President Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening ceremony of a sewage system and a water pipeline which will supply the city of Shabran with drinking water.

First, the head of state met with representatives of the district public at the “Gurtulush” park.

Saluting the ceremony participants, President Ilham Aliyev said:

- I sincerely congratulate you on this wonderful event. This is a really great and historic event. We are celebrating the supply of water to the city of Shabran, and I want to say again that this event is of great importance. Drinking water is the most important factor for human health. I am very glad that water and sanitation projects are implemented in all regions of the country now. In some places these projects have already been completed, while in others they are still under way. In the next two to three years, water projects will be implemented in every town and city across the country.

This is a historic project. It is of historic significance because water problems have been causing people difficulties for centuries. There has always been a shortage of water. Various projects have been implemented at different periods. But then their capacity could not meet our needs. After all, the country is developing and the population is growing. Now Azerbaijan has a population of 9.4 million people, and as our needs grow we certainly have to start new projects, and we do that. This process has become very widespread in the city of Baku and in other cities. Water and sewage projects are implemented in every city.

Public health is the main priority! Various comprehensive measures are taken to improve public health. First of all, attention is paid to the supply of drinking water. In addition, this drinking water meets the standards of the World Health Organization, i.e. it is clean and of high-quality. Medical care is, of course, very important, and this issue is also being addressed. There are environmental measures, sports and other factors. But drinking water is in the first place. We will see the benefits of this project. The future generations will also see them. I am very pleased that this project is fully ready in Shabran. Water and sanitation projects are being commissioned. Of course, such projects demonstrate the capabilities of our country. The independent state of Azerbaijan is capable of implementing such projects. We have been independent for a little more than 20 years. The fruits of our independence are seen to every citizen of Azerbaijan. Our fate is in our own hands. We are doing and will continue to do everything necessary for our country and people.

Other large projects are implemented in Shabran District as well. I can say that the Takhtakorpu water reservoir project is one of the largest projects in the country and in the non-oil sector. Today we celebrated the opening of the Valvalachay-Takhtakorpu water utility. Work has already begun to supply water to the Takhtakorpu Lake. This is also a gigantic project of national proportions. It will cover an area of 180,000 hectares. The irrigation of 180,000 hectares will be organized at a high level, while an area of 30,000 hectares will be supplied with water again. In other words, this will give an impetus to the development of agriculture and farming. This will develop the non-oil sector of the country. Our domestic needs will be met on the basis of self-sufficiency. All of these issues are interrelated. The Takhtakorpu water reservoir, the hydroelectric power station and canals are ambitious infrastructure projects. Only strong states can implement such projects. Azerbaijan is implementing ambitious projects. On the one hand, this certainly demonstrates the strength of our country, and on the other it reflects our public policy. These projects are implemented in the interests of people’s comfort. These are the projects the investment in which will not be recovered by the state. They are only intended to create better conditions for people and expand business opportunities. In the coming months, the water level in the Takhtakorpu water reservoir will be fully ensured and this ambitious project will be completed. This project will serve us for decades and centuries to come.

This morning we also celebrated the commissioning of a rural road. This is also a very important project. Now the road to the Zeyva village meets modern standards, which also demonstrates our intention. The construction of rural roads has become widespread in the country, including Shabran District. People living in the villages must be able to use normal facilities. Rural roads are an important issue for the comfort of the people of each district.

The events we are celebrating in one day in Shabran show how comprehensively our country is developing. Both social and infrastructure projects are being implemented, the city is being landscaped and new parks established. I am also very pleased and welcome that. There should be public places everywhere, in every city - parks, gardens, alleys, etc., so that our people could use them. Such work is also carried out in Shabran. There is a great need for the construction of a local history museum here in the future because Shabran is an ancient settlement. Archaeological excavations have been carried out here. This is a land with ancient history, and a local history museum must be set up here. Appropriate instructions have been given.

Today we celebrate this great event together with you, and I congratulate you on this occasion.

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Then President Ilham Aliyev watched a video clip and stands describing the measures being taken in Shabran as part of the second national project on water supply and sanitation services.

The Chairman of the "Land Reclamation and Water Economy" Open Joint Stock Company, Ahmad Ahmadzadeh, informed the head of state that the second Baku water pipeline was envisaged as a source for the supply of 29,659 residents of the Shabran District center with drinking water. 

To this end, there are plans to lay a 134,800-meter water and a 122,700-meter sewage lines, build a water treatment plant with a capacity of 100 cubic meters together with a pump station, a water reservoir with a capacity of 2,000 cubic meters together with a pump station, reservoirs with a capacity of 700 and 1,000 cubic meters, as well as a pump station for wastewater and a water treatment plant with a capacity equivalent to 29,000 people.

It was indicated that in accordance with the agreement signed between the French company SADE and the Azerbaijani company RAMKO in December 2010, the restoration and construction of the water supply and sewage systems in the Shabran District center has begun. To date, 145,879 meters of water lines and 129, 356 linear meters of sewer lines have been laid and a total of 5,766 homes have been connected to the sewage system.

It was noted that the construction of a regulating reservoir with a capacity of 100 cubic meters, water reservoirs for 700, 1,000 and 2,000 cubic meters and a pump station for wastewater has been completed to supply water to the city population. In order to replace the water treatment plant with a capacity of equivalent to 29,000 people with a more sophisticated unit, the project has been modified. The construction of the facility is ongoing. Thanks to the implementation of the project, the city of Shabran will be supplied with 180 liters of water per capita a day and a continuous supply of drinking water ensured.

The head of state was informed in detail about the advanced technologies, equipment and materials used in the construction of the water and sewage systems. It was noted that micro-tunnel drilling and other state-of-the-art techniques were used in the course of the project. In general, as part of the second national project on water and sewage services, the "Land Reclamation and Water Economy" Open Joint Stock Company is working in eight districts of the republic - Shabran, Siyazan, Agsu, Ismayilli, Lerik, Yardimli, Masalli and Jalilabad.

President Ilham Aliyev launched the facility symbolizing the supply of drinking water to the district center through a new line.

In conclusion, a photo was taken as a souvenir.

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On the occasion of the opening of the Shabran water supply and sewage system, the "Gurtulush" park has been set up in the district.

After the ceremony, President Ilham Aliyev reviewed the park.

This park has been set up on an area of one hectare in accordance with an original design. It is expected to become a popular center of recreation for the local population. The fountain and the lighting system built here are also beautiful. The park has been landscaped and suitable conditions created for meaningful rest of all age groups.