On Thursday, Germany’s Ambassador to Libya, Michael Ohnmacht toured the Great Man-Made River Authority, one of the world’s most significant water projects.
During the visit, the German Ambassador held talks with Nasser Boubatina, the Head of the Authority, focusing on securing water supplies and discussing the role of German firms in ongoing projects.
Describing the visit as an honour, Ohnmacht highlighted the essential role of the Great Man-Made River project in providing water supplies to the population.
During the meeting, Boubatina and his engineering team shared insights on the strategies being employed to secure water supply.
Ohnmacht discussed the continuing collaboration with German companies and how this partnership can be fortified in the future.
The visit underscores the international recognition of the Great Man-Made River project’s importance, and the global cooperation necessary for ensuring Libya’s water security.
Libya’s Great Man-Made River is a vast network of pipelines transporting water from the Sahara Desert’s aquifers, to the country’s northern region, where the majority of Libyans live. Conceived in the 1980’s, it’s considered one of the largest and most ambitious engineering projects in the world. It supplies fresh water for agriculture and daily use to cities, including Tripoli and Benghazi.
However, the project has faced numerous challenges. The system’s infrastructure has been targeted during conflicts, affecting the water supply to millions of people. Moreover, there are concerns about the long-term sustainability of extracting water from these non-renewable aquifers at the current rates.
Germany, a nation recognized for its advanced engineering and environmental technology, has been involved in various projects in Libya. Its companies have been collaborating with the Libyan authorities to enhance functionality and security. This cooperation reflects a broader international interest in supporting Libya’s infrastructure and stability.