The colourful landscaping and new corniche are just part of a once-maligned southern governorate's successful renaissance story. Reem Nafie talks to Qena Governor Adel Labib Most visitors to Qena, a governorate nearly 400 kilometres south of Cairo, are impressed. Those who have never been there before marvel at the clean streets and shiny newness of everything around them. Those familiar with the area's poverty-stricken, underdeveloped, and even criminal reputation are amazed. Qena Governor Adel Labib, who was appointed four years ago, credits both an empowered police force and intense civic participation, for the governorate's successful revival. The densely planted agricultural lands outside Qena city made the area -- renowned for its lax police presence -- a haven for outlaws. Labib said criminal elements "controlled the outskirts of the city, using what little resources the city had to offer, while appropriating land from longtime residents." Vowing to "civilise" Qena, Labib began reinforcing the police force. "We asked for backup from neighbouring governorates, and the existing forces were given incentives to work harder for Qena," he said. Despite the modesty of the pay raise, Labib said, "it still helped a lot towards boosting the police's morale." The governor then turned his attention to raising the morale of Qena residents. Labib and high-ranking police officials took active roles in resolving family feuds. By 2002, outlaws hiding in Qena's fields were being turned in by residents, tempted by the incentive -- even if minimal, Labib admitted -- of being recognised for helping out. 2002 was also the year Labib hit on the idea of applying for an ISO 14001 certificate. He had been looking for a way to "include all unemployed citizens in a project that would help create job opportunities, while encouraging people to maintain the progress they had made on their own at the same time." To get ISO 14001 certified, Qena needed an effective waste management plan, as well as vast green areas, paved roads, and a complete re-painting of residences and government offices. It took Qena residents 18 months of hard work "to turn the governorate into what it is today," Labib said. All the roads -- from the main streets to the hidden alleys -- were paved. A bridge connecting Qena to neighbouring governorates was built. A tall granite statue of a woman holding a "Welcome to Qena" sign went up. And gardens full of roses, tall trees and grassy spots appeared everywhere. The new waste management plan involved "jobless citizens being paid LE200 a month to ensure that the streets were kept clean," Labib explained. Even in the blazing southern heat, janitors dressed in orange jumpsuits swept the streets. Trash collectors began picking up garbage from people's residences, instead of from the large, usually overflowing and unseemly, trash cans that used to be in front of buildings. Labib encouraged others to participate in the beautification plans as well. Students from Qena University's Faculty of Fine Arts decorated bridges and designed fountains for circles and squares. By late 2003, most of Qena's residences and major government offices had been re- painted. When the ISO 14001 committee came to inspect the changes, the city was spotless. On 24 March 2004, Qena became the first Arab city to obtain the ISO 14001. Less than a month later, in April 2004 Qena applied for and won the Mohamed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Award for Arab Management. Labib was given $25,000 for transforming Qena into a "modern city"; he chose to donate the money to the governorate, "so it could be used for other development activities". The city's facelift also included a new Nile corniche featuring 80,000 metres of river view promenades, restaurants and other entertainment facilities. Along with the new public parks, it has become a focal point for a virtual transformation of Qena's society. From a city with nearly no avenues for outings, whose residents usually chose to entertain at home, these days public meeting places for families and friends are plentiful, helping to change residents' attitudes towards going out. "Families now meet and talk together, and children have time to play with others outside of school. This is something very new for us here," Labib said. Having always wanted women to play a larger role in southern society, the governor is also proud of another major development. In today's Qena, "women work more, go out more and participate in society a great deal." By hiring more women in the governorate itself, and providing them with incentives similar to those given to men, Labib helped catalyse the change. A "girls centre" -- equipped with a gym, swimming pool, sauna, basketball and volleyball courts, dining room, and billiards tables -- was also built. "Men are not allowed in, and only single women can become members, so that young girls feel free to swim and wear whatever they want without men staring at them." Labib said. Young girls, he added, should not be burdened with the "troubles of those who are married. I want this place to remain a trouble-free resort for girls." He also funded a girls' football team -- an idea initially criticised by residents who opposed the idea of girls wearing shorts and playing football. "But once people got used to it, they started encouraging their own girls to participate in more sports." Labib said the team had "competed in international championships and ranked even better than the men's teams". Labib is convinced that the changes in Qena are beyond skin deep. "People have recognised the change and are willing to work towards preserving it," he said. On the ground floor of the governorate building, a committee including representatives from every governorate department has been available to address residents' needs on a day-to-day basis. "The committee is concerned with people's needs and I personally see to it that all the problems that we can solve are taken into consideration," Labib said. LE300 fines have also been introduced for anyone "plucking a flower, throwing litter in the streets or attempting to destroy any of the accomplishments that have been made". When he first started strictly applying Qena's new cleanliness rules, Labib said, "horror stories began circulating claiming I beat people up in the streets." Labib laughed the rumour off, convinced people would soon "find out the truth". For Labib, that means, "no change is easy -- but if you put your mind to it, it will happen, slowly but surely."
