7 - 13 June 2001
Issue No.537
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 7 - 13 June 2001 Issue No.537 |
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A match to the task
In an exclusive interview with Al-Ahram Weekly, the governor of Alexandria, Abdel-Salam Mahgoub, makes it clear that the hurdles towards developing this once "bride of the Mediterranean" are formidable. But so is he
For years, Alexandrians complained that their top official let the city waste away. That was until Abdel-Salam Mahgoub arrived as the new governor four years ago. He has swept everyone off their feet, for better -- and for worse -- with a flurry of activity. And it is a tough job finding someone in the city who does not sing his praise. Even his staunchest critics maintain, "he is a very honest man" and "he is a man of good intentions."
Abdel-Salam Mahgoub
(From top) Urban disharmony: Qasr Al-Qutn looms over Manshiya Square; low-rise construction is sacrificed in favour of high-rises; a "new face" for Alexandria: freshly painted buildings in Anfoushi
Mahgoub has built his reputation on wringing that extra piastre out of anyone who wants to use the city. And then he actually uses the money to "improve" Alexandria. The aesthetic value of many of the "beautification projects" may be less than many hoped, and the bright new tram awnings a private contractor built for the governorate may have fallen on people's heads, but for the man in the street "Mahgoub tries his best," which is far more than they are used to.
After hearing so much about Mahgoub, who came from the top echelons of the Intelligence Agency, I was expecting a moustache and a booming voice: personal features that spell authority in capital letters. Instead, I find a small, frail figure, dwarfed by the majestic proportions of his room and vast desk, behind which he juggles with a couple of telephones. Mahgoub speaks softly, to the point of sweetness. It is totally disarming. But there should be no doubt. Behind the large watery eyes and within the slight body hunched over the desk, there is a man of real toughness.
I start out with general questions regarding the city. Mahgoub answers a totally different one. "Yes. The Alexandria Library. The building, that is, was entered into an international competition in London and came out first. But we are not interested in the Library becoming a mere storage house for books. We want to invoke the spirit of the old library and for it to become a centre which emanates learning on a global scale," he tells me, smiling affably.
I can ask all I want. But in the end I will get only the answers he wants to give.
But then, to be fair, it is true that the opening of the Alexandria Library has become the driving force behind every plan and idea in the city. "The city started preparing itself three years ago. (The opening of the Library is scheduled for 23 April 2002). Everything in the city is being rehabilitated: bridges and roads - everything to make Alexandria a proud face of Egypt and put the city once again on the international map," Mahgoub explains, as he fumbles for a cigarette. With his eyes on the lighter, he adds, "I do not like to talk about my achievements but if you go back to your archives I am sure you will find it full of information and the projects we have undertaken." Totally disarming.
But wait, all these bridges, roads and growth, are they not at the expense of the heritage and character of the city? "We are the only governorate that has completed a comprehensive survey of all the buildings that are exceptional and are considered a component of the city's heritage. Copies have been given to all the relevant ministries as well as the Council of Ministers," counters Mahgoub.
But buildings are coming down all the time and the city is rife with tales of wrecking. "That is not true. Buildings are brought down, of course, but these are not on the 'heritage list.' For a house to be demolished it must receive a permit and there are regulations regarding what can be brought down. For example, it must be empty and very old. There are specialised committees which include not only government officials but also professors from the Faculty of Architecture that review each case." And do these committees meet regularly? "But of course!"
I am dissatisfied and he knows it. "Look. It is prohibited for people to just tear down buildings at random and, of course, this creates a problem. I mean, what if you want to sell your villa because you need the money? That is why the state is currently studying alternatives by which to compensate the owners of buildings we do not want torn down. You see, we have to be practical. If we do not come up with practical solutions people will want to find loopholes in the law."
A practical man always. But is it not that realism that creates the opportunity for people to take advantage of the system? I mean, after all why in Alexandria, of all governorates, are businessmen suddenly so willing to pay to clean squares and plant trees?
"The businessman loves his country and in Alexandria they became convinced that such donations and contributions to society were not only for the benefit of their people but also in their own interest and the interest of their business. When we make the city better we bring in more tourists which is good for the man selling peanuts on the street and the big businessmen as well. They became convinced." And what convinced them of what seems to be basic logic? "It is the solid Egyptian spirit. It is a giving spirit which has a strong sense of belonging and duty. Also, people needed to have trust that the money they gave would actually go where it was said it was going. They now have that trust."
Mahgoub is fumbling with another cigarette but he is not going to get off the hook. When businessmen perform their "civic duty," is it not possible that they trample public rights? Take the case of the attempt by the governorate to rent the Waterfalls Public Park to a businessman last year, a contract overruled in court. Mahgoub shrugs. I press on. What is the dividing line between businessmen making "contributions" to society and taking advantage of the system at the expense of the public? "The dividing line is the preservation of these things we are talking about. A businessman is going to spend money. He is making an investment and he needs to get a return. Public rights will not be violated because every case is subjected to study on multiple levels: local councils, executive bodies and sometimes the courts. If all these agree, then we must rest assured that public rights are intact."
I counter with the situation on the beaches where cheesy cafeterias seem to dominate every space. "We rent out 60 per cent of every beach and leave the remaining 40 per cent for public use. Our aim is to service the average citizen. But citizens come in different classes and levels and the upkeep of public beaches requires a lot of money."
Sherif, the Weekly photographer, cannot contain himself. He snapped, "But I tried to enter a public section of the beach last year only to find it controlled by a mafia of divers and tea boys." Mahgoub explains patiently. "I cannot stop all violations. However, I can make use of our mistakes. To address the problem you have just brought up, this year I have appointed retired army and police generals to monitor the public areas to make sure no such violations take place." Then Mahgoub sighs and confides that, "as long as their are people there will be mistakes. That is why there is a Heaven and Hell, is it not?"
Maybe. But in spite of human frailty, Mahgoub has hopes of a better future, or at least a more commercial one. "Alexandria is home to 40 per cent of the nation's industry and we have successfully drawn 50 per cent of the petroleum industry here. Our plan in the next three years is to increase that 50 per cent to 85 per cent. There is great potential to draw investment here, which of course also draws more people, an added responsibility we are working hard to keep up with. We have plans to upgrade the port. Today we receive two million summer vacationers, a number we plan to increase in the coming years to five million. Think. Two million each spending LE5 per day. That means 900 million every summer. Where does all the money go?" Good question. Where does it go? "It goes into workers' pockets. It feeds into the machine that keeps us all going."
And what does he hope to see at the end of the line? "I want to see an Alexandria which is the most beautiful city of the Mediterranean, because it truly can be and we have started on the road that will get her there. No one should ever forget that Alexandria is a one-of-a-kind city. And I am talking globally."
Connecting old and new: the Stanley Bay bridge, which became functional this month, emulates the old Montazah bridge in design and is a component of the new expanded corniche project
photos: Sherif Sonbol
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