The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation announced today the removal of 6,995 encroachments on the Nile River, out of a total of approximately 50,399 cases targeted by the national campaign to save the Nile, which was launched by former Prime Minister Engineer Ibrahim Mahlab and Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Dr. Hossam Maghazi on January 5th.
In a statement titled “Nile Rescue Counter,” the ministry stated that the Nile Protection Sector removed 12 encroachments on the Nile River in the governorates of Kafr El-Sheikh, Minya, Sohag, and Luxor today.
The Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation said that “inspection teams in all governorates continue to detect and address violations, and we are determined to implement the state’s plan to remove all encroachments on the Nile River, canals, and waterways, no matter the cost.”
He explained that “the encroachment removal campaign includes all areas and governorates along the Nile River, canals, and waterways, from the far north to the far south, and includes all large and small cases without exception.” He called on all violators to prioritize the interests of the nation and take the initiative to remove the encroachments themselves rather than face legal consequences.
He added that “a hotline, 15116, has been established to receive complaints about encroachments on the Nile River, and the penalties for those who encroach on the river will be increased. Furthermore, all licenses for new institutions and facilities located on the river will be reviewed to ensure compliance with the requirements set by the ministry to maintain the license, and all illegal fish cages will be removed in coordination with the relevant authorities.”
He revealed that more than 18,000 encroachments on canals and drains have been removed, noting that the ministry is undertaking a qualitative improvement of water quality, starting from Aswan in the south and including all governorates.
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, several ministers, officials, and public figures signed the Nile Document, which includes a commitment to preserve the river and protect it from pollution and encroachments. The Grand Imam, Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb, also signed the document, and it is expected that more than 30 million citizens will participate in signing it.
The document states that “in light of the fierce attacks on the Nile River, the lifeline of the Egyptians, and in respect for the Egyptian constitution, which we have all sworn to uphold, and which stipulates the state’s commitment to protect the Nile River and preserve Egypt’s historical rights related to it, and to rationalize and maximize its use and prevent the waste or pollution of its waters, and also affirms the right of every citizen to enjoy the Nile River and prohibits encroachment on its banks, therefore, I declare my participation in the Nile Guardians Committee to protect the river from encroachment, and I will play a popular monitoring role, following the affairs of the Nile, and participate in raising awareness among citizens within the national campaign to protect the river, and I swear not to pollute or encroach upon it.”