Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Damascus, SANA- Dr. Issam al-Khalif, Deputy Chairman of the Central Authority for Oversight and Inspection, revealed a corruption case dating back to 2017, implicating the then-Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources for wasting 46 million cubic meters of gas, worth $4.6 million.
Dr. al-Khalif told SANA that the case began in early 2017, when the battles between ISIS and the forces of the former regime in the eastern Homs desert ended, and the regime took control of the area, which housed a plant and a gas field.
“A large gas leak occurred, and the amount wasted daily was estimated at approximately 150,000 cubic meters, equivalent to 10,500 gas cylinders per day” he added.
He explained that the gas company contracted with a specialized company to stop the leak and waste occurring in March 2018, with the work scheduled to be completed in September of the same year. However, two months after work began, a dispute arose between Oil Minister and the official in charge of the work, and the minister halted the company’s maintenance work.
Al-Khalif indicated that the disputes “caused the leak to continue for a year and a half, from July 24, 2018, to February 10, 2020. During this period, the leaking gas was disposed of by igniting it to prevent air pollution.”
Dr. Al-Khalif noted that the Central Authority for Oversight and Inspection at the time formed an inspection mission on August 3, 2020. The Authority’s report, which was completed on September 11, 2023, was not approved and remained locked in drawers until June 19, 2025.
“After the liberation, we reopened the pending cases within the Authority, including this one”.
The Deputy Chairman of the Central Authority for Control and Inspection confirmed that the former minister had been referred to the competent judiciary, in accordance with Economic Penalties Law No. 3 of 2013, for crimes of failure to fulfill economic obligations. His assets, as well as those of his wife, were subject to a precautionary seizure until he repays the damage he caused to public funds.
Noura/Abdul
