11 new governors sworn in Egypt

Cairo: Egyptian President Abdul Fattah Al Sissi Saturday swore in 11 new provincial governors in a shake-up amid public discontent about inefficient services in some parts of the 27-province country.

The new governors have been appointed for the cites of Alexandria, Suez, Port Saeed, Sharkia, Giza, Kafr Al Shaikh, Gharbia, Qaliubia, Beni Suef, Minya and Aswan, state television reported.

Al Sissi also swore in five deputies for ministers, according to the broadcaster.

Some of the replaced governors were only appointed in their posts in February as part of a provincial shake-up, which was the first to be carried out since Al Sissi took office in June 2014.

“Selection of the new governors has been based on ability to confront problems in the governorates, better utilising resources of these governorates and achieving citizens’ satisfaction,” said Minister of Local Development Ahmad Zaki Badr.

In October, some provinces, including Alexandria — Egypt’s second city — suffered torrential rains that caused deaths and massive havoc.

At the time footage appeared online and local TV stations showing houses and roads flooded with rain water.

Employees and students in the affected provinces were given days off to spare them the suffering of going to workplaces and schools.

Residents and social media activists blamed the situation on rickety drainage facilities and mismanagement.

Sharp criticism from the public and media prompted Alexandria’s then governor Hani Al Messiri to step down.