Minister of Supply and Domestic Trade Gouda Abdel Khaleq said that the ministry has filed several reports against former members of the disbanded People’s Assembly, claiming they illegally sold millions of liters of oil products on the black market. Abdel Khalek said that the current government will officially cease work by the end of June, but will continue to advise the incoming government on this matter.
Abdel Khaleq rejected an offer to take charge of the Ministry of Social Solidarity in President-elect Mohamed Morsy’s Cabinet, he told Al-Masry Al-Youm during the 11th conference of the Middle East Economic Association (MEEA). Abdel Khaleq said instead he will continue his academic career.
"As I leave office, there is currently a reserve of 5 million tons of wheat, against 3 million tons when I took office. During the interim period we have tried to control the organization of supplies and curb the smuggling of rice to achieve social justice,” Abdel Khaleq said.
The minister added that his successor will be more fortunate than he was, as Abdel Khaleq will be able to serve as an advisor to the new minister when he takes office and provide counsel.
The minister lashed out at the recently dissolved Parliament, dubbing the behavior of the former MPs "irresponsible.” He added that the Parliament held the government responsible for all the problems that Egypt suffered during the transitional period, without looking at the real reasons behind these crises.
"It is illogical that the government becomes responsible for the problems of the past 30 years, but Parliament acted as if the reign of the National Democratic Party had nothing to do with it," he said. “The government asked Parliament to endorse the law for harsher penalties in cases of illegal selling of subsidized supplies and commodities, but it refused,” he added.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
