Tunisia pushes to clear obstacles, speed up Saïda dam construction

Tunisian authorities are prioritizing the rapid completion of the Saïda dam, a strategic hydraulic project in the La Manouba governorate. Kamel Meddeb, who manages the General Directorate of Dams and Major Hydraulic Works, urged the removal of obstacles hindering the construction. He emphasized the urgent need for essential stones to finalize the dam's main structures, a step crucial for maintaining the planned work pace and securing drinking water for beneficiary regions.

The Saïda dam is designed with a storage capacity of approximately 45 million cubic meters. Its primary goal is to bolster the water transfer system from the north and ensure a stable supply of potable water to the Greater Tunis, Cap Bon, Sahel, and Sfax governorates. The recent site visit allowed officials to assess progress and pinpoint key challenges.

The most significant impediment identified is the inadequate supply of stones required for the dam's major infrastructure. In response, Meddeb announced an upcoming working meeting involving relevant administrations and structures. The objective is to devise concrete solutions for ensuring the availability of construction materials, particularly stones, thereby enabling work to resume at the required pace and completing this vital project promptly. This initiative aligns with the follow-up on decisions from a June 20 ministerial council meeting concerning development projects across the country's governorates.

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This stage is essential to ensure the continuation of work at the planned pace and strengthen the security of drinking water supply for the beneficiary regions.