Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli announced on Wednesday the launch of the first edition of a book documenting all achievements realised in various parts of Egypt over the past seven years.
He made the remarks during the inauguration of national and development projects in Upper Egypt in the presence of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.
The book is important for documenting what was achieved over the past period, he said, noting that the state worked on improving the conditions of people’s life in Upper Egypt.
He added that the objective of launching this book is documenting the efforts exerted over the past seven years, noting that the book also documents the projects due to be implemented in the coming three years.
The prime minister said the book is meant to sensitise people, especially youths, on the achievements realised nationwide, referring to the inauguration of projects at the heart of Upper Egypt under directives of President Sisi.
Delivering a speech during the opening of a benzene production complex in the Assiut Oil Refining Company, Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli said Upper Egypt has been suffering from marginalisation over the past decades and there was no vision for comprehensive development of this area.
Under directives of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, the government worked on developing Upper Egypt in accordance with a comprehensive development plan, he said.
He added that several villages in Upper Egypt are still suffering from problems.
The prime minister added that Decent Life initiative has made a difference in developing various villages in Upper Egypt in three years.
He said the real problem in Upper Egypt is the imbalance in demographic distribution as only 30 per cent of population live in Upper Egypt. Moreover , this area suffers from high unemployment rates.
Madbouli said the main catalyst for developing Upper Egypt is the presence of natural potentials, mineral wealth and unique tourism potentials.
He also referred to the human capabilities in Upper Egypt.
He noted that President Sisi directed during the National Youth Forum in 2017 that the Upper Egypt youths would be at the top of the national work agenda.
Over the past seven years, the state injected about LE1.1 trillion investments in projects, either accomplished or still going on, the premier said, noting that this contributed to improving the quality of people’s life.
He added that the government worked on several axes to achieve comprehensive development in Upper Egypt, topped by developing the infrastructure and achieving economic development.
The premier underlined the importance of developing the infrastructure of Upper Egypt, especially roads and bridges.
Madbouli said the development axes project in the Upper Egypt was among the most important national projects.
It is the first project to link eastern and western the River Nile, he said, noting that 14 axes are being implemented at a cost of LE23.5 billion.
He added that investments in the railways sector stood at LE32 billion, referring to upgrading the signal system and workshops as well as development of 46 railway stations in Upper Egypt. He also cited the development of maritime ports, noting that 14 new cities were set up.
Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli said the project of developing capitals of governorates – under directives of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi – is meant not only to establish new cities, but also to develop the already established cities.
Drinking water and sanitation networks have been upgraded with an aim to reach 100 per cent coverage within two years.
He added that the electricity sector has been upgraded at over LE100 billion.
Prime Minister said one of the most important renewable energy projects – the Benban solar energy plant – was set up in the Upper Egypt governorate of Aswan at total investments of LE2 billion.
The Benban project represents an example of partnership between the state and the private sector, he said.
This project has copped international prizes, he said, referring to projects for extending natural gas to houses and developing oil fields and refineries.
He noted that all these projects are meant to achieve self-sufficiency of fuel products, especially in Upper Egypt.
He also referred to the project of developing fiber cables which entered Upper Egypt for the first time under Decent Life initiative.
He noted that several projects in the fields of electricity, lighting, slaughterhouses, road improvement, and local roads are implemented at a cost of LE30 billion.
He added that the state – in tandem with the World Bank – carried out the local development project in the governorates of Sohag and Qena at a total cost of LE10 billion.
