Ramallah - Head of the Water Authority, Eng. Mazen Ghoneim, opened today the water link for Birin, the remote area between Yatta and Bani Na'im, which was devoid of any source of water before the water authority works to extend the link to the area to deliver water to the people by implementing internal network funded by “Action Against Hunger Foundation” and support their steadfastness in front of Israeli attempts to extend its control over the territory of the region.

Eng.Ghoneim stressed that the Water Authority supports and strengthen the people in different regions and communities and works hard to provide water for our children who are entitled to enjoy this right as any child of the world as water is a human right first and national right to the basis of life and contributes to supporting people in their steadfastness and their right to their land.

Minister Ghoneim's visit included inspecting the rehabilitation work of well 11 located in Tekoa in Bethlehem governorate, which supplied water to Bethlehem and Hebron Governorates. He also reviewed the work of the new pump in the well, which stopped working due to fluctuation in electricity. He also briefed on maintenance work in Bait Fajar well which will be completed during the coming week. Consequently, with the return of the two wells to work, the Bethlehem and Hebron governorates will witness an improvement in the quantities of water.

During the tour of the wells, Minister Ghoneim and the staff of the Water Authority went to the water line, which witnessed an attack by placing illegal links leading to theft of water quantities and lack of access to citizens. Eng.Ghonaim denounced these irresponsible acts which are now a real danger to the water sector. stressing that the Water Authority will pursue all aggressors and will work to hold them accountable in cooperation with the security and judicial authorities, calling on citizens to assume their responsibilities towards this sector by informing of any violations they get to preserve this vital sector first and their right to water.

Eng.Ghoneim went also to the site of Bani Naim fill link which is the new location that the water authority worked to extend the water link serving people of Reeve and Masafer Yatta to meet the needs of citizens to access water faster rather than the old link.

Minister Ghoneim concluded his tour with a visit to Bani Na'im Municipality where he met with the mayor and the staff of the municipality. He reviewed the water situation in the town, which improved after the water authority links Bani Naim on the water system and provide them with a share of water from Halhoul tank after wells were the only source of the town.

During the meeting, the head of the Water Authority instructed the technical staff to follow up the situation in Bani Naim and work to develop the appropriate mechanisms to ensure that the water situation improves in accordance with the possibilities that ensure fair distribution of water to all the communities.