Minister of Planning approves EGP 750 million for the national canal lining, rehabilitation project

The project aims to protect the environment, enhance roads' ability to serve agricultural activities: Dr Hala El-Said

Minister of Planning and Economic Development Hala El-Said approved EGP 750 million as additional support for the national project for the rehabilitation and lining of canals and raising their efficiency, as part of the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources plan for the current fiscal year 2020/21.

El-Said explained that the approved amount came within the framework of achieving the goals of the National Water Resources Strategy in Egypt in 2037. She stressed the Ministry's keenness to provide the necessary support for national projects and to implement the Presidential mandates.
El-Said pointed out the project’s contribution to realizing Egypt's vision 2030 because of its connection to its three economic, social and environmental dimensions, and its contribution to integrating the spatial dimension by targeting the villages of "A Decent Life." presidential initiative.
She also stressed the importance of the project of rehabilitation and lining of canals, noting that it is expected that the project will save about 5 billion cubic meters of irrigation water annually. 
El-Said explained that the most prominent objectives of the project are to preserve canals sectors and protect bridges, thus raising the efficiency of water transmission and distribution and improving its quality. It will also ensure that water reaches farmers at the required times, and contributing to increasing agricultural productivity and improving the environmental conditions.
El-Said added that the project also works to rationalize the costs of maintenance, cleaning, environmental protection, and creating spaces on both sides of the canals in a way that enhances the ability of roads to serve agricultural and other activities. Nevertheless, the project will also create job opportunities it provides as part of the state's efforts to reduce the coronavirus impacts on the labor market.