Dr. Manal Awad, Egypt's Minister of Local Development and Environment, recently convened a meeting with Lieutenant General Mohamed Amr, head of the Marine Life Protection Committee of the Arab Union for Protection of Wildlife and Marine Life. The discussion centered on ways to enhance and maximize the utilization of the Salim center for combating oil pollution in Sharm El-Sheikh, South Sinai Governorate.
The meeting was attended by Engineer Sharif Abdel Rahim, CEO of the Environmental Affairs Agency, and several other high-ranking officials. Dr. Awad emphasized that upgrading the center's capabilities and operational efficiency is crucial in supporting the preparedness and response to marine pollution incidents. She stressed the need to achieve maximum benefit from the center's available resources and develop its operational mechanisms.
The minister reviewed the center's establishment details and its role in the oil pollution combat system. The center was created as a grant from the European Union to the Environmental Affairs Agency and is one of four specialized centers performing similar tasks in the Gulf of Aqaba region. The meeting also covered the center's objectives and scope of work, focusing on rapid and effective response to marine pollution incidents.
The center's equipment for handling marine pollution incidents includes sea units and barriers to contain oil pollution, oil recovery equipment and coastal pollution response equipment. Additional equipment and tanks are used for collecting and storing recovered oils. This enhances rapid intervention and improves cleanup and response operations.
The meeting discussed the center's management and operation mechanisms, as well as its emergency plan. There was emphasis on the importance of completing its development and updating to enhance readiness and response. Continued training and practical exercises were also deemed essential to ensure the readiness of work teams and equipment.
Dr. Awad directed the preparation of a comprehensive study on the center, including an evaluation of its current capabilities and equipment. The study will also explore possible additional tasks and activities. This aims to maximize the use of its resources and enhance its ability to respond to marine pollution incidents efficiently and quickly.
Dr. Awad highlighted the importance of enhancing the center's awareness role in coordination with surrounding villages and areas. This aims to raise awareness of mechanisms for dealing with oil pollution incidents and providing initial response requirements.
Key points
- Egypt's Environment Ministry seeks to boost marine pollution response capabilities
- Sharm El-Sheikh center to receive upgrades for improved efficiency
- Enhanced center to support marine conservation efforts in South Sinai
