Damascus-SANA
Today, the Agriculture and Water Resources Committee in the People's Assembly discussed the performance of the work of the Ministry of Water Resources and the reality of irrigation and sanitation in various governorates.
A number of committee members demanded improving the irrigation and drinking water situation and expediting the repair, maintenance and replacement of the old and damaged irrigation networks as a result of the attacks of terrorist organizations, especially in the Idlib and Deir Ezzor regions, to facilitate the return of the people to their villages and the start of agricultural work, which is a strong tributary to the national economy.
A number of members stressed the need to develop laws and legislation related to the water situation, grant licenses to dig wells in water-poor areas, settle the conditions of unlicensed wells, and exempt farmers who were forced by circumstances to stop farming in liberated areas from fines for late payment of irrigation fees.
The members drew attention to the importance of following up work in constructing water reservoirs and dams, isolating dams and river courses, and treating river pollution near factories and restaurants, in addition to expanding drinking water networks. The institutions affiliated with the Ministry with manpower, especially from the fourth and fifth categories.
In response to the questions and interventions, the Minister of Water Resources, Dr. Tammam Raad, pointed out that there are advanced measures taken by the ministry to implement projects related to irrigation, drinking and sewage water by signing a number of contracts in various governorates for the maintenance of lines and networks and the establishment of reservoirs that provide water distribution over large geographical areas at a cost. Less money when compared to the construction of dams.
Minister Raad indicated that advanced stages have been reached in preparing the water bill, and that the process of licensing wells that conform to the conditions did not stop, explaining that work is currently underway to secure 76 engineering mechanisms for land reclamation and investment, expansion of irrigation networks and pumping stations and their maintenance, in addition to cooperation with the Ministry of Electricity to secure the electrical supply of wells. and pumps according to the available capabilities.
With regard to the Allouk water station in Al-Hasakah and the low level of the Euphrates River, Minister Raad explained that work in this regard is taking place at the level of the ministry and government in cooperation with relevant international organizations and the Iraqi side to find a radical solution to this problem.
