Minister of Water Resources, Taha Derbal, emphasized Algeria’s resilience to climate change during a working visit to Biskra province yesterday. The Minister inspected several ongoing projects within the water sector.
In the provincial capital, Minister Derbal laid the foundation stone for a 5,000 cubic meter water reservoir in the northern urban expansion zone. According to the provincial Director of Water Resources, Obeid Faradi, this project aims to increase the volume of packaged water available to residents of new urban communities.
At El Kantara, the Minister inspected a 3,000 cubic meter water reservoir project, reporting a 58 percent completion rate. He then monitored the irrigation network works within the palm oases of the region, stressing the project’s importance in preserving palm trees as a valuable local resource.
During a visit to the “El Ikhwa Idriss” cinema hall, the Minister received two presentations. The first, presented by the local Director of the sector, detailed the state of the water resources sector in the province. The second, presented by Abdel Latif Azira, Director General of the National Agency for Dams and Transfers, focused on a study to transfer drinking water from the Beni Haroun Dam (Mila) to Biskra province.
Following the presentations, Minister Derbal stated that “Algeria, like other countries, is not immune to the impact of climate change, but it is not in danger thanks to its capabilities, material and technical qualifications, and the political will that believes in the importance of water resources.”
In Ain Zaatout, the Minister inspected the construction of a 1,200-meter exploratory well, part of a project to improve the water supply to residents. The project is currently 60 percent complete.
Minister Derbal emphasized the need to accelerate the completion of water sector projects, adhere to quality standards, and adopt sustainable solutions to address the effects of climate change. He stressed the importance of foresight in planning and control in management to ensure the sustainability of water resources and achieve balanced development. The Minister also highlighted the sector’s strategy to diversify water resources between traditional sources, such as dams and wells, and non-traditional sources, such as desalination and reuse of treated water, with a focus on smart irrigation techniques, especially in agricultural areas.
DZWatch News will continue to provide updates on this developing story.
