Al-Halqi: We will spare no effort to secure Aleppo's basic needs

Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi stressed that the government will spare no effort to secure the basic needs for the city of Aleppo and overcome the obstacles facing it in terms of particularly ensuring access to the city, which is what the armed forces are working on. Speaking to the Syria TV by phone in the framework of a program on Aleppo, al-Halqi said although the services available in Aleppo are acceptable, yet they re not up to the aspired-for level. Asked on the electricity situation in the city, the premier said the problem is that the thermal power station which provides 800 MW is the main source supplier of Aleppo and it is broken down after it came under attacks by the armed terrorists groups. He continued as saying that maintenance and repair workshops have been unfortunately unable to access the station, adding that the power supply from the Euphrates dam is also suspended due to broken generating turbines damaged by terrorist groups' acts. Al-Halqi said the current power supply in Aleppo province reaches 180 MW daily, 120 of which goes to the city and 60 to the countryside, all coming from Tishreen dam, noting that this amount gets interrupted sometimes when terrorist attacks occur. He pointed out that the problem of electricity has in turn reflected on water pumping stations which currently cover around 60 % of the province's needs. Al-Halqi assured that the situation of the health sector in Aleppo is relatively stable despite the difficult conditions, noting that three shipments of medical equipment and medicinal supplies have reached Aleppo. As for the fuel supplies, the premier said the problem lies with the potential dangers on the roads which hinder access to Aleppo, noting however that several gas oil and benzene tankers have reached Aleppo after the armed forces cleared al-Salamiyeh-Khanaser-al-Sfeireh-Aleppo International Airport road.