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Future Steps: Highlights

There are steady development efforts, plans and studies under consideration such as:

o A study is underway to save Esna temple from collapse due to the rise in the level of underground water beneath the temple after building the new Esna canal in 1993. As a result, humidity rate rises in the rocks of the temple in addition to some evident cracking on the outer layer that portrays the drawings and inscriptions.

The governor confirmed that studies are taking two directions: the first, is concerned with adopting immediate measures to save the temple and reduce the level of the inside underground water, and injecting the ground with chemical substances to maintain the foundations; the second direction, on the other hand, includes the temple dismantlement and its reinstatement after raising the temple ground to the level of the surrounding grounds, following the example of Feyala temple in Aswan, removing all residential facilities adjacent to the temple, and redeveloping and beautifying the surrounding area.

o The development of Dandara temple is currently underway.

o Coordination continues between the governorate and the Ministry of Culture to complete the tourist development projects in Qena, notably the two temples of Essna and Dandara, the preparation of specialized technical reports about the state of Shanhour temple, and the project of constructing a five stars hotel.

o A museum is being built on an area of five feddans.

o A comprehensive file is being developed about EI-Dabayba region, as one of the most important geological regions world-wide.

Development through community participation

Agriculture

Integrated solid waste management

the governor is currently considering an idea to set up a company by the name "Qena Great Company for Development" to function as a partnership vehicle between the governorate and the citizens in implementing sustainable developmental projects. The company will provide sound foundations for project administration and mangement, devise mechanisms to plan and execute projects in collaboration with citizens in all aspects of development: industry, agriculture, tourism, construction, trade and service.

o The governorate is considering a great agricultural project with a view to reclaiming desert areas and providing water necessary for their irrigation by means of lifting pumps. The governorate will give loans and land plots to Qena youth to encourage them to work in this project, and will build accommodations for them and their families.

o Planning is underway to reclaim half a million cultivable feddans in the area of Al-Laqeeta Valley between Al-Qusayar and the Red Sea and the area of Qena valley through the use of the underground reservoir; the amount and potentials of which are to be estimated in collaboration with the University of South Valley.

the governorate embarked on a project financed by the German Bank for Re-construction (KFW) to complete and improve the various processes of integrated solid waste management. The governorate is also studying the best means for safe riddance from all types of solid wastes, capitalizing on the high level of environmental awareness reached by the governorate's citizens, a matter that would facilitate acceptance of source sorting of solid wastes.

Will Qena Experience Sustain and Continue?

Yes, the experience can sustain and continue by generating social capital in the form of trust, commitment, participation, belongingness and relying on many key inputs the most important of which are:

- Providing new information on genuine needs and priorities;

- Consolidating confidence in the government through realizing tangible improvement in services;

-  Objective assessment of the findings and results in order to rectify mistakes once they occur;

-  Citizens participation should continue in all stages of planning, implementing and evaluating the development process, which makes them feel like the owners of the realized achievements, in a way that renders such achievements sustainable. Hence, it is possible that the success of the experience may continue through adopting the key strategy that will generate information, create trust in the government and consequently the ability to mobilize financial and human resources required for development to take place.

Is it Possible to Replicate Qena's Experience?     

Yes, Qena experience can be replicated for evidence of similar successful cases are witnessed in some other governorates. It can be concluded that Qena developmental efforts are steady and that there exists a laborious need to achieve more development and growth. The efforts already done have affected a developmental breakthrough in a brief time, however the developmental action does not necessarily bear its fruits on the short run. Rather, the current generation saw the seeds, and fruits are expected to be reaped by generations to come. There are still several pivots that need intensive work on the long run, the most important of which may be the efforts to improve the quality of education, health standards and the economic activity in the governorate. Such efforts will undoubtedly have their effects on improving the quality of citizens' lives in Qena, and promoting the image of Qena and consequently the image of Egypt.