When Libyans marked the inauguration of former leader Muammar al-Qadhafi’s US$30 billion Great Man-made River in 1984, they never foresaw its fall to the self-proclaimed Islamic State.
According to Libyan Alwasat portal, which quoted sources from the river’s operators, the extremist group is now in control of the water pumping units in Sirte, Qadhafi’s hometown.
According to the website, a number of employees working in the project, which was labeled by Qadhafi as the “Eighth wonder of the world”, have left work out of fear of the militant group.
The river remains the world’s most enormous project for the transfer of fresh water. It carries nearly 6.5 million cubic meters for agricultural, industrial and personal use from the Libyan desert to populated areas. Authorities had dug 1,300 wells to secure water needed for the mega project through underground pipes.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
