Scam Behind Import By Sonelgaz of Electrical Components From Israel

Energy Minister Mustapha Guitouni said on Thursday that in the case of ”made in Israel” components meant for the construction of a power plant in Boutelis (Oran), SONELGAZ has lodged a complaint against the consortium- French-American manufacturer Cegelec / General Electric responsible for importing this equipment.

During a session at the National People’s Assembly (NPA) devoted to oral questions, the energy minister said that the components in question had been imported “not by the national company but by Cegelec / General Electric” whereas these components had to be brought from the Spain and not from Israel. 

“A complaint has been filed in Court by Sonelgaz. At the same time, the Cegelec / General Electric consortium was summoned to give the necessary explanations. The latter has officially acknowledged its responsibility for the inadvertent introduction of this material in Algeria. The case is between the hands of justice, so we must leave it do its work in serenity, “he added.

The energy minister recalled the firm commitment of Algeria, which remains among the few countries in the world that have not established relations with Israel. At the request of an MP proposing the setting up of a special parliamentary commission of inquiry into this case, the president of the NPA, Mr. Said Bouhadja, recalled that as long as the case is in the hands of justice, “such a  procedure is not possible”.

In addition, regarding the issue of the connection of the communes of Mila to the network of natural gas supply, the minister recalled that this province has already achieved a remarkable progress in this field. 

He indicated that 64% of the population were connected at the end of 2017 while the rate was only 33% in 1999.

 For the energy Minister there are still 6 communes out of 32 left out. He reassured that firm guidance was given to local authorities to advance projects. 

With the same dynamic being also recorded regarding electricity supply, the Minister said that 99% of homes in the four corners of the country benefited from this energy in 2017 against 40% in 1999.