Dr. Hesham Kandil, Egypt’s Prime Minister, has witnessed signing an agreement between the Social Fund for Development (SFD) and the country’s ministries of Irrigation, Housing and Education. The agreement aims to rehabilitate the most impoverished families and to develop 94 schools alongside to removing the harmful grasses from the course of River Nile.
Dr. Tarek Wafiq, Egypt’s Housing and Urban Communities Minister, has affirmed that this agreement is part of SFD’s major US$200 million agreement with the World Bank in summer 2012 to boost the standards of living for the most impoverished families.
Wafiq further added that as pursuant to the agreement signed today, the Central Agency For Reconstruction’s shall be around 25% worth US$ 47 million.
The Housing Minister noted that the works have already started in Dirout district in Assiut governorate for 10 villages targeting the rehabilitation of 106 families and the restoration of houses. He added that the phase will last for further 3 months following by going to Phase II as regard to the rehabilitation of 8.000 families within 3 years in the rest of the country’s governorates in Upper Egypt.
Phase II shall include Minya, Sohag, Luxor and Qena, the minister added.
Mohamed Bahaa Eldin, Minister of Water and Irrigation said the agreement signed with SFD in order to protect River Nile in 5 governorates in Upper Egypt alongside in 3 governorates in Lower Egypt to maintain the course of River Nile. Bahaa Eldin pointed out that upon the signed agreement, the Ministry’s share is about US$52 million.
Dr. Ibrahim Ghoneim, Minister of Education, has affirmed that the Ministry’s share from the agreement is up to US$35 million, the first tranche shall be around EGP 46 million for the maintenance of 94 schools including 29 in Assiut , 9 in Cairo ,21 in Menoufia and 20 schools in Damietta.
Ghoneim added that the government has allocated around EGP 2.3 billion in its budget for the maintenance of the nationwide schools, which in return will provide multiple job opportunities.
From her part, Ghada Waly- the SFD’s Managing Director – has confirmed that the agreement aims to remove the grass, protect River Nile, the restoration of 94 schools, and the rehabilitation of 103 houses.
