Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam held talks with Beheira Governor Jacqueline Azer on the readiness of the irrigation and drainage system during the peak water demand season, and measures to ensure efficient water management and delivery to the tail ends of canals.
The meeting took place at the start of the minister’s visit to the governorate to inspect the condition of the water system on the ground. The discussions focused on coordination between the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and the Beheira governorate to monitor canal and drain maintenance works, enhance the efficiency of waterways, and remove any obstacles, waste accumulation, or dredging residues that could impede water flow.
Sewilam directed immediate coordination with the governorate to remove accumulated dredging materials and develop a one-year timetable for their full clearance. Sewilam also called for the provision of vehicles to urgently transport dredging waste from the Etay El-Baroud drain, and for intensified efforts to address waste accumulation at several locations, including the Al-Hagarsa canal.
The minister inspected a site designated for collecting floating weeds on the Tawfiki Rayah (also known as the Tawfiqiyya Canal), as well as dredging works on the Sahel Marqas canal, which are being implemented with funding from a German development bank loan.
Sewilam also highlighted the importance of cooperation with the governorate on canal landscaping and tree-planting initiatives.Sewilam noted the work of a joint committee with the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation to identify suitable plant species for canal banks, in coordination with rehabilitation and lining projects.
Sewilam also stressed the importance of incentivizing high-performing field staff through exceptional performance bonuses, in recognition of their efforts in operating and maintaining the water system. For her part, Governor Jacqueline Azer said the end of the Beheira Rayah system represents a critical point in the governorate’s irrigation network, as it serves as a key monitoring location for water delivery to canal tail ends and supports extensive agricultural areas in Etay El-Baroud and surrounding districts.
Jacqueline Azer stressed continued coordination with the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation to follow up on canal and drain maintenance works, enhance waterway efficiency, and remove any obstacles that could affect water flow, thereby supporting the stability of the irrigation system and the agricultural sector in the governorate.
The minister’s tour is scheduled to include inspections of several key sites in Beheira’s irrigation and drainage system, including the end of the Beheira Rayah in Etay El-Baroud, mechanical and electrical pumping stations, Edco Barrages, as well as coastal protection works and the reinforcement of the Rashid seawall in Kafr El-Sheikh.
The visit comes as part of the implementation of the second generation of Egypt’s Water Resources System (2.0), particularly in governance, smart management, and infrastructure rehabilitation, through regular field monitoring and enhanced technical and operational readiness during the summer season.