Egypt's water and sewage systems need around LE 1 bln pounds for upgrade

Egypt’s public companies for drinking water and sanitation need around LE960.4 million (roughly $122.7 million) to run maintenance work and salvage viable spare parts nationwide, state news agency MENA reported on Friday citing minister of housing.

Mostafa Madbouli’s announcement comes after heavy rain hit the country last month, drowning several cities and paralysing life in many areas in the northern Delta and Alexandria.

Madbouli added that LE344 million (roughly $44 million) would be allocated to companies over two years starting 2016 in order to upgrade an aging sewage sector which breaks down frequently.

Prime Minister Sherif Ismail announced in October the appropriation of LE75 million ($9.7 million) to fix the ailing rain drainage system in the Egyptian Mediterranean coastal governorate of Alexandria following heavy rains that caused accidents that left five dead, prompting the governor to resign .