A Regie delegation, that included Leaf Tobacco Manager Abdel Mawla Al-Mawla and the Head of Agriculture Department in Bekaa Hassan Hamadeh, controlled damages to tobacco fields due to rains and floods in Baalbek. For this purpose, the delegation has met in Taraya with tobacco farmers from the villages of western Baalbek, in the presence of the municipal chief Hamza Hamieh and a delegation of tobacco farmers syndicate.
Al-Mawla
Al-Mawla stressed: “our visit was recommended by the Minister Ali Hassan Khalil and the Regie’s General Director, Nassif Seklaoui, mainly to give an ear to farmers and figure in the damages following the flood that hit the region”.
“We reassure our commitment to stand by the farmers although the problems from which the Bekaa suffers. Tobacco plant unifies us and we will never fail it”, he added.
“We still do not know whether the High Relief Commission intents to indemnify farmers for damages, or not. We will wait the delivery date to evaluate the quality and the quantity of damages”.
Al-Mawla said: “our main project is development, hence we visited today I’aat, the village to whom we will offer a waste collection truck and a bobcat vehicle for the municipality. As well, the Regie will contribute to the pavement of an agricultural road in Doros”.
Hamadeh
In turn Hamadeh said: “The production of tobacco in Bekaa differs from one town to another, andp>
During the ceremony, it was mentioned that the Anti-Smuggling Body “conducted 87 raids since the beginning of the year”, where the fines imposed on the perpetrators exceeded 30 billion Lebanese pounds.
He also praised the unwavering dedication and determination exhibited by the leadership and members of the Anti-Smuggling body, acknowledging “the inherent risks and challenges involved in their work”.
Seklaoui emphasized the “need to strengthen the body in light of the weekly fluctuations in the selling price of tobacco products, which would contribute to increased smuggling, noting that the body would face significant challenges and have multiple tasks at hand.”
Addressing “the campaign against the institution”, he questioned why departments and institutions that do not contribute profits to the State, but rather take from it, were not targeted, unlike the Regie, which contributed 93 million dollars in profits to the treasury”. He found it confusing that haters are targeting such a successful institution, failing to recognize its numerous accomplishments such as caring for its employees, transcending sectarian divides, and receiving awards for quality management.
He also highlighted the institution's role in supporting 25,000 farmers’ families and its ability to overcome difficulties through wise policies, which made it one of the primary sources of financial revenue for the State. He confidently challenged the haters, welcoming any financial or judicial auditing.
Concluding his remarks, he noted that “while some may be aware of drug trade activities, they fail to comprehend the principles of institutions and affiliation due to their limited understanding.”
Zaher
The head of the Anti-Smuggling Department, Eng. Muhammad Zaher, gave a technical presentation and highlighted, in his speech, that honouring the Anti-Smuggling Body is like paying tribute to the Regie as a whole. He asserted that, under Seklaoui’s leadership, the institution has become a “national symbol and a renewed pillar in the country, with accomplishments that cannot be undermined or denied.”
He reassured everyone of the Body’s “commitment to continue protecting the homeland without delay, fear, neglect, or complicity.”