Egypt has completed 481 development projects worth a total investment cost of EGP 11.7bn in Qaliubiya governorate, Minister of Planning and Economic Development Hala El-Said said on Sunday.
The projects cover seven sectors, namely: education; health; electricity; housing; transportation; irrigation; and local development.
The results were revealed in the eighth edition of the “Citizen Follow-up in the Governorates” report for fiscal years (FY) 2018/19- 2019/20, issued by the ministry.
The report said that the state have worked towards achieving the second sustainable development goal (SDG), “Eradicating hunger, providing food security and improved nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture”.
As part of this, nine projects in the water resources and irrigation sector have been completed, worth a total of EGP 22m. This included the rehabilitation of canals with irrigation engineering at Toukh, Kafr Shukr, and Banha, and the delivery of electricity to 11 underground wells.
Regarding the third SDG, which aims to ensure a healthy life and promote well-being for all at all ages, five projects have been completed worth investments of EGP 122m. These included the first phase development of the Qaha Central Hospital, and the development of the health unit in the village of Mit Halfa in the centre of Qaliyoub.
This occurred alongside the development of the Kharkania village medical centre in the Qanater Al-Khayriya centre, as well as the establishment of a medical centre and ambulance point in the Obour area of Greater Cairo.
Concerning the fourth SDG, ensuring a quality education that is equitable and inclusive and promotes learning opportunities throughout life for all, the report stated that 82 projects were completed in the pre-university education sector, for EGP 433.2m. These projects resulted in the creation, replacement, and expansion of 1,392 classes across the governorate.
A comprehensive survey of local community characteristics issued by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) shows an increase in the percentage of villages in which a governmental primary and preparatory school is available. This saw the numbers rise from 93.9% in 2015, to 100% in 2020.
As part of the sixth goal, “Ensure the availability of drinking water and sanitation for all and manage it sustainably”, 13 drinking water and sanitation projects have been implemented, worth EGP 729m.
The report also noted that, for the seventh goal which covers universal access to modern, regular, and sustainable energy services at an affordable cost, six projects worth EGP 29m were completed in the electricity and renewable energy sector.
Furthermore, the report indicated the implementation of 81 projects worth EGP 69m within the local development programmes for electricity and lighting infrastructure, and which were completed in all centres and cities of the governorate.
Regarding the ninth SDG, “Establishing resilient infrastructure, stimulating inclusive sustainable industrialization, and encouraging innovation”, the report pointed to the completion of construction on the Shubra-Banha Free Road. The road is 40 km in length, with other work as part of this including paving the entrances to the main villages, representing a length of 26.4 km.
A total of 79 projects within the local development programmes, including paving roads, bridges, and tunnels, were also completed, for EGP 360m. This has resulted in developed and improved roads and streets over 190km using paving and interlock tiles, in addition to the construction and development of 15 bridges and tunnels.
Concerning the eleventh SDG, “making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”, 283,000 social housing units have been implemented alongside 64 projects. This comes as part of local development programmes, which have been completed at a cost of EGP 123m.
Regarding the 13th SDG, “Taking urgent measures to combat climate change and its impacts”, the report indicated the completion of 102 projects within the local development programmes focused on improving the environment.
These projects were worth EGP 236m, and resulted in covering canals and drains extending over 0.6 km in length. It also saw the provision of over 6,000 cleaning equipment and tools, including garbage bins, cars, loaders, sweeping devices, and the development of 13 slaughterhouses.