Eng. Sherif El Sherbiny - Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities, held a meeting to discuss the ministry's efforts in the water desalination file. The meeting was attended by officials from the ministry, the New Urban Communities Authority, the Holding Company for Drinking Water and Wastewater, Egyptian Water and Wastewater Regulatory Agency (EWRA), the National Authority of Potable Water and Sewage (NOPWASD), Eng. Hassan Mustafa – Senior Vice Chairman of the Arab Contractors Company, and Eng. Heba Abo Elala - Vice Chairman of the Arab Contractors Company.
Eng. Sherif El Sherbiny began the meeting by emphasizing the importance of desalination, both seawater and well water, stressing the need for all relevant ministry sectors to work together on this vital issue to achieve the desired goals, as the ministry prioritizes desalination.
The meeting addressed the exerted efforts made by the Ministry and its affiliated entities regarding water desalination, as well as discussing a number of proposals regarding the work mechanisms at the stations and the status of the networks. The Minister directed the formation of a committee of officials from the Ministry and affiliated entities concerned with the matter to analyze the current status of the existing stations, utilize them, and enhance their efficiency to maximize their benefits. It also outlined a vision for all future requirements, and monitoring the ongoing projects and its time schedule.
The Minister added that the committee will study all proposals to support this issue, whether from the Ministry's affiliated entities or the private sector. He noted the Ministry's commitment to supporting the private sector in undertaking these projects, whether through partnerships or other mechanisms, facilities provided to investors, and to implement the projects as soon as possible and bring them into operation.
The Housing Minister emphasized the importance of localizing the industry for all tasks required by desalination plants, in addition to using the latest desalination technology. He pointed out that a weekly meeting of the formed committee to follow up on all procedures of the desalination file will be held to ensure tangible results.