Irrigation Minister Hossam Maghazy said Egypt is considering a study prepared by specialists to connect part of the Congo River to the Nile, adding that the ministry formed a committee to discuss the technical details of the proposal.
The measure took place at a conference titled “Coping with Water Scarcity and Challenges”, organized by the European Union in cooperation with the Ministry of Irrigation on Sunday.
“We will announce the details in due time,” he said.
Regarding Ethiopia's intention to build a new dam, Maghazy said the ministry is making sure of this through diplomatic channels to clarify the nature of the dam, its objective and its effects on Egypt.
“We are not against development,” he said. “But, we require prior notice.”
Two Chinese companies have signed a contract with the Ethiopian government to build a dam on the Geba tributary of the Baro Akobo river basin in southwestern Ethiopia at the cost of US$583 million, Anadolu Agency reported on Friday.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
