UTILITIES AND PUBLIC SERVICES

Our failing public services limit our economic productivity, harming in turn our environment and our health. We must commit to long term plans that provide us with 24/7 electricity, fast internet, and sustainable waste management. Start by appointing the electricity regulation authority to begin building power plants and increase generation capacity. We already have a plan from 2010 that calls for a capacity increase, a reform of the electrical grid, and an emphasis on renewable energy. Let’s continue implementing this plan. We need to further broadband internet penetration in order to drive growth and remain economically competitive. Activate Lebanon’s already installed fiber optic backbone, bridge connections from the backbone to homes and businesses, license more capacity to our internet service providers, and lower the costs of subscription. Abdul Monheim Yousef must be removed from at least one of his positions – such a blatant conflict of interest must end. We must also implement sustainable solutions to treat our solid waste. Invest in waste management capabilities nationwide to sort, landfill, incinerate or compost our trash. We must also teach ourselves to reduce our waste at the household level, recycle more and stop littering. Electricity: crumbling behind the country (#147) / Renewable energy (#194) / Light a fire (#190) / Flipping the switch (#189) / Master muddler (#189) / Waste: Tsu–Naameh (#187) / Knee deep in trash, political and literal (#193) / Criminal negligence (#194)

INFRASTRUCTURE