Egypt's irrigation minister inspects rainy-season readiness in Sharqia

Water Resources Minister Hani Sweilam toured emergency centers in Sharqia governorate on Friday to assess the water system's readiness for the rainy and flash-flood season.

Sweilam visited the Eastern Valley and Zagazig drainage emergency centers and inspected their preparedness.
He met farmers on the Abu al-Akhdar canal to discuss the past summer season's outcomes and their requests.
Sweilam directed the immediate execution of an encroachment-removal decision on the Eastern Valley canal, where filling had impaired water flow.
He ordered the suspension of the Mechanical and Electricity Authority's merit bonuses in Sharqia pending an inquiry into selection fairness.
Sweilam examined a complaint from electrician Fawzy Abdel Wahid, a 26-year site employee, over unpaid bonuses and incentives.
He stressed that bonuses must correspond to real work and directed assigning a staff member to receive and follow up workers' complaints.
Sweilam directed the hiring of retired workers to bolster staffing in Sharqia's water system.