The Man-Made River Authority is receiving the support of the government to implement various projects and improvements.
It is to maintain 147 idle wells in the Al-Hasawna region and implement the Ghadames-Zuwara-Zawia water supply project, which feeds more than 27 cities and regions. It will also monitor the production of the Sirir-Tazerbu-Benghazi water wells, through which productivity will be increased to 2 million cubic meters compared to the current maximum production of 1,100,000 cubic meters per day.
The news came after Tripoli-based Libyan Prime Minister, Abd Alhamid Aldabiba, met on Sunday with the Administrative Committee of the Man-Made River Authority, in the presence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Company for Water and Sanitation, and the head of the Agency for the Implementation of Housing and Utilities Projects (HIB).
The Libyan government reported that the meeting was devoted to following up on the MMR’s plans regarding the maintenance and the implementation of the water supply projects.
The MMR reported that in the meeting, it reported ”the extent of the suffering to which the MMR systems are exposed, and the urgent and necessary financial needs to increase water production and activate the stalled projects”.
The meeting also followed up on the security plan implemented by the Law Enforcement Department in coordination with the MMR, which both parties reported contributed greatly to limiting abuses and malfunctions in the water supply system.
At the end of the meeting, it was agreed to hold another meeting to present the MMR’s plan, in the presence of the relevant authorities, and to adopt the work plan for 2023.
Man-Made River used as a political tool since 2011
It will be recalled that the Man-Made River project, a Qaddafi-era project that pumps water from Libya’s deep south to the whole country, including its highly populated coastal settlements, had been used as a political tool by various disgruntled parties since the 2011 revolution.
The system has had hundreds of pumps, pipes and pumping stations sabotaged over the last 11 years costing the MMR and state millions of dollars, water shortages and hardships.
However, a political agreement between the polarised political authorities in Libya’s east and west in 2021 has seen sabotage diminish markedly.
Attorney General orders the arrest of suspects in Man-Made River pipes crimes (libyaherald.com)
Explosive device found at Man-Made River valve inspection shaft (libyaherald.com)
Politically motivated armed closure cuts MMR water supply | (libyaherald.com)
Man-Made River has remained out of politics and acted as a unifier: MMR chairman | (libyaherald.com)
130 wells sabotaged as Man-made River calls for provision of security | (libyaherald.com)
Armed guard to patrol Man-Made River | (libyaherald.com)
