Alexandria Water Company Enhances Expertise in Crisis and Emergency Response: Delegation from the Ministry of Housing's "Crisis and Disaster Management Room" Visits the Company
In line with the directives of Eng. Randa El-Menshawy, Minister of Housing, Utilities, and New Urban Communities, and the instructions of Eng. Ahmed Omran, Deputy Minister of Housing for Utilities, regarding improving the efficiency of crisis and emergency management systems and enhancing the readiness of drinking water and wastewater facilities, and based on the directives of Eng. Mostafa El-Shimy, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Holding Company for Drinking Water and Wastewater, the Alexandria Water Company received a delegation from the Ministry of Housing, Utilities, and New Urban Communities' Crisis and Disaster Management Room and the New Urban Communities Authority. The field visit aimed to exchange expertise, learn from successful experiences, and strengthen cooperation and coordination among relevant entities.
The delegation was received by Eng. Sayed Rayan, Chairman and Managing Director of the Alexandria Drinking Water Company, in the presence of Dr. Amir Hegab, Vice Chairman of the Board for Administrative, Financial, and Commercial Affairs and Board Member, along with several company leaders, general managers, and a select group of operation and maintenance engineers and technicians.
The delegation was headed by Dr. Sameh Fahmy, General Supervisor of Crises and Disasters at the Ministry, and included several leaders and members of the main Crisis and Disaster Room, as well as a group of engineers, chemists, and officials responsible for operating and managing drinking water plants in new cities, and a select group of engineers and chemists from the Menoufia Drinking Water and Sanitation Company.
The visit included a comprehensive review of the operation and maintenance system at the Alexandria Drinking Water Company. A technical presentation was given covering operational mechanisms, maintenance programs, safety procedures, and emergency response plans, ensuring the maintenance of operational efficiency and sustainability, and the continuity of service delivery.
The company's crisis and emergency management system was also reviewed, along with its preparedness plans for various potential scenarios, the roles of work teams, and rapid coordination and intervention mechanisms. Examples of simulation exercises conducted regularly to enhance employee efficiency and readiness were also presented.
Engineer/Mr. Rayan emphasized that proactive preparation and continuous training are fundamental pillars for ensuring rapid response and crisis containment, maintaining the safety of employees and facilities, and ensuring the continued provision of efficient drinking water services. He noted that the company is committed to implementing the highest occupational safety and health standards and developing its crisis management system to meet operational requirements and the needs of citizens.
He added that exchanging expertise and conducting field visits provide valuable opportunities to learn from successful experiences and standardize concepts and procedures. He stressed that integration and coordination among various stakeholders directly contribute to raising the level of preparedness and strengthening the ability of drinking water facilities to address challenges and emergencies.
For his part, Dr. Amir Hegab, Vice Chairman of the Board for Administrative, Financial, and Commercial Affairs and a member of the Board of Directors, affirmed that exchanging expertise between entities and drinking water and wastewater companies is one of the most important pillars for improving performance and raising the efficiency of the work system. He pointed to the importance of benefiting from successful experiences and practices in various fields, especially those related to crisis and emergency management and the continuity of service provision.
He added that investing in human capital and raising employee efficiency are fundamental pillars for enhancing the company's readiness. He emphasized that cooperation and knowledge exchange contribute to unifying concepts and procedures, raising the level of coordination, and accelerating response to emergencies, which positively impacts performance efficiency and the quality of services provided to citizens.
Following the meeting, the delegation conducted a field visit to several sites of the Alexandria Drinking Water Company to learn about the operation and maintenance system firsthand, review emergency response procedures, and observe the mechanisms for maintaining service continuity and efficiency.
The delegation members commended the comprehensive procedures and plans presented in the areas of operation, maintenance, occupational safety and health, and crisis management. They emphasized the importance of continued exchange of expertise and experiences among the various entities, which supports the institutional work system and enhances the efficiency of facilities.
This visit underscores the Alexandria Water Company's commitment to developing its work system, improving the efficiency of its human resources, enhancing the readiness of its facilities, and establishing a culture of proactive preparedness and crisis management. This contributes to achieving the highest levels of safety and sustainability, and ensuring the continued provision of efficient and high-quality drinking water services to citizens.
