Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hani Sewilam, met with members of parliament to review requests for irrigation and drainage infrastructure projects in the governorates of Qena and Giza, the ministry said.
Sewilam met with House of Representatives member Fathy Qandil and Senate member Mohamed El-Badawy as part of regular consultations aimed at addressing local water-related concerns and improving services.
The minister said requests submitted by citizens through their parliamentary representatives would be examined in accordance with the relevant laws, regulations and technical requirements.
He also highlighted the role lawmakers can play in coordinating with ministry officials, farmers and water user associations to promote water conservation, encourage compliance with irrigation schedules and support the cleaning of privately managed irrigation channels.
Among the requests discussed was a proposal to construct a bridge over the Al-Ghalasi Canal in Qena Governorate. Sewilam directed ministry officials to conduct a field inspection to assess the proposal.
The meeting also reviewed requests to replace or rehabilitate several bridges over irrigation canals and agricultural drains in Giza. Sewilam ordered technical assessments to determine whether the structures require replacement or maintenance.
In Qena, the minister instructed the Egyptian Public Authority for Drainage Projects to inspect sections of subsurface agricultural drainage networks following requests for their rehabilitation or replacement.
Lawmakers also raised a proposal to cover the Al-Libini Drain in Giza.
Sewilam cautioned that covering waterways could create technical and environmental challenges and stressed that such proposals should undergo careful technical assessment before any approval is granted.
He called for sustainable alternatives to prevent the dumping of waste into waterways, alongside greater public awareness of the importance of protecting canals and drains to ensure the efficient conveyance of water and maintain water quality.
