Municipal Facilities in Northern Gaza, 28 March 2001

Municipality services reflect citizens, enjoyment of their socio-economic rights.
The municipality's performance was under question in North Gaza District, especially since the outbreak of the Intifada.
Municipality resources have significantly decreased owing to poverty and unemployment, and the services they provide have deteriorated.
Face the Public addressed some practical solutions in this meeting.
attended by 76 persons Key guests Khalil Samara, Mayor of Jabalia.
Ibrahim Hamad, Mayor of Beit Hanun.
Muhammad al-Masri, Mayor of Beit Lahia.
Summary of issues raised by the public
The participants talked about their everyday suffering and their obligations to pay service fees for the municipalities on a retrograde basis.
They also spoke about the sewage problems, which cause pollution, drowning and other hazards.
They demanded that the municipalities organize job creation schemes to compensate for the high loss of jobs, and that the municipalities be funded by the PNA at least during the Intifada.
The issue of the unpaved roads was also raised together with the issue of neighborhoods that lack sewage facilities, claiming that there is discrimination in renewing the old sewage system in Jabalia, while other areas lack such services altogether.
Summary of answers given by the guest speakers
The guests stated that many pavement projects would be done as soon as the Israelis allow the entrance of raw materials.
Jabalia municipality offered a 20% reduction on the water and electricity bills.
They assured the audience that a new sewage station would be constructed in Beit Lahia in cooperation with the PNA along with the PNA commitment to expand the sewage lines to the seacoast in May 2001.
The mayor of Beit Hanun municipality expressed readiness to cooperate with the citizens in the Nada housing project and al-Ezba neighborhood.
The guests also reviewed the essential roles played by the municipalities after the explosion of the Nahal Oz Dam and Israeli attacks against the Palestinian environment.