With more than 90% of its territory being desert, Libya is one of the driest nations on the planet. The water source was a great problem for millions of citizens. A large reserve of water was accidentally found when oil companies were searching for petroleum. It became a great relief and Muammar Gaddafi embark on putting it into use without any delay.
(Pipeline routes)
Source of Water and Construction
The Great Man-Made River was the largest irrigation system in the world, and it was a system of pipelines that brought high-quality fresh water from ancient underground aquifers deep in the Sahara to the coast of Libya for domestic use, agriculture, and industry.
(Gaddafi showing African leaders the project during its launch)
There are four significant subterranean basins. There are 950,000 square kilometers in the Kufra basin. More than 73,000 square kilometers of water are thought to be stored in the 600-meter-deep aquifers.
The initial feasibility studies for the project were completed in 1974, and it is anticipated to take 55 years to complete. The idea was first conceptualized in the 1960s. Between the good fields in the south and the destination cities in the north, Phase I's 1,600 km twin pipeline could move 2 million cubic meters of water each day. Phase II involved bringing water of 3 million cubic meters to Tripoli, the nation's capital, and surrounding towns. Farmers were given free land, machinery, seeds, and fertilizers to grow food and keep livestock.
Cost
It was erected by Muammar Gaddafi for an astounding $25 billion without any financial support from powerful nations or loans from international financial institutions. He used oil sales revenues to finance the entire project. Its construction lasted for several years, going through numerous design and technical stages. Most of the materials used were locally manufactured and a small portion was imported from North Korea. Local companies were contracted in almost all niches of the scheme while at the same time limiting foreign workers.
Destruction
Libya's water supply is in danger due to a significant issue. The damage to the buildings is what concerns me the most right now. The Hassawna system, which provides water to one-third of the nation, was the target of the most recent attack.
(Irrigation project)
More than 70% of the construction was accomplished by the time the rebellion against Gaddafi got underway in early 2011.
(Water flowing in the desert)
However, because of the chaos brought on by the civil war, the project and its web of infrastructure were severely strained and vandalized. It became a weapon of war as antagonistic factions cut water supply to their enemies. This came to be the genesis of the threat to the bulk of Libya's 6.3 million residents access to water.
However, on July 22, 2011, NATO aircraft targeted the Brega pipeline manufacturing facility. According to NATO, forces supporting Gaddafi had utilized the structure as a military storage facility. The project, which was meant to help Libya develop sustainable agriculture and become water self-sufficient, has been permanently suspended and put out of service due to the Libyan crisis.
(The warehouse that was bombed by NATO)
Current State of the Project
The GMR was in danger due to power outages and fuel shortages. The workings are in danger due to a scarcity of chemicals and spare parts.
It is incredibly challenging to make lasting repairs amid the ongoing bloodshed and political and economic disarray that permeate Libya.
(Destroyed waterpipe)
Seawater intrusion contaminates coastal aquifers. Old desalination plants require maintenance. As long as the conflict goes on, no new ones will be constructed. The nation currently imports the majority of its food after irrigation that was beginning to take shape collapsed.
N/B: This article was compiled and published by Yator Enock from Kapkimolwa, Bomet County.
Content created and supplied by: yator.enock.kipkorir (via Opera News )
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