Africa-Press – Angola. The Republic of Angola will welcome the experience of Egypt for the construction of hydraulic infrastructures, to mitigate the effects of the drought in the southern region of the country.
These are the regions that are cyclically affected by drought, with emphasis on the provinces of Cuando Cubango, Cunene, Huíla, Benguela.
According to the Minister of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges, who signed, this Wednesday, on behalf of the Angolan Government, the Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of Egypt, for technical assistance on groundwater , referred that the Arab country has experience in this field of construction of engineering works linked to hydraulic infrastructures.
On the Egyptian side, the document was signed by the minister of Foreign Relations of Egypt, Sameh Shoukry.
As an example, João Baptista Borges recalled that Egypt has the Nile River as its only water resource, but practices irrigation agriculture and has a successful water supply system.
Since Angola already cooperates with Egypt in the field of electricity, namely in the field of training and carrying out works, the Memorandum of Understanding reinforces cooperation, according to the Angolan official.
This time, Angola decided to embrace hydraulic works in the water supply, seeking the experience that Egypt has in the construction of infrastructures, in addition to training and transmission of knowledge to Angolan technicians.
“We are expanding the water supply infrastructure, not only in the cities but also in the construction of infrastructures to combat drought”, he asserted.
João Baptista Borges considers it important that the technicians are trained and Egypt will, naturally, provide technical assistance, based on the signed Memorandum.
According to the person in charge, the national technicians have already participated in training actions carried out by Egypt, with technicians sent to the Arab country.
“Basically, this Memorandum seals the commitment that already exists today”, he underlined, maintaining that the intention is to expand into the area of construction of hydraulic infrastructure, bringing the knowledge of Egyptian companies.
“We have a program in the country to combat the effects of the drought and this could be better resolved if we seek the experience of Egypt, which faces problems like ours”, he justified.
The agreement will cover the southern part of the country, with the use of groundwater and surface water.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding was witnessed by the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, and his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who paid a 48-hour visit to the country, as part of a tour he is undertaking in some African countries.
The relations of political-diplomatic cooperation and friendship between Angola and Egypt were formalized on February 18, 1976. Since then, relations have always been characterized as excellent, with a high level of cooperation in bilateral and multilateral matters.
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