Haya Karima: 182 markets, 163 fire stations, 140 car parks established in villages at cost of LE 1.8 bln

CAIRO – 13 April 2022: Egyptian Minister of Local Development, Major General Mahmoud Shaarawy, received a report Wednesday on the latest developments in the implementation of the Egyptian rural development program within the presidential initiative “Haya Karima”.

The Minister of Local Development indicated that the projects of the first phase of the Egyptian Rural Development Program within the presidential initiative “Haya Karima” are going well and in accordance with the implementation plans established thanks to the follow-up of President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and the direct supervision of Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, and ongoing coordination between all ministries and other stakeholders.

“The Egyptian state is moving at a steady pace on its way to implementing all the services required for our children in the villages of the Egyptian countryside,” said Sharaawy.

There are about 1,500 villages in Egypt, with the population of one village in Egypt can reach over 18 million citizens.

The report, which was hosted by the Minister of Local Development, reviewed the implementation situation and preparations for the operation of government service complexes in each local village unit, with a total of 332 complexes currently under construction and each complex includes a developed technology center.

The Minister of Local Development explained that these complexes represent a significant change in the nature and level of local service delivery to citizens, as services will be provided through a window and these complexes are connected to the centers, governments and the new administrative capital in a possible way to take advantage of the state strategy for digital transformation and to guarantee transparency, governance and fast completion of government transactions for the citizens.

Shaarawy reviewed some of the local administration projects and the ministry’s efforts under the presidential initiative, including markets, parking lots and fire stations, which amount to about 523 projects, noting that the planned projects include raising 182 markets, 163 fire stations. 140 car parks, in addition to the two ferry beds at Qena Governor in the Waqf Center at a total cost of 1.8 billion in 20 provinces.

The Minister of Local Development confirmed that coordination has been made with governments to undertake the implementation of local administration projects in accordance with the deadline approved by the cabinet, which will end during 2022 and the advances have already been transferred to governments with a total of 40, 440 million for immediate contracting with enforcement agencies.

Shaarawy said that coordination has been made with the Ministry of Irrigation to take advantage of the canals and waterways that were covered to place some market projects and parking lots.

Sharawy added that parking lots, markets and fire stations will contribute to the creation of temporary employment opportunities during the construction phases and will allow the employment of a large group of small contractors, as well as the creation of permanent employment opportunities after operation , either directly or indirectly through activities related to these services.

The Minister of Local Development emphasized that the market and parking projects mainly aim at eliminating random market places and stops in villages, improving the civilized appearance and providing suitable places that enable small traders and taxi drivers to exercise their activity.

Major General Mahmoud Sharawy indicated that the ministry had completed securing all land required for the projects with a total of 5,500 plots of land and handing them over to the implementing authorities in record time.

The Minister of Local Development confirmed that, following the instructions of the President of the Republic, the Ministry has cooperated with the Urban Planning Authority and the implementing agencies for the modernization of urban properties and to ensure that all existing rural communities benefit from sewerage and drinking water services.

He further noted that the ministry continues to support small and micro projects through the program “Your project.”