The completion of work on the project to protect the western region of Greater Tunis against flooding was announced on Monday at a ceremony held in Cité Ezzouhour, one of the working-class districts concerned by the project. The project, which aims to minimise the risk of flood damage and improve flood control infrastructure in Greater Tunis, was financed by a Japanese concessionary loan of 6.808 billion yen (the equivalent of 150 million dinars), according to a press release issued by JICA. Benefiting 670,000 inhabitants, the project covers a highly urbanised area of the capital, including Manouba, Ibn Sina, Ksar Said, Bortal Haidar, Zahrouni, Bardo and the neighbouring districts of Sebkhet Sijoumi as well as Ezzouhour 3, 4 and 5. A new canal has been built between Sebkhet Sijoumi and Oued Meliane as part of this project, with a view to limiting the risk of flooding and reducing the annual water level in Sebkhet Sijoumi. The surrounding areas are known to be highly prone to flooding, causing damage to homes. The project will therefore help to improve the quality of the environment, and in particular the quality of life of citizens in the above-mentioned areas, according to JICA. At the project's closing ceremony, the Minister of Public Works and Housing, Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri, as reported by JICA, said that Japan remains "an essential partner" for her department, because of its support for development. For his part, Japan's ambassador to Tunisia, Osuga Takeshi, stressed that the western area of Greater Tunis "will be able to withstand torrential rains" thanks to the newly built and widened drainage channels. "Having a long history and experience in combating water-related natural disasters, Japan will continue to cooperate in Tunisia's sustainable development in this field", he added. For his part, Ueno Shuhei, JICA's Resident Representative in Tunisia, said that the completion of these works marks a very important stage in the strategy to protect Greater Tunis against flooding, expressing the hope that this project will improve the quality of life of the people of the Tunis-West area and combat flooding.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse