Speech opening Cairo Wastewater plant

Prime Minister, Your Excellencies, Wastewater is not a glamorous subject. You don't find many references to it in poetry or literature—though in fact one of our greatest poets, John Milton, wrote of “…   . houses thick and sewers which annoy the air” . And that of course is the nub of the problem. Drainage and sewerage are of critical importance to the health and well-being of people, and to their environment. Your government wisely understood this and decided in the early 1970s that Cairo's wastewater system had to be expanded and modernised. [end p1] That was the origin of this great project. Now, after many years of planning we are beginning to see the results of that wise decision. When complete the project will be a great benefit to Cairo. The improvements will be seen in the reduction of water borne diseases and in the increased cleanliness of your rivers, including that precious resource the Nile.

The project is also a remarkable example of international co-operation. The governments of Egypt, the United Kingdom and the United States are all investing [end p2] heavily in these huge new works. For the United Kingdom, I am proud to say, this is one of our biggest overseas development commitments as well as being, I believe, the biggest waste water project being undertaken anywhere in the world.

The co-operation is not just between governments: the private sector is also well represented. Egyptian and British consultants are both taking part and several consortia of Egyptian and British companies have been formed. [end p3] I am impressed by what I have heard of the close relationship which has been forged between the Egyptian firms and their British partners. It augurs well both for the success of the venture and our future commercial relations. I am glad that representatives of all the firms concerned are here with us today and extend to them my congratulations.

Britain's engineers were pioneers of modern urban sewerage systems and remain at the forefront of modern waste water technology. I find that they had a hand in establishing Cairo's present system earlier this century. [end p4] The first scheme was designed by a British engineer, Mr Carkeet James, to cater for an expected population of nearly a million in 1932. His system, with some extension and expansion, is the one operating today. Surely he would have been delighted, as am I, that it is British engineering and British financial skills that are once again playing an important role.

Today's ceremony marks the beginning of major and complex engineering works and we—the British Government, the British people, and [end p5] British engineers and businessmen—are proud to be associated with it. The work will continue for many years but when it is accomplished we shall all be able to look back with satisfaction on today, in the knowledge that a vital health and social need has been met, as a result of co-operation between Britain and Egypt.