A number of projects have been put on hold due to lack of funding, despite the efforts and determination of the Ministry of Environment to implement projects in various areas, including improving the quality of daily life for citizens, leadership and support," Minister of Environment, Leila Chikhaoui told a plenary session Wednesday. Chikhaoui stressed that the ministry's budget is a modest 1% of the national budget, amounting to TND 450 million. Responding to questions from MPs about the Ministry of Environment's limited presence in various regions, she acknowledged that the National Agency for Environmental Protection (ANPE) only has six local offices, citing financial constraints as the main obstacle to further recruitment. Chikhaoui highlighted ongoing efforts within a governance framework to modernise the ministry's organisational structure for greater efficiency. She emphasised the ministry's focus on addressing the day-to-day concerns of citizens, such as water evacuation and waste management. With regard to water quality, Chikhaoui reported the presence of 130 wastewater treatment plants, some 27 of which use triple purification processes to produce water suitable for agricultural and industrial use. Aware of the country's water shortage, she stressed the ministry's commitment to intensifying this technique. She pointed to a recent decree issued on November 10, 2023, in coordination with the Ministries of Agriculture and Health, which promotes the reuse of wastewater in agriculture in all governorates as a strategy to combat climate change. In the area of waste management, Chikhaoui reiterated the importance of effective governance and citizen participation. She recognised the valuable experience of informal waste pickers in sorting waste, and suggested the creation of private companies to protect and secure jobs in this area. The Ministry is actively working on regulatory measures for waste sorting, she noted. Regarding controlled landfills, Chikhaoui said that 32 inspectors from the Coastal Protec tion and Development Agency (APAL) have carried out some 2,600 inspections. The issue of waste management has been studied in depth by the National Security Council throughout 2022, whose findings have been submitted to the President. In fact, the issue was included in the National Strategy for Ecological Transition, which comprises 53 measures, including Measure 31 on the National Strategy for Comprehensive and Sectoral Circular Waste Management. During the parliamentary session, MPs approved the 2024 state budget for the Ministry of Environment, which totals TND 459.4 million, an increase of 10.8% compared to 2023. The Speaker of Parliament and members of parliament visited an exhibition organised by the Ministry of Environment, which presented its programmes, projects and affiliated public institutions. The exhibition also featured the "Eco-Zit" waste oil management system and a pilot project for the collection, transport and treatment of waste electrical and electronic equipment. Source: Agence Tun is Afrique Presse