[Israel not to blame] PA PM Hamdallah to Hamas: Hand over power

PM Hamdallah to Hamas: Hand over power authority to solve energy crisis
By Malak Hasan
http://english.wafa.ps/page.aspx?id=tvCn6ka52115139021atvCn6k

RAMALLAH, January 16, 2017 (WAFA – PLO news agency) – Prime Minister Rami
Hamdallah Monday demanded Hamas to hand over the energy authority it
currently runs in the Gaza Strip to the national unity government in order
to solve the ongoing power crisis.

He said in a press conference held at the Energy and Natural Resources
Authority in Ramallah that for the Palestinian Authority (PA) to solve the
power crisis, Hamas must hold itself responsible and allow the unity
government to be in charge of all sectors in Gaza.

“We are ready to fully run all sectors in the Gaza Strip,” he told local and
international press.

The demand came after a severe electricity crisis that sparked protests and
unrest in the Gaza Strip after announcing that the electricity cycle will be
cut back to three hours per day; five hours short of the regular eight-hour
cycle.

Hamdallah said the PA has always assumed responsibility for Gaza’s needs
despite Hamas’ refusal to allow it to be fully in charge of the work of
ministries and facilities.

He said the Palestinian leadership is facing a defamation campaign by Hamas
concerning the power crisis to which he responded that the PA spent $250
million money per year on importing, producing and developing electricity
sources in the Gaza Strip.

He said while the West Bank only receives between 4% – 6% in fuel support,
the Gaza power plant receives 60% to 80% in fuel support.

“Every month, Israel automatically deducts $10 million to $13 million from
the Palestinian Authority’s tax revenues to pay for the power feed provided
by the Israeli power company,” he said.

He added that the Gaza power plant’s operation and production costs amount
to $2 million every month.

“The electricity provided by Egypt to the Gaza Strip costs the PA around
$1.8 million every month.”

Hamdallah explained that the money is automatically deducted from the
Palestinian Authority’s funds donated by Arab states through the League of
Arab States.

Following protests, Qatar pledged to donate $12 million to buy fuel for the
Gaza power plant.

The funds would cover the costs of fuel needed to operate the Gaza Strip’s
only power plant for more than eight hours a day.

Hamdallah thanked Qatar and confirmed that an agreement with Turkey is
currently being drafted.

“Turkey confirmed it would provide 15 tons of fuel to the Gaza Strip,” he
explained.

Hamdallah said that the cabinet and leadership are keen to meet the needs of
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and welcomed the factions’ initiative to form
a new board for the energy authority in Gaza in order to solve the crisis.

He expressed worry that should Hamas continue to be in charge of the energy
authority, the unity government will not be able to solve the crisis and the
initiative to form a new board will fail.

Hamdallah then questioned Hamas for failing to reveal where the money it
collects in exchange of electricity to Gaza goes.

The Hamas-run energy authority collects around $6 million for electricity
while it should be collecting a total of $19 million. “I am not sure where
the $13 million left go?”

He said the authority that collects money for electricity provided should be
capable to perform the task and offer guarantees and Hamas should be capable
to force organizations and institutions to pay for the services provided.

The PA’s main issue with providing more electricity supplies from Israel is
the need to provide Israel with bank guarantees and to be totally in charge
of the energy authority. “Without both, our efforts will fail.”

“Gaza receives 200 Megawatts of electricity and according to technicians;
this should provide 12 hours of electricity. We need answers,” he said in
reference to the announcement that the electricity cycle will be decreased
to three hours.

The prime minister addressed people of Gaza saying that the PA will do
everything possible to solve the crisis and meet their basic needs.

“It is impossible for the unity government to keep exerting efforts to meet
the needs of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and pay for the operational
expenses for hospitals, schools and so on and the reconstruction while Hamas
is running the Strip,” he said.

The government launched a campaign under the title “We need electricity for
Gaza” in an attempt to turn efforts into a reality and end years of
electricity crisis in the Gaza Strip.

The Gaza power plant has not run at full capacity in years now due to
Israel’s ongoing measures which aim to fuel imports into the coastal
enclave.

Along with war, the power shortage has driven people to the streets to
demand a decent power supply and an end to daily blackouts.

M.H./M.K.