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Al-Ahram Weekly 21 - 28 January 1999 Issue No. 413 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 21 - 28 January 1999 Issue No. 413
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Focus Economy Opinion Culture Features Living Travel Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Officials discuss
environmental measuresBy Mahmoud Bakr
The minister of state for the environment, Nadia Makram Ebeid, recently attended the annual meeting of the Society of Writers on the Environment and Development (SWED). The executive director of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA), Dr Ibrahim Abdel Gelil, outlined the current state of the environment. Pollution of the River Nile and the monitoring of waste generated by industry were highlighted as top priorities.
Nadia Makram Ebeid
Ibrahim Abdel-Gelil
Minister Ebeid said, "In three or four years we would like to see the Nile free from all pollution. Already 34 major industrial firms across Egypt who dispose of 100 million cubic metres of industrial waste into the Nile each year have conformed to environmental standards at a total cost of LE350 million."
Delegates then discussed a raft of proposals put forward by various ministries as well as work in progress.
The Ministry of the Environment outlined plans for the construction of sewage stations in the governorates of Cairo, Minya, Sohag, Assiut and Aswan to service houseboats on the Nile which do not have proper sewage disposal systems. The Ministry of Transport and Communications plans to introduce measures to reduce pollution caused by barges and boats on the river. Monitoring of the implementation of environmental standards in industrial cities, many of whose plants release by-products into the Nile, is to be undertaken by teams jointly coordinated by the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Housing and Rehabilitation.
Minister Ebeid also announced plans for a visit to the Tenth of Ramadan City -- a recently developed satellite industrial city -- by members of the health, environment and industry committees of the People's Assembly and the Shura Council. The aim is to obtain information regarding the treatment of pollutants by industrial plants. Officials hope that new guidelines will make the Tenth of Ramadan City an environmentally-friendly zone.
Meanwhile, two facilities for the treatment of hazardous waste and rubbish are planned. The project will be funded by the Association of Investors who will also manage and operate the plants. A drainage water treatment station is also to be established at a cost of LE70 million and is expected to become operational by the end of this year.
Minister Ebeid said that around 100 industrial firms were currently improving their facilities for the treatment of air emissions.
"We are drafting a plan to deal with the most urgent environmental issues. Already two million pounds have been earmarked for measures to deal with the rubbish disposal problem," said Ebeid.
An agreement has been signed with the Swiss government for the establishment of an information system on the management of hazardous substances at a cost of LE1.2 million. It will provide information on the safe disposal of toxic waste and on licensing procedures.
Abdel-Gelil of the EEAA advocated the introduction of environmental education in schools. "Education is the only way to address the root of the problem," he said.
He added that the EEAA had made great efforts to ensure compliance with Environmental Law 4/1994 but argued that a greater respect for environmental legislation was needed from society at large.
He also announced that the EEAA, in its capacity as standards-setter for vehicle exhaust emissions, was carrying out a study to determine modifications to the standard for new vehicles.
