One of the residents of the Savings and Real Estate Investment Bank building in the Meizran area told our source:
“The apartments were previously rented to private companies. After these companies left in 2011, the apartments became empty. We moved in during 2013, and some of us at the end of 2012, with ownership certificates.”
He added:
“When we entered the apartments, they had no windows, no doors, no elevator, and no water. We — 28 families — fixed everything ourselves. We installed doors and windows, repaired the water networks, and legally connected electricity through official meters.”
He continued:
“We contacted the Savings Bank to sign housing contracts, but they told us at that time that the bank was closed, there were no new contracts, and that they were tied to the Land Registry and could not issue contracts for us.”
He also said:
“In 2014, the General Manager of the Savings Bank, Jum’a Al-Nayed, came to the building, toured the entrances, and was very impressed by the changes we made. The building used to be like a den where young people gathered; it was in terrible condition. That all changed because of our efforts. But after that visit, nothing happened and no one followed up with us.”
He went on:
“When we later tried again to contact the bank to sign contracts, the bank clearly refused. The branch we belonged to didn’t even have a manager. Whenever we asked, they said: ‘There is no manager yet, no one has been appointed. Please wait.’”
He added:
“Recently, we received summonses from the Central Police Station. We complied and went to the prosecution, which issued arrest warrants. We remained detained for 18 days. They kept telling us: ‘Hand over the apartments you’re in and then leave,’ meaning they extorted us by depriving us of our freedom. This is a great injustice. We are Libyan families — 28 apartments, all inhabited by widows, divorced women, and poor families who cannot afford rent. Rental prices today are beyond people’s means; those who rent can barely eat or drink. We also have children.”
He continued:
“They cut off the water supply from the beginning of October until now. People in the building have no water. Women over 60 years old climb high floors — the 5th, 6th, and 7th — carrying water in plastic containers. Only God knows their condition. The situation is truly tragic.”
He concluded:
“We are Libyan citizens with civil rights, one of which is the provision of housing by the State.”
