Egyptian Minister of Water Resources, Hani Suwelim, recently held a meeting with Ahmed Al-Assar, Chairman of the Board of Arab Contractors, to review the status of joint projects between the Ministry and the company. Suwelim welcomed the ongoing cooperation, emphasizing the Ministry's commitment to continuing and enhancing this collaboration. He highlighted the importance of leveraging the company's technical and engineering expertise to ensure efficient project execution.

During the meeting, Al-Assar expressed Arab Contractors' commitment to continued cooperation and coordination with the Ministry, strengthening their existing partnership in various areas of work and joint projects. The two parties discussed several ongoing projects, including beach protection initiatives supervised by relevant Ministry agencies. These projects include the protection and dredging of the Ashtoom Al-Jamil and Al-Safara waterways, which feed into Lake Manzala.

The meeting also covered the status of the Alexandria coastline protection project, stretching from Bir Masoud to Al-Mahrousa. The Minister directed the continuation of work on these projects, ensuring timely completion according to scheduled timelines. Additionally, the parties reviewed the progress of the waterway renovation project at Fom Bahr Moys, part of the Ministry's efforts to rehabilitate water structures.

The rehabilitation project involves ensuring that all work adheres to the required standards and specifications, with a focus on quality control and necessary testing. The project's implementation must also consider the historical significance of the old waterway, with collaboration from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities for restoration efforts. This project aims to enhance the water structure's efficiency while preserving its archaeological value.

Another proposed project discussed was the rehabilitation of the Al-Bousaila waterway in Fayoum Governorate, using environmentally friendly materials. The parties agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding, initiating this pilot project before potentially expanding the use of this technology to other waterways. The Minister requested a detailed study to determine the costs of applying this technology to the Wadi Al-Nakra main waterway in Aswan.

The meeting between Suwelim and Al-Assar underscores the Egyptian government's efforts to enhance cooperation with private sector companies like Arab Contractors. By leveraging the expertise of such companies, the Ministry aims to improve the efficiency and quality of its projects. These collaborations are crucial for addressing Egypt's water resources challenges and ensuring sustainable development.

The ongoing projects and proposed initiatives highlight the importance of effective partnerships in Egypt's infrastructure development. By working together, the Ministry of Water Resources and Arab Contractors can deliver high-quality projects that meet the country's needs. The use of innovative technologies and environmentally friendly materials will be essential in achieving these goals.

Key points

  • Egypt's Minister of Water Resources, Hani Suwelim, met with Arab Contractors' Board Chairman, Ahmed Al-Assar, to discuss ongoing joint projects and potential new initiatives.

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SaharaWire Newsroom
SaharaWire

Reporting for SaharaWire from the Nairobi bureau.