Minister Ghanem conducts an inspection visit to CMWU, the southern desalination plant, and Nuseirat reservoir, and announces an agreement with the World Bank to reactivate the water systems improvement program.
Praising Its Efforts and Qualitative Services
Minister Ghanem Conducts an Inspection Visit to CMWU and Some of Its Projects
CMWU – Gaza Strip
His Excellency Minister Mazen Ghanem, Chairman of the Water Authority, conducted a visit to CMWU and a number of water projects implemented in partnership with the Water Authority and with support from some donor institutions, with the tour including CMWU's main headquarters in Al-Zahra city, as well as the Central seawater desalination plant for the southern areas, as well as the new water reservoir in Nuseirat camp, central Gaza Strip, funded by the American Agency for International Development, as part of his inspection of the progress of work at the Utility, and to closely learn about the developments of some projects underway in partnership with the Palestinian Water Authority.
The Minister and his accompanying delegation were received by Dr. Majed Awni Abu Ramadan, Chairman of CMWU's Board of Directors, Eng. Monther Issa Shoblaq, the Utility's Director-General, and CMWU's department directors, with Dr. Majed Awni Abu Ramadan welcoming Minister Ghanem and his accompanying delegation, expressing his sincere thanks to Minister Ghanem for his support to CMWU to enable it to improve its performance and services provided to the residents of the Gaza Strip, as well as his tireless efforts to develop the water and sanitation sector in Palestine in general, and in the Gaza Strip in particular, and his continuous pursuit to upgrade the Utility's performance and its projects.
Eng. Monther Shoblaq also expressed his great appreciation for this generous visit, which comes as part of the great interest the Water Authority attaches to following up on the progress of work on the Utility's projects and supporting its plans and advancing its services.
In turn, Minister Ghanem thanked the Utility's Board of Directors, represented by Board Chairman Dr. Majed Awni Abu Ramadan, and also thanked all the workers at the Utility, led by Director-General Eng. Monther Shoblaq and all the Utility's crews across their various specializations, who work tirelessly and under all circumstances to carry out their duty and provide the best services to their people.
During the meeting of the two delegations, Minister Ghanem announced that the Water Authority had reached an agreement with the World Bank to resume work on the Water and Sewerage Systems Improvement Project (WSSSIP) and prepare for the Water Security and Development Program (WSDP) project, expected to launch its activities during 2018, aiming to develop the institutional structure of water service providers in Palestine in general and CMWU in particular, and the necessity for the Water Authority and the Utility to work with a team spirit to successfully complete the funded projects, given that the World Bank is one of the important partner donor institutions in the water sector.
At the end of the meeting, Minister Ghanem affirmed that the Water Authority will spare no effort in continuing to work to complete all the projects that would improve the water and sanitation situation in the Gaza Strip, particularly the central desalination plant, in cooperation and partnership with the Utility and with support from numerous international and donor bodies, as it is also racing against time to implement a series of ambitious strategic projects aiming to reduce the depletion of the groundwater aquifer and strengthen water sources, and improve the water and sanitation situation in the Gaza Strip.
