Issa Al-Areibi, the head of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee in the Libyan House of Representatives, has emphasised the urgent need for the Libyan government to respond to the demands of citizens in oil and gas-producing regions by providing essential services.
Al-Areibi’s statement to the Sputnik news agency comes amid circulating rumours about the closure of the Sharara oil field in southwest Libya.
Al-Areibi stressed the importance of the government addressing the legitimate needs of the affected citizens to ensure continuous service delivery for a decent living.
“These are legitimate demands that governments must fulfil promptly without failure, as they are a compulsory duty of the state towards its people, not merely gifts or aids,” he stated.
The Libyan MP also highlighted the adverse health impacts on residents from oil production activities. He urged the National Oil Corporation to prioritize employment for locals in oil facilities, aiming to attract a significant number of them to work in oil fields and ports and provide ample job opportunities for this vital demographic.
Some groups have called on the Libyan Unity Government to shut down the Sharara oil field to press for undisclosed demands.
A Libyan source earlier denied media reports that local protesters had closed the Sharara oil field but noted that preparations for a potential shutdown were underway.
According to the source, who wished to remain anonymous, “The Sharara oil field has not yet been closed, but preparations for closure are set to begin tomorrow morning.”
Messages have been sent to the field’s staff and engineers informing them of the impending shutdown starting tomorrow morning.
