on 13 oil refineries in production capacity, the refining capacity of stations
[00:04:28] or refineries in Syria. How many refineries?
[00:04:32] and Adhra tanks, Baniyas refinery before the shutdown for comprehensive maintenance was about
[00:04:36] number of volunteers from 9,000 to 10,000 region. First, this would eliminate
[00:04:36] we requested information on this barrels daily, and Homs refinery was about 40 to 50,000 barrels daily. This means
[00:04:40] we used to produce an average of 150,000 barrels daily.
[00:04:45] and the other eye on the people, on We bring 150,000 barrels, 30,000 barrels is our need. Part of it is local
[00:04:48] production, and part of it is imports. It is
[00:04:52] imports. So we take it to the refineries. These refineries refine
[00:04:55] 150,000 barrels. The remaining shortage is 150,000 barrels. What do I
[00:04:59] do? We buy petroleum derivatives. We buy diesel and gasoline
[00:05:03] equivalent to 150,000 barrels.
[00:05:06] This means if I had a refining capacity of
[00:05:09] 300,000 barrels, I wouldn't need to buy derivatives. I would buy 10,000 barrels or
[00:05:13] local production of 10,000, and I would buy 20,000 and refine
[00:05:16] them here, and it would cover the market. I wouldn't need to buy derivatives. However,
[00:05:20] our refining capacity is 150,000 barrels. Therefore, we
[00:05:23] cannot cover the market's need for petroleum derivatives without importing
[00:05:27] diesel and gasoline.
[00:05:30] Regarding this topic, we are pleased to host here in the studio member of the People's Assembly
[00:05:34] and head of the Energy Committee in the Assembly, Engineer Iqbal Mohammed Mansour. Hello,
[00:05:38] Professor Iqbal, and thank you for being with us on Syria
[00:05:41] Tonight. A long session continued with His
[00:05:45] Excellency the Minister of Energy Muhammad Al-Bashir. You heard all
[00:05:48] that he said. Yes, first, did he remove all the question marks that
[00:05:52] you, as members of the People's Assembly, had for him? In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
[00:05:56] Praise be to God, and prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of God. In the beginning,
[00:05:59] I want to mention something to ground the topic. Today, hearing
[00:06:02] sessions are a supervisory tool carried out by one of
[00:06:06] the People's Assembly committees or a group of members. The goal
[00:06:10] is to request clarifications and inquiries from the competent
[00:06:12] minister or the head of the body with financial and administrative independence
[00:06:15] to explain the causes, results,
[00:06:19] and effects in a particular
[00:06:22] fact, after the decision to increase the prices of petroleum derivatives,
[00:06:26] and within the powers granted to me by
[00:06:30] the internal regulations, I, in consultation with the members of
[00:06:33] the Energy Committee, requested a hearing for the Minister
[00:06:36] of Energy. In our parliamentary custom,
[00:06:40] there is a general hearing session and a special
[00:06:42] hearing session. After consulting with the Speaker of the People's Assembly, Dr. Abdul Hamid
[00:06:46] Al-Awaq, we decided that it would be a general hearing session, benefiting from
[00:06:49] the minister's presence with us. However, the backbone and main
[00:06:53] focus would be on the prices of petroleum derivatives, and
[00:06:57] then we would discuss the topic of dams,
[00:07:00] water, electricity, and so on. After
[00:07:03] that, my colleagues and I in the Energy Committee formed a workshop.
[00:07:07] Each of us took his specialty
[00:07:10] and returned to his popular bases to be fully
[00:07:13] aware of all axes and questions. We communicated with all members of parliament
[00:07:17] about the necessity of explaining and informing us about
[00:07:20] the matter in terms of the questions related to this topic. Regarding who prepared
[00:07:24] the questions, the Energy Committee, in addition to
[00:07:27] the MPs, we coordinated these
[00:07:30] questions, filtered them,
[00:07:33] and organized them. We set a specific
[00:07:36] policy so that the Energy Committee asked 40 strategic
[00:07:40] questions spanning the entire Syrian geography.
[00:07:44] the questions focused on petroleum derivatives, oil, and gas in general,
[00:07:47] 20% on electricity, and 10% on
[00:07:51] water resources.
[00:07:53] After determining the questions,
[00:07:56] the Minister delivers
[00:07:59] a presentation
[00:08:02] the inquiries, and then the
[00:08:06] members of parliament ask questions that
[00:08:08] were not asked during
[00:08:12] the previous session. So we divided the hearing session into a previous
[00:08:15] session and a subsequent session. The first
[00:08:18] one was for the committee members and included
[00:08:21] important strategic questions. Then the rest of the
[00:08:24] members of parliament intervened on other matters. In fact,
[00:08:27] we started with the important and hot
[00:08:30] topic, which is the justifications and circumstances
[00:08:33] for the increase in prices of petroleum derivatives
[00:08:37] and fuels. This was the hot topic, and
[00:08:40] then we requested some clarification
[00:08:43] on the reasons, on the quantities
[00:08:46] available, how much Syria produces of oil
[00:08:49] and gas, how much it consumes, how much
[00:08:53] the statements that led to suspicion
[00:08:57] from some people and observers.
[00:09:01] Then we moved on and asked about the pricing equation,
[00:09:04] how petroleum derivatives are priced. We asked about
[00:09:08] the committee that determines the prices of petroleum derivatives.
[00:09:11] Who is it composed of? How is the decision
[00:09:14] made? Does the pricing mechanism include the exchange rate
[00:09:19] matter? We moved to the second part, which is that we know
[00:09:22] that the maintenance and overhaul of Baniyas refinery was one of the reasons for
[00:09:26] the increase in petroleum derivatives prices. Of course, there is a global increase,
[00:09:30] exacerbated by the Russian-Ukrainian war,
[00:09:33] the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, and the targeting of more than
[00:09:38] the Gulf. All these factors affected
[00:09:42] the prices of petroleum derivatives. However, the reason for the delay
[00:09:46] in the overhaul of Baniyas refinery,
[00:09:48] matter.
[00:09:51] Most of the questions were about these
[00:09:53] matters. Mr. Muhammad
[00:09:56] Al-Bashir answered these
[00:10:00] questions and inquiries
[00:10:03] in general, and then we moved to the strategic situation
[00:10:06] to some extent. For example, benefiting from Iraqi oil,
[00:10:10] the Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline.
[00:10:12] The pipeline connecting, for example, Armilan and Homs refinery, when will it be rehabilitated?
[00:10:16] We asked about the mechanism of oil contracts,
[00:10:20] how oil is purchased. We asked about the mechanism of
[00:10:24] contracts between petroleum service companies and the Ministry
[00:10:27] of Energy. We asked about the SPC, about the Syrian Petroleum Company.
[00:10:32] questions, to be honest, there was no limit
[00:10:35] at all. There was a very high ceiling for freedoms. There was no
[00:10:39] veto, no censorship on any question. All
[00:10:42] questions were open for discussion and allowed, and
[00:10:46] they were answered with full transparency and logic. Today,
[00:10:49] more than 130 questions were asked, and the hearing
[00:10:52] lasted for almost five and a half hours.
[00:10:56] So these matters are sufficient for the hearing sessions to, God willing,
[00:10:59] fulfill their purpose. In fact,
[00:11:03] I found the hearing session for the Minister of Energy better than the hearing session
[00:11:07] for the Minister of Education. I believe that the hearing sessions, God willing,
[00:11:11] are on an upward trend, both quantitatively and qualitatively.
[00:11:13] We learn from experience, we learn how
[00:11:16] to exercise our oversight, representative,
[00:11:19] and legislative roles in such sessions.
[00:11:23] When we return to this session, it was truly detailed and lasted
[00:11:26] about six hours, with only half an hour for a break, as you mentioned,
[00:11:30] Professor Iqbal. Therefore, many figures were presented
[00:11:33] and 130 questions were directed to the Minister, and he answered
[00:11:37] all of them as part of clarifying
[00:11:40] questions. He had already held a press conference with Mr.
[00:11:44] Al-Qablani a few days before this session. Therefore,
[00:11:48] when you heard the answers from
[00:11:51] His Excellency the Minister, did you have to amend
[00:11:55] or add questions, according to the answers you
[00:11:58] heard, or was it just that
[00:12:01] these questions were set and you wouldn't ask any others? By the way,
[00:12:05] the hearing session was on Thursday, so we corresponded
[00:12:07] with the Minister and then with the Speaker of the People's Assembly regarding the enormity
[00:12:11] of the files. As you know, the Ministry of Energy today includes the Ministry
[00:12:15] of Electricity, Water Resources, Oil, and Mineral Resources, three
[00:12:18] ministries that require preparation,
[00:12:21] the figures. This matter led, when
[00:12:25] Mr. Muhammad Al-Bashir held the press conference, approximately
[00:12:32] the new situation. By the way,
[00:12:35] matter. After the decision to inject three types of diesel
[00:12:39] or fuel oil into the Syrian markets, we emphasized
[00:12:42] several things to His Excellency the Minister,
[00:12:45] this matter, preventing corruption, preventing fraud, preventing manipulation,
[00:12:49] and ensuring it reaches those who deserve it. This is indeed a thorny
[00:12:52] issue, but we addressed it. Likewise,
[00:12:56] we touched upon the topic of electric refineries or
[00:12:59] electric burners to
[00:13:02] refining burners, to environmental impact, to
[00:13:05] quality assurance, and so on. So we almost
[00:13:12] the new situation that was
[00:13:15] presented. Well, Professor Iqbal, and we are talking
[00:13:18] about the hearing session and what His Excellency
[00:13:21] the Minister said. Was there
[00:13:26] a discussion by the members of the council perhaps
[00:13:29] to convey the Syrian public's point of
[00:13:33] view? And you, sir, witnessed the demonstrations that took place,
[00:13:36] the angry demonstrations that were condemning the increase in fuel
[00:13:39] prices. The Minister's words are realistic, but the families want
[00:13:42] perhaps a sharing of
[00:13:46] so that the citizen does not bear all
[00:13:49] the loss. Did you present any viewpoints to His
[00:13:52] Excellency the Minister? To be honest, there is a very important
[00:13:56] matter. Today, we are members of the People's Assembly and not executive.
[00:14:00] We have the functions of representation, oversight,
[00:14:02] and legislation. Representation: As soon as fuel prices
[00:14:06] increased, we requested a hearing for the Minister of Energy. So we represent
[00:14:09] the people. Excellent. The second issue is the questions that were raised, which had
[00:14:13] no ceiling and were strategic, and they expressed the pulse
[00:14:17] of the street. So we moved from the representative role to
[00:14:20] the legislative topic to come
[00:14:23] up with outcomes from this session. For example, we touched on the issue
[00:14:26] of why the private sector does not participate in oil
[00:14:29] import and distribution, similar to Satcop, for example.
[00:14:33] The answer was that currently the conditions are not favorable,
[00:14:37] and there is no legislative framework for this matter. So as
[00:14:40] a legislator, as granted the function of
[00:14:45] enter this field. The second issue we discussed was the necessity of curbing
[00:14:51] networks, oil pipeline networks, electricity, water.
[00:14:55] So there must be deterrent
[00:14:58] and effective legislation that can impose
[00:15:01] the harshest penalties. So this is a legislative role I carried
[00:15:04] out as a member of the People's Assembly.
[00:15:08] For example, regarding the sewage issue, the Minister said that most sewage water
[00:15:12] goes into rivers and seas
[00:15:15] and pollutes them. Today, there is a strategic plan for the state
[00:15:18] to establish water treatment plants. For example, every year we establish
[00:15:22] three or four governorates. So we requested the approval of
[00:15:25] the budget when it comes to us as the People's Assembly to approve
[00:15:29] the budget, that there should be support for this file. So this is
[00:15:32] one of the things we took into consideration as members of the People's Assembly
[00:15:36] regarding oversight. We talked about the topic
[00:15:40] of SPC and high salaries, and the Minister
[00:15:43] told us that the SPC is such and such, but the salaries are normal, and there are some
[00:15:47] privileges and bonuses for some experts,
[00:15:51] and you can review the salary file, exactly
[00:15:54] as he said. So this is an oversight role we played.
[00:15:58] Also, the figures we requested, knowing
[00:16:01] that the hearing session, when is its success measured? Its success is measured
[00:16:04] after the session, during the session, and after the session. Are these
[00:16:08] figures and these plans implemented on the ground? This
[00:16:11] is a measure of success. So here is an oversight role we play.
[00:16:15] We requested a circular, for example,
[00:16:18] from the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic to all
[00:16:21] ministries, to civil and military sectors,
[00:16:24] on the necessity of austerity. Administrative expenses in Syria are approximately 26%,
[00:16:27] which is a high percentage. The necessity of austerity, the necessity
[00:16:31] of rationalizing consumption. So this is an oversight role we played. So this
[00:16:35] matter should not confuse us. We are members of the People, we have legislative
[00:16:38] and oversight authority, and we do not interfere in purely
[00:16:42] executive matters. Well, based on these
[00:16:45] steps, you are actually working in more than one context,
[00:16:48] as you pointed out, Professor Iqbal.
[00:16:52] this issue and the increase in prices,
[00:16:55] during the conference and also during the session,
[00:16:59] Mr. Mohammed Al-Bashir said that indeed three
[00:17:02] types of petroleum derivatives were offered, especially diesel.
[00:17:05] Will these materials be offered,
[00:17:09] and is there a timeline for their offering according to what you heard, or has
[00:17:12] their offering already begun in the markets
[00:17:16] effectively since the first day of their announcement?
[00:17:18] And how will the beneficiary parties
[00:17:22] and beneficiary categories be identified for
[00:17:26] this? This question was directly asked to His Excellency
[00:17:29] the Minister, and he said
[00:17:31] that we have started immediate procedures for
[00:17:34] this matter, and within
[00:17:37] days, this material will start to be
[00:17:41] supplied, of course, I mean subsidized diesel
[00:17:44] at 115 Syrian pounds. Regarding the issue
[00:17:48] of delivering
[00:17:51] fuel to its beneficiaries,
[00:17:53] a meeting was held with the governors who
[00:17:58] citizens, with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, with regional
[00:18:01] directors, for example. So this issue requires concerted
[00:18:05] efforts. It is honestly an emergency
[00:18:07] solution. It is a
[00:18:13] transitioning from a socialist economy to a free market economy, but it
[00:18:16] is a necessary evil, and God willing, it will be a temporary
[00:18:19] measure. Honestly, this decision has
[00:18:23] its difficulties and challenges, but
[00:18:27] we understood from His Excellency the Minister that there will be digital control
[00:18:30] of quantities, preventing corruption, preventing
[00:18:33] manipulation. There will be governance of
[00:18:37] this matter, unifying figures,
[00:18:40] the central administration in Damascus and the rest of the stations, and
[00:18:44] there will be specific stations, and there will be strict
[00:18:49] the executive authorities, from
[00:18:51] the governors, from the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs in
[00:18:55] this regard as much as possible. Okay, honorable MP,
[00:18:59] the session lasted six hours, five
[00:19:02] and a half hours continuously. We are talking
[00:19:05] about many questions, dozens of questions.
[00:19:11] What was the most prominent position that
[00:19:14] was perhaps remarkable? Yes,
[00:19:18] what was the most prominent question or set of questions that were perhaps remarkable
[00:19:21] and were posed to His Excellency the Minister of Energy?
[00:19:25] To be honest, some members of parliament
[00:19:28] somewhat accused him,
[00:19:31] so to speak, regarding the increase in
[00:19:35] petroleum derivatives prices. It could have been avoided
[00:19:38] by delaying, for example, the Baniyas refinery overhaul,
[00:19:42] for example. This was one of the accusations. His Excellency the Minister
[00:19:45] clarified this matter. The second issue is why there
[00:19:49] was no strategic reserve when
[00:19:52] petroleum derivative prices were somewhat
[00:19:55] acceptable. Why was there none? His Excellency
[00:19:59] the Minister answered with several answers, including
[00:20:02] that most warehouses were dilapidated.
[00:20:05] Regarding the Homs
[00:20:10] at first, there was some tension. We represent
[00:20:14] the pulse of the street, and we talked about a very important matter. We,
[00:20:17] as members of the People's Assembly, have one eye on the state
[00:20:22] the state and not the authority. We do not favor
[00:20:26] anyone. We play our role, but today we cannot
[00:20:28] destroy the state, destroy the gains of the revolution,
[00:20:32] and we know that we are in a critical situation. On the other hand, there are tired,
[00:20:36] afflicted people who need someone to listen. So,
[00:20:40] honestly, at first, there was some tension,
[00:20:43] some accusations of negligence, but when
[00:20:46] His Excellency the Minister explained
[00:20:50] the objective circumstances for this matter, the situation
[00:20:53] and the language of numbers prevailed, and this cloud
[00:20:57] dispersed. However, today, the People's Assembly has different ideas
[00:21:00] and projects. Some members insisted that there was negligence. Some
[00:21:04] members talked about the protests and demonstrations that took place. How
[00:21:07] did the Minister respond? Yes, we came out with a specific
[00:21:10] proposal, which is that
[00:21:14] when oil is priced,
[00:21:16] petroleum derivative prices again, will these
[00:21:20] protests be taken into account and acted
[00:21:23] upon? It was
[00:21:26] a very good question: Why is this vulnerable
[00:21:30] segment not always supported in petroleum
[00:21:33] derivative prices? Today, especially diesel,
[00:21:37] affects transportation, agriculture,
[00:21:40] livelihood issues, heating, and living. So
[00:21:44] why isn't there a strategic policy, at least
[00:21:48] during this period, until the transition to a
[00:21:51] free economy? Why aren't these vulnerable
[00:21:54] segments supported? His Excellency the Minister answered: We are ready, but we work
[00:21:58] as an integrated system. There is the Ministry of Labor and Social
[00:22:01] Affairs, and we are ready, but we are an economic ministry
[00:22:05] that deals with numbers. So when there is, for example, a directive to support
[00:22:08] or something, there was even
[00:22:12] the eastern region.
[00:22:15] matter, so the Minister replied that
[00:22:19] today, regarding petroleum derivatives, I sell
[00:22:22] them at their price, even though there is a subsidy
[00:22:26] of 31 Syrian pounds, but today the Ministry of Agriculture
[00:22:29] should, like in Turkey for example, today in Turkey, for example,
[00:22:33] petroleum derivatives are sold to farmers at the prevailing price, like
[00:22:36] other segments of society. However, the Ministry
[00:22:39] of Agriculture provides support.
[00:22:42] So this is the issue of the electricity
[00:22:45] tariff. Every cycle there is a subsidy,
[00:22:48] of course, the Minister said. Today, the first 150 kilowatt-hours
[00:22:52] are $4.5, meaning approximately $6 or $7
[00:22:56] per month. So we discussed that 150 kilowatt-hours per month
[00:23:00] is not enough for the average family. It needs approximately 250 to
[00:23:03] 300, and the issue of electricity subsidy, honestly,
[00:23:06] resulted in practical
[00:23:09] outcomes in this regard. Two things: the first
[00:23:12] is that we wished that the tariff, we know the reality of electricity
[00:23:16] and the dilapidated infrastructure, and the state treasury, but
[00:23:20] the issue of the first tariff, one of the proposals
[00:23:24] or questions or wishes or whatever
[00:23:27] you call it, is that the first tariff for vulnerable
[00:23:31] and poor groups could have more support in kilowatt-hours or a reduction
[00:23:34] in price. The second issue is adopting a policy that takes into account
[00:23:38] these needy segments. Well,
[00:23:40] specifically on these points, because you know, and you are the head
[00:23:44] of the Energy Committee in the People's Assembly, Professor Iqbal, the Ministry
[00:23:47] of Energy is the result of merging the water
[00:23:50] and oil ministries previously,
[00:23:54] as well as electricity. We talked about the problem of derivatives
[00:23:57] and price increases, but what about dams?
[00:24:01] And you mentioned that you asked questions in this context. There was a problem with the rising water level
[00:24:05] of the Euphrates River. Yes, what were the questions you asked in this context, and the answers
[00:24:08] as well? And regarding electricity, will the prices of the fixed
[00:24:12] bills be reconsidered? And you also know
[00:24:16] that there were perhaps
[00:24:18] some public inquiries regarding these
[00:24:22] prices, which are considered high compared to the monthly
[00:24:26] income of Syrian citizens? Honestly, regarding the prices of subsidized
[00:24:29] electricity tariffs, the minister did not give a firm
[00:24:32] promise regarding this matter. Regarding dams, we
[00:24:36] honestly talked about the hot topic, which was petroleum derivatives.
[00:24:39] So the issue of water and dams was not strongly
[00:24:43] present, but we talked about the issue of dams and the necessity
[00:24:46] of creating new dams, especially since
[00:24:50] 90% of the Euphrates River water goes to
[00:24:53] waste. This is one of the problems, in addition
[00:24:56] to the necessity of irrigating many plains. For example,
[00:25:00] in Azaz, there are 90,000 hectares. If water is brought, for example,
[00:25:03] from the Euphrates River, there would be a valuable benefit.
[00:25:07] We talked about these strategic matters. Of course,
[00:25:10] I missed a point I want to mention regarding the Homs and Baniyas refineries.
[00:25:14] We talked about strategic matters and emphasized the necessity
[00:25:17] of establishing refineries, perhaps of medium or
[00:25:20] small size, 20-25 thousand barrels daily, to be, for example, in the eastern
[00:25:26] unemployment and employ the people of the region, and save today
[00:25:29] transportation costs. Today, crude oil, for example, comes from Deir ez-Zor, goes to
[00:25:33] Homs to be refined, then returns. So this matter
[00:25:36] is necessary. His Excellency the Minister mentioned that after a period, the Homs
[00:25:39] refinery will be moved to Furqlus, and there will hopefully be a refinery
[00:25:43] in the Aleppo countryside and a refinery in Deir
[00:25:45] ez-Zor. I want to mention this publicly because it
[00:25:49] was an important piece of news and a strategic thing for
[00:25:53] energy security in Syria. Okay,
[00:25:56] honorable member of parliament, and we are talking
[00:26:00] about something beyond the energy file, the issue
[00:26:03] of seawater desalination
[00:26:07] water. As you know, the water situation in Syria
[00:26:11] was quite good
[00:26:15] last year, but the years
[00:26:18] before it were bad. Today, what are
[00:26:21] the solutions from the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry
[00:26:25] of Water and other ministries concerned with water resources
[00:26:28] to improve the water situation in Syria?
[00:26:31] We mentioned that there is a plan to build
[00:26:35] and rehabilitate dams. We mentioned regarding the issue
[00:26:39] of water extraction. Honestly,
[00:26:42] the Minister spoke about an ambitious plan,
[00:26:45] which is to bring water from
[00:26:47] the coast to the southern region to
[00:26:51] supply Damascus, Quneitra, Sweida, and Daraa, but
[00:26:55] it is a project worth hundreds of millions of dollars. This is
[00:26:58] one of the reasons, because the water situation, especially in southern Syria,
[00:27:02] is bad. We talked about
[00:27:04] controlling unregistered wells that led
[00:27:08] to a decrease in the groundwater level,
[00:27:13] on water legislation. It must be It has strict laws
[00:27:16] in these matters, in addition to the issue of dams
[00:27:20] and their improper construction, for example, affects
[00:27:23] the course of the river. We talked about the issue of
[00:27:27] the Tigris River, the Tigris River, approximately 50 or 60 kilometers pass through Syrian territory.
[00:27:30] There is no Khabur River, it has
[00:27:34] dried up. Connecting these matters
[00:27:38] is important. We talked about the issue of smart water meters.
[00:27:42] This is a very
[00:27:45] rationalization and contributes
[00:27:48] waste. Smart
[00:27:51] electricity and water meters have now been implemented
[00:27:54] in some examples in the governorates of Damascus and Idlib as a first plan,
[00:27:58] and God willing, next year, it will be implemented in all
[00:28:02] Syrian governorates. One of the ways is to install
[00:28:04] meters and digital control, which we talked about,
[00:28:08] to control quantities and prevent corruption
[00:28:11] and encroachment. After this session, what do you say to the Syrians, Mr.
[00:28:14] MP? I say to the Syrians that we are in a state
[00:28:18] frankly, I want to speak directly. Today,
[00:28:22] opinions differ. Some people say that the People's Assembly
[00:28:25] is only for listening. We told them about this constitutional declaration that stipulated
[00:28:29] it. But today, a hearing session with 130 questions. Five
[00:28:34] is no veto. So, God willing, this will consolidate the state of institutions.
[00:28:37] We, as a legislative authority, integrate with
[00:28:41] the executive authority
[00:28:44] so that the wheel of the state turns smoothly. We appreciate
[00:28:47] the reality, but at the same time, we are committed to conveying
[00:28:51] the concerns of the people. We meet with the protesters, we try
[00:28:54] to explain the situation to them and reassure them.
[00:28:56] But in countries that have had revolutions and transitioned,
[00:29:00] for example, from the Bolshevik system,
[00:29:03] the socialist communist system, to, for example,
[00:29:06] the free system, they went through such as Estonia,
[00:29:09] Poland, the experience of Peru and others. They went
[00:29:13] through such circumstances, and we, too, God willing, after
[00:29:16] patience and accountability, God willing,
[00:29:20] things will move towards positivity, God willing.
[00:29:23] Thank you very much, Engineer Otman Muhammad Mansour, member of the People's Assembly
[00:29:27] and head of the Energy Committee in the People's Assembly. You were our
[00:29:30] dear guest here in the studio. Thank you very much. You are welcome.
[00:29:48] SAM's team launched the major "Bridges of Medical Recovery" campaign
[00:29:52] in Deir ez-Zor Governorate, with the participation of doctors and volunteers
[00:29:56] from several countries. The campaign aims to provide specialized
[00:29:59] medical services and support local cadres within
[00:30:03] a tour that includes a number of governorates. It is expected that more
[00:30:06] than 800 people
[00:30:09] will benefit from it.
[00:30:17] It needs Syria. We just received
[00:30:19] the campaign of the SAM's organization,
[00:30:22] "Bridges of Recovery," which is the 15th campaign to reach
[00:30:26] Syria. The campaign included a group of doctors
[00:30:29] from America and Australia, and there are also some nationalities
[00:30:33] from Switzerland and Italy, in addition to a large
[00:30:38] within the country.
[00:30:41] So this campaign is a campaign we called "Bridges of Recovery." We took the name from the Euphrates
[00:30:44] Bridge in Deir ez-Zor. We are very happy to officially launch
[00:30:48] the campaign from here in Deir ez-Zor, the city of glory, the city of dignity,
[00:30:51] the city, mashallah, full of blessings. So we are starting
[00:30:55] the campaign from here in several Syrian governorates. We, God willing, will have
[00:30:58] visits to six governorates.