(AFP Photo)
Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb inspected the work in the new port of Safaga during his Saturday visit to the Red Sea governorate.
Mehleb’s visit took place in the presence of the governor and head of the Red Sea Ports Authority, accompanied by Minister of Transport Hany Dahi.
“What was accomplished in the new Safaga project over the last six months is almost equivalent to what has been implemented during the past four years,” Dahi said.
The minister asserted that there is an intensification of work and continuous follow-ups, adding that the total cost of the project is estimated at EGP 325m.
Mehleb requested from project operators a clear timetable for the completion of all work by the end of next June. He also requested the installation of a digital clock for the project that specifies the amount of time left until the project is completed, to reassure the community of the seriousness of the work.
“I cannot deny the improvement at carrying out the project during the last months,” Mehleb said, who added that he aims to speed up the process with a high quality.
Work on this project was divided into three main phases, characterised by geometric, technical and operational structures. These are taking place under one administration, in order to guarantee quality and task organisation with high accuracy. The divisions cover the maritime passenger station sector, old port borders development and the land port sector.
Hesham Abu Sena, Chairman of Red Sea Port Authority, said the project includes space for goods, a passenger terminal, an aluminium terminal, grain terminal, maritime pier, space for imports and exports, administrative areas, paths and gates, in addition to a multi-purpose terminal.
Abu Sena added that the port’s total land area after development is at 825,000sqm. The annual capacity of the maritime terminal is 1.3 million passengers, 30,000 cars, 40,000 trucks, while the total capacity for trading after development is 8.5m tonnes.
Mehleb demanded the establishment of a terminal for water desalination with land space of 500 cubic metres in order to serve the port, in addition to a terminal for solar energy, with the aim of serving the project.
