CAIRO - Although acting in a caretaker capacity, Prime Minister Essam Sharaf's Government has started to behave as if it were a permanent government, by extending its activity to more than just the missions of defusing tensions, restoring stability to society and working on salvaging the economy to head off State bankruptcy. What has been really appreciated is seeing Minister of Agriculture Ayman Abul Hadid, for example, launch an initiative to solve one of Egypt's biggest agricultural problems by achieving self-sufficiency in wheat within two years. The man, who had once headed the governmental Agricultural Research Institute, when he was appointed in an executive post, brought his scientific approach to resolve many cultivation crises in the simplest possible way. Abul Hadid and other members of the Sharaf Cabinet know well that they are facing a real challenge in accepting a ministerial portfolio at such a critical stage in Egypt's history. In addition to the deteriorating conditions in most sectors, there are demonstrations and labour strikes being organised here and there pushing for pay rises or a change of administration. However, we still hear these ministers talking about future projects and the means of implementing them as if the country were not passing through a severe economic crisis. Apparently, they heavily rely on the enthusiasm of the public and their hope of having a better future. This is what Sharaf might have had in mind while announcing his adoption of the giant development project of the noted scientist Farouq el-Baz. After two decades of studying Egypt's desert, the world–famous geologist came up with the stunning idea of creating a long corridor extending from the Mediterranean coast in the north of Egypt to the lowest point in its south, parallel to the Nile Valley, which he called ‘the development corridor'. In this corridor, he suggested creating some industrial, agricultural, housing and educational projects, according to the available natural resources in each region and to have this corridor be connected to the Nile Valley via some 11 to 12 horizontal axes that could also accommodate many projects on their sides. The significance of the idea is not limited to its being created on strong scientific bases, together with an economic feasibility study carried out for the project, but also on having this corridor connected to the Nile Valley. It is estimated to cost some $24 billion, One of the main causes for the failure of many development projects launched during the past four to five decades in the country is that they were implemented in a remote isolated area such as that of Toshka, on the deep south of Egypt's deserts. This has discouraged Egyptians, who are known for their strong connection to their birthplace and the Nile Valley, from joining them. Another key obstacle to this project, namely financing, has also been eased by the suggestion of creating a public subscription to finance this giant project. Apparently, this project could be the main locomotive that could drive development in Egypt within one or two decades at the most. However, we can accelerate the project's achievement of some immediate gains if we link it to solving some economic and social problems presently facing the country such as the shanty towns that have spread like a cancerous growth in different parts of the big cities including the sprawling capital. Most inhabitants of the shantytowns are uneducated citizens who possess no skills or potential enabling them to move from the margins of society to the heart of its working force. For this reason, we should start conducting a precise census of shantytown residents to establish their numbers, age groups and any craft skills they might possess. Accordingly, some training programmes could be launched to involve those citizens, especially those of working age, in acquiring some industrial and agricultural skills as a step towards employing them in the projects to be created along this corridor. Some people have called for raising funds from the rich to create alternative towns to house those who inhabit shantytowns in order to demolish such ugly communities that mar the image of Egypt. However, moving this human mass from one site to another, without offering them the means to become respectable working citizens, would mean moving their uncivilised manners and behaviour with them to the new location, which would eventually end up in turning into a new black spot of criminals. Tempting these people with a real chance of living as respectable citizens, enjoying rights and having responsibilities and duties, would encourage those citizens to give up their old life-style and merge into the new working community. Similarly, the suggested public subscription would be more fruitful and credible to low-income citizens if certain specific projects were to be created within the framework of this giant venture. The Government could then announce offering shares of these projects to citizens to purchase with a limited allocation to each shareholder to ensure that the project will not be monopolised by a single investor. In the same vein, the Government could raise the required funds for the project and, at the same time, enable citizens to realise profits from their shares. This strategy would teach the Egyptians to have savings and well invest them in good profitable projects instead of depending on their low governmental salaries. Some might even be convinced to give up their governmental jobs in the big cities and move to the new promising areas to have better living conditions and work. Hopefully, el-Baz's project could be Egypt's key to development, especially if it were coupled with the creation of some scientific educational centres within the development corridor and its axes. This project should be acknowledged by all State authorities as Egypt's long-term strategy for development, so that successive governments and presidents would be committed to its implementation. Dear readers are invited to contribute their comments, views and questions via 111-115 Ramsis St., Cairo or e-mail: ([email protected])
