In an unannounced tour on Friday morning, President Joseph Aoun visited the Vehicle Registration Authority (Nefaa) in Dekwaneh and the Port of Beirut, underscoring his administration’s commitment to fighting corruption and improving public service efficiency.
Speaking directly to citizens during his visit to Nefaa, Aoun declared, “Anyone who covers up corruption is complicit in it,” calling on the public to report any irregularities to him or to Minister of Interior Ahmad al-Hajjar who accompanied him in his tour.
The President’s stop at Nefaa was part of his ongoing oversight of public institutions, prompted by mounting citizen complaints. Aoun, who arrived early in the day, surprised applicants waiting in line and engaged with both the public and the staff to assess the facility’s performance.
In a meeting with interim Nefaa director Brigadier General Nazih Qobrosli, Aoun emphasized the need to streamline administrative procedures and eliminate inefficiencies. Addressing on-site officers, he reiterated that their role is to serve citizens fairly, prevent bribery and uphold transparency.
While touring the premises, Aoun inspected driving license exam areas and instructed strict adherence to traffic regulations to improve road safety.
Beirut Port
Later, the President headed to the Port of Beirut, where he was received by Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamny. Aoun toured various offices, including the office of the Head of Port Security, where Brigadier General Albert Chbeir briefed him on operations under current security arrangements.
A broader meeting with senior port officers followed, after which Aoun visited the customs headquarters. Acting Director General of Customs Raymond Khoury presented an overview of the customs enforcement unit’s work.
In this context, Aoun stressed the need for regular and fair customs inspections, urging the full application of laws governing imports and warning against any tolerance for violations.
Upon the conclusion of his visit, the President met with citizens at the port and encouraged them to speak out against any illegal practices.
“There will be no leniency moving forward for any infractions, regardless of who commits them,” he firmly stated.
Comments