Mubarak: Toshka is the future project for opportunities to the youths
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak made an expanded tour of the Toshka area during which he stated that the South Valley Project is for the new century and the future of the youths.
Mubarak said those who criticize the project did not pay it a visit to get more information about it. He added that the South Valley Project aims at providing lands for agriculture and work opportunities for youths as well as a chance for a good life for Egypt's citizens outside the narrow valley.
Regarding the progress made since his last visit to the area two years ago, Mubarak said the area is free of pollution and a land of very high productivity, stating that no chemicals will be used in agriculture in the area.
Mubarak arrived in Toshka yesterday morning escorted by a large official and public delegation that includes the prime minister, other ministers, the heads of organizations, writers, reporters, Egyptian and foreign information men, heads of universities, businessmen, and artists in addition to Saudi businessman Prince Walid bin Talal.
Mubarak listened to a presentation by Minister of Public Works and Water Resources Mahmoud Abu Zeid regarding the Toshka project that is confirmed by images by satellite that are taken every 15 days to show the canal's extension.
Later Mubarak moved to see the establishing works for the El-Nasr canal and El-Rafe station, then he saw maps for the station that will begin operation in October 2001.
Minister of Electricity and Energy Maher Abaza and Minister of Housing and Urban Societies Mohammed Ibrahim Soleiman talked about the housing projects.
Mubarak opened a fuel storage station held by Ministry of Petroleum in Toshka to serve the project.
Prime Minister Kamal El-Ganzouri said it is decided in the coming two five-year plans to invest 420 billion pounds in urbanizing south of the valley at a shared cost of 20% to the state and 80% to the private sector.
Ganzouri said "If we wait another two or three years or if we wait until 2010, Egypt's population will reach about 90 million. This means that one will have to eat standing up,'' he added. Ganzouri recalled that President Mubarak has pointed out on several occasions that social violence is not part of the Egyptian character but has spread as a result of overpopulation.
"There are now 1600 people per kilometer in Upper Egypt, 1200 in Lower Egypt, 13,000 in Cairo and 10,000 in Alexandria. Therefore, getting out of the old valley is not merely an economic necessity but is also a social must," the Prime Minister explained.