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The
North West Coast and Inland Development
Project
Required Mine Clearance in Development Priority
Areas
One of the key constraints that face development in the North West Coast of Egypt and hamper the realization of aspired development goals is the presence of mines as World War II residues. The location of the huge amounts of mines and UXOs, especially near the main urban settlements and potential development areas (Alamein, Dabaa, Matruh, Sallum) not only impedes development efforts, but also causes continuous threat to local inhabitants. According to the Military Forces, about 700 persons were killed, and more than 7,600 were injured because of landmines accidents. Several incidents were also recorded in unregistered landmine areas.
In spite of the great efforts exerted by the Egyptian Military Forces since 1983, in minesweeping-infected areas, there are still 16.7 million mines and UXOs spread in areas exceeding 248,000 hectares. Based on the Military Forces estimates, the cost of disinfecting the remaining areas is around US $ 250 million.
It is estimated that about 73% of the remaining mines are concentrated in Alamein and its southern extension to Qattara Depression. The amount of land mines and UXOs in this area is estimated to be 12.3 million spread over 147,100 hectares.
Mines also exist in relatively limited amounts in Ras El-Hekma/Matruh (about 1.34 million). However, they are more spread over an area of 55,200 hectares, with harmful effects on the inhabitants of Matruh city and suburbs, which are the main urban agglomerates and densely populated areas in the governorate.
Mines also exist in Barrani/Sallum area, located at the western boundaries of Egypt. This area ranks second in number of mines and UXOs (over 3 million), on an area of 44,770 hectares. Furthermore, small numbers of mines and UXOs exist in East Alamein on an estimated area of 1200 hectares.
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRATEGY AND PLAN
Based on the area’s surveys and resource analyses, three main coastal areas and one inland area were selected as economic priority catalysts for the NWCID:
A- Hammam/Alamein/Dabaa
B- Fuka/Matruh/Um El-Rakham
C- Barrani/Sallum
D- Siwa and Inland Oases
These areas, especially the first and second, are characterized by: (i) the existence of a population base (the four priority areas include 73% of Matruh’s total population), (ii) the availability of basic infrastructure and services that would facilitate the launching of development programs, and (iii) the relative proximity to main regional centers.
However, the comprehensive development of the three coastal areas requires huge efforts and investments for mines and UXOs clearance (see fig. 1).
Based on the development plan, a list of proposed projects is suggested to be implemented in the four priority areas, as well as in some other selected locations. The list includes details on the projects’ locations, costs, source of finance, job opportunities, and timeline for implementation. The following is a list of some of the proposed projects with a “donor’s participation” component.
Table (1):
Investment Cost of Priority Projects by Component (till 2012) . ( L.E. Million
) | | Components | Total Cost | Location/ Area | Project | | Demining | Development | | | | | | Enabling
Environment | | ü | 25 | 25 | Alamein / Matruh | Project
Development Facility (projects
formulation and feasibility studies) | | A. Agriculture and
Rangeland Management | | ü | 1150 | 1230 | Hammam to Dabaa 42,000 ha | Land Reclamation for Hammam Canal
& Extention | | ü | 360 | 360 | Hammam to Dabaa 57+50 km long | Canal
Infrastructure Development | | ü | 250 | 320 | Dabaa,Matruh,Barrani 21,000 ha | Improvement
of Rainfed Agriculture | | ü | 70 | 70 | Barrani, Hammam 4,200 ha | Medicinal
and Aromatic Plants Production | | ü | 40 | 40 | Dabaa,Matruh,Barrani 21,000 ha | Rangeland
Management in pilot areas | | ü | 10 | 11 | 15 km west of Matruh City | Rainwater
harvesting in Um ElRakhm (based on
similar experiences of MRMP and QRDP) | | | B. Industry | | ü | 250 | 375 | Alamein 25,000 ha | Land
Preparation & Infrastructure for Alamein Industrial Zone | | ü | 30 | 30 | Alamein 130 ha | Bentonite
Production | | -- | 30 | 30 | Coastal strip | Agro-industries | | | C. Tourism | | ü | 1843 | 1843 | 7 centers along the
coast | Tourism
resorts and centers on the coastal strip | |
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| | ü | 136 | 216 | Inland Oases &
desert 2800 km paths | Preparation
of Safari Paths (safe routes & lodging) | | | D. Environmental Protection | | ü | 24 | 39 | Omayed – Hammam 70,000 ha | Omayed Biosphere
Reserve Expansion | | ü | 1.1 | 1.1 | 10 locations along the
coast | Ground
Water Protection | | F. Housing & Urban
Development | | | ü | 2733 | 2833 | 8 Districts | Housing
Expansion (infrastructure
and landmine clearance components) | | ü | 400 | 410 | Alamein, Matruh 220 ha | New
Urban Settlements (2) | | ü | 50 | 57 | South Matruh
City 53 ha | Academy
for Environmental/Desert Studies (affiliated
to an existing center - DRI or AUC) | | H. Social Services & Local
Community Development | | | ü | 5 | 85 | Small/remote Bedouin
settlements | Mine
Clearance/ Awareness Programs (Bedouin
Settlements in Mine Infected and Suspected Areas) | | -- | 10 | 10 | | Micro-Credit
Program supporting small businesses (Using
experience from Alex. Business Assoc.) | | -- | 10 | 10 | Priority Areas | Vocational
Training Centers (Services, construction, tourism,..) | | -- | 5 | 5 | 10 remote Bedouin
settlements | Development
of Handicrafts and skills (for
indigenous population, focusing on women) | |
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