Environment minister to inspect agro-waste mechanism in Sharqiya on Sunday

Outgoing Environment Minister Khaled Fahmy will inspect on Sunday the application of the new agro-waste mechanism in Sharqiya.

The minister has launched the mechanism in Sharqiya which is one of major governorates that burn rice straw and, hence, contribute to the black cloud

In August, the Environment Ministry has signed a deal with Orascom Telecom and Lafarge cement company to establish stations to turn agro-wastes into alternative fuel at 100 million EGP investments.

In statements to MENA Saturday the minister said he will carry out his duties until his last moment in office.

The minister cited the achievements he realized in several environmental files since assuming his post, like the new agro-waste mechanism, River Nile pollution, carcinogenic pesticides and industrial pollution.

The minister noted that by the end of 2015, the ministry will have finalize adjusting conditions of factories pouring their sewage into the river, adding that this was a key file upon which he worked.

Meanwhile, Fahmy noted that the ministry celebrated a few days ago the end of the second stage of the industrial pollution control project EPAP2.

Under the third stage of the project, the European Union (EU), the European Investment Bank, the German Reconstruction Bank (KFW), the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Egyptian government will bankroll industries across Egypt.

Also, technical and financial assistance will be offered for industrial facilities to adapt their conditions to environment laws and use alternative fuel to reduce solid wastes.

Also, funds will be allocated for reducing industrial pollution and improving environment conditions.