Egypt's Deputy Housing Minister Sayed Ismail met Sunday with a World Bank delegation to review progress on a $600 million rural sanitation programme aimed at expanding access to wastewater services across six Nile Delta governorates. The second phase of the Sustainable Rural Sanitation Services Programme (SRSSP-2), co-financed by the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), is being implemented in Menoufia, Damietta, Gharbia, Sharqia, Dakahlia, and Beheira. The programme targets underserved villages and hamlets, aiming to upgrade infrastructure, improve service quality, and enhance the operational efficiency of local utilities. "The results we've seen so far would not have been possible without strong coordination and continuous support among all stakeholders," Ismail said, highlighting that the programme's first phase—funded with $550 million—was completed on time and met its objectives. During site visits to treatment plants in Menoufia and Damietta, the World Bank delegation praised construction progress and the capacity of local firms to manage investments. One facility in Tala in Menoufia Governorate processes 6,000 cubic metres per day, while another in Nasriya, Damietta handles 10,000 cubic metres per day. World Bank mission head Heba Yaken commended improvements in execution, financing, and procurement. She said the programme is on track to deliver its targets, and the mission is seeing strong performance from the implementing companies. The team also reviewed environmental and community health activities and held discussions on sludge management—a top priority for the Housing Ministry due to its environmental and economic impact. The mission also lauded recent sector reforms in Egypt, including the national water strategy and new water law, saying they provide a solid framework for sustaining progress. Ismail reiterated Egypt's commitment to boosting private sector involvement, particularly in localising production of water infrastructure components, and described the partnership with the World Bank as "strategic for the future of Egypt's water and sanitation services." Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
