Egypt invests more than $59 billion on roads

Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli has announced that investments in the transport sector of about LE950 billion (USD59,7 billion), are being implemented.

Madbouli noted the money had been allocated as follows: A total of LE950 billion (USD59,7 billion) in roads, ports, river transportation, railways and the metro. Of this, LE424 billion (USD26.6) was granted to complete projects while LE526 billion (USD33.07 billion) was allocated to projects in development over the next three years.

This included the development of 7,000 kilometres of roads that have been implemented by all sectors of the state

The Prime Minister also reviewed the country's strategy for developing the transport sector and raising the efficiency of roads.

According to Madbouly, Egypt has the second best roads in Africa - and is placed 28th globally, up from 118th place previously.

The reason for this remarkable transformation, according the Madbouly, is the extensive road programme the government has implemented over the past six years. This has had the additional bonus of reducing vehicular fatalities by 47% and reducing accidents by 36% overall.

“I want to recall, in memory, the shape of the roads in Egypt, the infrastructure, and the world’s ranking of Egypt in this very important service,” he said when launching a new phase of Cairo's metro system.

Madbouly revelled that 7,115 people died in traffic accidents due to poor road quality in 2011, according to data from the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics.

Investments in the road sector totaled LE950 billion (USD59,7 billion) in roads, ports, river transportation, railways and the metro, he said, of which LE424 billion (USD26.6) was granted to complete projects while LE526 billion (USD33.07 billion) was allocated to projects in development over the next three years.