D. Manal Awad: Implementing development projects worth 18 billion pounds in North and South Sinai
Dr. Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development, confirmed that the development of Sinai is a major axis in the Egyptian government’s program, and the Ministry gives this vital file special importance in its work plan to continue Sinai development efforts, in implementation of President Sisi’s directives regarding implementing the strategy in its various stages towards comprehensive Sinai development. In accordance with Egypt’s Vision (2030), and to be at the forefront of the work priorities of the relevant government ministries.
Dr. Manal Awad reviewed a report on the achievements achieved by the Ministry during the period from July 2014 to 2024 to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development in the North and South Sinai governorates. Pointing out that the size of the projects implemented by the Ministry on Sinai lands were aimed at achieving an economic return, providing permanent job opportunities for the people of Sinai, and achieving a major shift in the services provided to citizens.
Dr. Manal Awad said that an amount was disbursed. (17,864) billion pounds to implement development and service projects, stressing that these projects are just a step followed by other steps that we are taking at unprecedented time rates so that the land of Sinai enjoys development and prosperity in order to be attractive for the resettlement of millions of Egyptians to achieve a better tomorrow for future generations.
The Minister of Local Development confirmed that investments estimated at (12,441) billion pounds have been allocated from the total investment plan to the governorates (including 2.13 billion pounds for North Sinai Governorate – 10.311 billion pounds) to implement projects for paving local roads, electricity and lighting, improving the environment, and supporting the needs of local units. (17) new development clusters and (8) new villages for fishermen for the benefit of the citizens of the two governorates, with a total cost of (3.536) billion pounds, and it includes 10 development clusters in North Sinai Governorate. The area of reclaimed lands reached 10 thousand acres, and 585 housing units were created in addition to (8) New villages for fishermen, pointing out that the South Sinai Governorate included the implementation of 7 development clusters, and the area of reclaimed lands was 2,955 thousand acres, and the total housing units reached 591 housing units, explaining that the Ministry allocated an amount of (278) million pounds to illuminate these new development clusters in the North and South Sinai governorates.
Dr. Manal Awad revealed the achievements of the Ministry of Local Development on the lands of the two governorates, where the road paving projects required for the development of North Sinai Governorate were implemented at a cost of 1.2 billion pounds, where a 90-km-long development axis was established and 4 cross-links along the length were established. 61 km.
As part of the ministry’s interest in providing job opportunities for the people of Sinai through soft loans… the Minister of Local Development confirmed that an amount of 2.6 million pounds had been disbursed to North Sinai to provide soft loans through the Development Fund. Local projects to provide opportunities and establish micro-enterprises for youth and women provided approximately (262) job opportunities for female breadwinners, of which 74% belonged.
Dr. Manal Awad added that an amount of (324) million pounds was disbursed through the project. The National Center for Community, Human and Local Development (Mashreuk) to provide loans for small and medium projects for youth and women, including 33.5 million pounds for North Sinai Governorate, and 290.5 million pounds for the two governorates to implement (1,302) small and micro projects, during which 404 projects were implemented in North Sinai Governorate and 898 projects. In South Sinai Governorate, it provided about 13,213 job opportunities, including 1,855 job opportunities in North Sinai, and 11,358 job opportunities in South Sinai.
The Minister of Local Development explained that it is within the framework of the Ministry’s work plan in the national project for developing villages. An amount of 61.3 million pounds was disbursed to the Egyptian village development program in Sinai, with a number of (5) villages in each governorate, including an amount of 27.3 million pounds in North Sinai Governorate to develop the villages of (Umm Al-Qatf) Umm Shihan – Al-Risan – Countla – Al-Nathila), noting that an amount of 34 million pounds was allocated to the South Sinai Governorate to develop the villages of (Ras Masla – Al-Randal – Wadi Maktab – Wadi Saal – Wadi Al-Tur).
And in light of what the electricity sector represents. It is of utmost importance to implement important projects towards meeting the development needs of various regions in the two governorates. Dr. Manal Awad confirmed that the Ministry has allocated an amount of 60 million pounds to the program to save electrical energy used in lighting streets and roads, where a number (57,777) thousand energy-saving floodlights were supplied and installed, including 24,146. One thousand scouts in North Sinai Governorate and 33,631 thousand scouts in South Sinai.
This comes within the framework of Egypt’s celebrations of the 51st anniversary of the glorious October victories, and in light of the great efforts made by the state. During the era of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Egypt sought to place Sinai (the Land of Turquoise) on the map of comprehensive development and investment, within an ambitious and unprecedented plan to reconstruct Sinai and make it an attractive area for investors and residents, linking it to the Delta and the governorates, and making it a natural extension of the Nile Valley. This was achieved through the implementation of giant national and development projects that included the establishment of… Industrial, agricultural and mining areas and complexes, modern urban communities, building roads, bridges and tunnels, in addition to paying attention to building people and providing them with all means of decent living at all levels.
