Abdo Saade is one of the most powerful men in Lebanon. He owns 4,000 electricity generators across Lebanon, which keep the lights on in the absence of a reliable power supply. He turned Lebanon's tattered electricity grid and inept state utility into a lucrative business, nicknamed 'Generator Mafia'. Millions of Lebanese pay enormous sums from their meagre salaries each month on two separate bills: one to the state electricity company, the other to their local 'generator man'. Without Mr Saade’s syndicate the country's economy would grind to a halt. A fuel shortage has further disrupted daily life, and two main power plants closed for 24 hours on 9 October. This week businesses have shut, hospitals anticipate mass deaths from power cuts to ventilators, water supplies to four million are threatened, and there have been fistfights and shootings at petrol stations.
Lebanon: ‘Mafia' keep the lights on for a price
Written by David Fletcher 15 Oct 2021Additional Info
- Pray: for Lebanon’s leaders to provide the finance to successfully explore and establish new grid installations and modern maintenance to the generators. (Psalm 106:3)
- More: www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-13/lebanons-generator-mafia-keep-the-lights-on/100495178
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