Government vehicles to burn LBP 173 billion in fuel in 2018
The 2018 budget law, in line with budget laws of previous years, contains a “liquid fuel” clause stipulating the fuel cost for government vehicles. The estimated price tag for 2018 comes to LBP 173 billion compared to LBP 210 billion in 2010, i.e. a decrease of LBP 37 billion. This decline might not occur, however, because global oil prices are on the rise again—and with them the price of fuel in Lebanon—and because expenditures in the past years were above LBP 200 billion despite lower oil prices. If costs exceed the budget estimate, the government will quickly transfer an appropriation from the budget reserve to cover the extra cost. Moreover, if counting the cost of fuel used by municipalities (1,045) and public institutions (around 73), which is not included in the public budget, the total cost would double. It is necessary, then, to issue decrees stipulating who is entitled to use government vehicles.
Otherwise, the budget stipulates fuel expenditures will be distributed to government departments as follows, with the highest amounts going to the military and security forces.
Lebanese Army: LBP 100 billion
Internal Security Forces: LBP 51.2 billion
General Security: LBP 12.4 billion
State Security: LBP 4.4 billion
Parliament: LBP 1.9 billion
Lebanese Customs Administration: LBP 800 million
Ministry of Agriculture: LBP 440 million
Presidency of the Republic: LBP 215 million
Presidency of the Council of Ministers: LBP 210 million
Ministry of Public Health: LBP 128 million
Ministry of Energy and Water: LBP 98 million
Ministry of Economy and Trade: LBP 96 million
Ministry of Industry: LBP 70 million
Directorate General of Civil Aviation: LBP 64 million
Ministry of Environment: LBP 57 million
Ministry for the Displaced: LBP 57 million
Directorate General of Roads (Ministry of Public Works): LBP 48 million
Ministry of Tourism: LBP 29 million
Ministry of Social Affairs: LBP 29 million
