Toshka project viability confirmed anew
Economic development experience in Egypt has proved that mega national projects are actually the proper way to redistribute population and expand urbanization to new unpopulated areas, said an official statement.
The Toshka project, which aims at reclaiming vast areas of land to the south of the Western Desert, would "make use of the Nile water which was squandered in vain in the past." The project, officials say, would cultivate some 500,000 feddans in the area. This "new delta" would solve overpopulation, poverty, and unemployment by providing jobs in the agricultural and industrial sectors that will be developed.
These projects are also the optimal means of exploiting the country's available resources and wealth, thus ensuring that development returns are equitably distributed and job opportunities provided to the Egyptian people all over the homeland.
International planning expert Dr. Ali Noureddin said that there is difference between performance assessment and project evaluation. It is just normal that there should be a continuous revision and flow-up of the timetables of implementing such projects, so that the cost be kept within reasonable limits in accordance with the feasibility study of every project. These national projects are the practical solution and positive contribution to sustain development, through the forthcoming century under the leadership of President Mubarak.
He added that the government allocated LE 5.5 billion for the project infrastructure including the main water pumping station, Sheikh Zayed Canal branches of different lengths.
On the other hand, the private sector will take part in the investment through the land reclamation phase.
He said that total investment for implementing Toshka project under 1999-2000 fiscal year are estimated at some LE 1.2 billion. Noureddin said that reports on alternative scientific studies to achieve the same targets at lower costs are merely ungrounded notions. He concluded that Toshka project is indeed a serious one that will continue to be.
Egypt’s mega projects will provide an opportunity to get out of the narrow valley to new vast communities. They will enable us to live on 25% instead of 6% of Egypt’s total area. Consultant of mega projects, Dr. Mamdouh Hamza said those doubting Egypt’s mega projects are non- specialists and lack in information.