Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam said that “Decent Life” initiative, launched in January 2019 under the gracious patronage of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, played a pivotal role in providing a decent standard of living for millions of Egyptians.
He noted that the initiative delivered a wide range of service projects targeting the most needy rural areas, presenting a model to the world on how to achieve a dignified life for all citizens.
The minister made the remarks during a meeting with senior officials of the ministry to review the status of water-related projects currently being implemented under the presidential initiative.
The meeting tackled the progress of canal rehabilitation works within the targeted areas of the initiative in the first and second phases.
A total of 978 canals were fully rehabilitated, while work is ongoing on 21 canals in the first phase with a completion rate of 98 percent. In the second phase, rehabilitation was completed for 340 canals, while work continues on 210 canals, reaching a completion rate of 62 percent.
Sewilam directed the relevant bodies of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation to continue implementation in line with the approved timelines, while ensuring the highest quality standards in coordination with executing agencies and companies.
He stressed that the ministry plays a central role in implementing the initiative, as water represents a key element in all development projects.
The ministry carried out a variety of projects that contributed to improving living conditions in the centers of the initiative, including Nile bank protection works, flood protection projects and the transition to using solar energy for pumping groundwater from wells, he said.
The minister added that the ministry is also making a significant contribution to the initiative by allocating irrigation-benefit lands for the establishment of service facilities to serve local communities.
The ministry has secured 147 land plots totaling more than 4,219 thousand square meters across several governorates, including Sohag, Menoufia, Qena, Minya, Damietta, Aswan, Luxor, Assiut, Beheira, Dakahlia, Kafr El Sheikh, Beni Suef, Ismailia, Fayoum, Giza and Qalyubia.
