Tunisian Agriculture Minister Azedin Ben Cheikh has urged the acceleration of the Saida Dam project in the Wadi Al-Layel delegation. The project, 92% complete, aims to provide 45 million cubic meters of water for drinking and irrigation in the Greater Tunis and coastal regions. The minister made the call during a field visit to the project site, accompanied by the Governor of Manouba and representatives of the General Directorate of Dams and Major Hydraulic Works.
The Saida Dam project, launched in February 2019, is part of a system to transfer excess water from the north to the Greater Tunis, Cap Bon, and coastal regions. The project includes the construction of the Saida Dam, expected to be completed within six months, and the Qal'a Al-Kubra Dam, also 92% complete and expected to be finished by the end of November. The project also involves five pumping stations, which will be completed in three years and will have a capacity of 4.6 to 9.2 cubic meters per second.
The project, funded by the Arab Development Fund and the state budget, aims to provide a reliable source of water for drinking and irrigation. The project's components include a 115-kilometer-long canal from Saida to the Bley reservoir in Nabul, as well as balancing reservoirs in Manouba and Nabul. The project's total cost is approximately 214 million dinars.
The project's manager, Rafik Sba, explained that the system will store raw water in the Saida Dam and then transfer it to the Bley reservoir and the Qal'a Al-Kubra Dam, before finally reaching the desalination plant on the coast. He added that the project will help to address the challenges of water scarcity in the region.
The minister's visit to the project site highlighted the importance of completing the project on time. The project's completion will help to ensure a reliable source of water for drinking and irrigation in the region. The project's progress was also reviewed during the visit, with the minister emphasizing the need to accelerate the completion of the remaining work.
The project's implementation has faced some challenges, including difficulties in acquiring land and resolving property issues. However, these issues have been largely resolved, with 7 million dinars allocated for compensation to affected residents. The project's completion is expected to have a significant impact on the region's water supply.
The Saida Dam project is a key component of Tunisia's efforts to improve its water management infrastructure. The project's completion will help to ensure a reliable source of water for drinking and irrigation, supporting the country's economic and social development.
Key points
- The Saida Dam project aims to provide 45 million cubic meters of water for drinking and irrigation in the Greater Tunis and coastal regions.
- The project is 92% complete and is expected to be finished within the next six months.
- The project's total cost is approximately 214 million dinars.
