January 9, 2019
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly witnessed on Wednesday the signing of an agreement for the integrated depollution project of the Kitchener Drain, developing a sustainable system for solid waste management and rehabilitation of the drain’s infrastructure at a cost of 148.3 million euros.
The signings occurred in the presence of the Minister of Investment and International Cooperation, Sahar Nasr. The agreement was signed by the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mohamad Abdel Ati and the Deputy Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in Egypt, Catarina Hansen.
The Kitchener Drain is the main agricultural drain passing through the governorates of Kafr al-Sheikh, Gharbia and Dakahlia in the Delta region. It is the largest drain in Egypt, at a length of 69 km and was established in 1899. Six million citizens living in those three governorates will benefit from the agreement to support water depollution.
Nasr said that this agreement is very important and has many dimensions. It aims to improve the health and environmental conditions of the people of the governorates close to the Kitchener Drain.
She added that the Ministries of Housing, Local Development, Water Resources and Irrigation will undertake the implementation of the project, which is generally funded at 408.05 million euros, including 45.8 million euros grant from the European Union, 213.9 million euros from the European Investment Bank, and 148.3 million euros from the EBRD.
Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mohamad Abdel Ati said that LE40 billion has been allocated during the “2030 Sustainable Development Strategy” to implement irrigation improvement projects. These projects will have a positive impact on health and the environment in general, as well as for the national plan.
Catarina Hansen said that the EBRD’s investments in Egypt amounted to 4.5 billion euros, pointing out that Egypt is the second largest country for the bank operations while praising Egypt’s steps in terms of economic and legislative reform.