Back in August 2024, Judge Samernda Nassar, who was assigned to the Mseilha Dam case, visited the site and found it abandoned, with only a janitor and his chicken farm occupying the area. As a result, she ordered the dam to be sealed off pending further investigation due to suspected misappropriation of public funds.

The Energy Ministry had been making excuses for the non-completion of the project since 2019, claiming that the companies in charge were still conducting tests to ensure there were no leaks and that everything was fully functional. However, the real issue was that the dam was built on an unsuitable foundation for collecting water, causing it to leak into the sea as soon as the winter season ended. In addition to that, it has been revealed that those responsible for the project did not conduct an archaeological study before starting the project, despite its proximity to the Mseilha castle.

Who’s responsible?

Responsibility begins with the concerned ministry and ministers overseeing the project, passing through the tender committee, the hired consultants, and, of course, the companies that implemented the Mseilha Dam. Former Energy Minister Walid Fayyad was questioned by Judge Nassar yesterday and may be summoned again if needed.

The total cost of this failed project reached $65 million, of which $44 million has already been paid for a dam that was never completed. Let’s hope Judge Nassar holds those responsible accountable and that this marks the first of many investigations into misappropriation of public funds and corruption.