African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 591: Chapter 269: Issues in Water Conservancy Construction

Having finished arrangements concerning the South Ryukyu Islands, this matter can basically be wrapped up. As for whether Japan will go back on its word, this need not be a concern at this moment. East Africa has withdrawn ironclad ships and part of the fleet from the South Ryukyu Islands but has left behind a small fleet led by gunboats.

This fleet does not have strong attack capabilities, but it can still protect itself in the Western Pacific waters. Previously, the South Ryukyu Islands were surrounded due to a lack of coordinating vessels.

There are East African-deployed artillery batteries on the South Ryukyu Islands, but their range is limited, preventing offensive action or ensuring the safety of East African merchant ships. Now, with this small fleet, these concerns are no longer a worry.

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With the South Ryukyu Islands matter wrapped up, the vigorous water infrastructure development in East Africa has stirred another wave.

”Your Highness the Crown Prince, as our country undertakes large-scale water infrastructure projects, conditions in many regions have greatly improved, but this has also generated some new problems,” reported the Minister of Water Resources, Loire, to Ernst.

Ernst understood that there shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Human alteration of nature has both pros and cons, but overall, the benefits definitely outweigh the drawbacks. However, this does not mean small issues can be ignored; some things should still be taken seriously.

At the same time, Ernst is responsible for the overall direction, and it is necessary for subordinates to constantly report the progress of projects and any difficulties encountered.

So Ernst said, ”Feel free to discuss any issues.”

Loire continued, ”Firstly, some medium and large reservoir constructions might include residential settlement areas and agricultural land designated for redevelopment, leading to conflicts between the two. Thus, we must relocate people from the original land or replace the land that will be overtaken by the project with new land.”

This problem is actually quite understandable. East Africa engages in water infrastructure development mainly considering two aspects: providing convenience for East Africa to meet regional water needs, and more importantly, ensuring scientific and reasonable development.

As for how to scientifically and reasonably develop East Africa’s water resources, it is necessary to consider factors such as timing, geography, and harmony among people.

The terrain of East Africa is evident, so the priority for water infrastructure projects must be considering topography. Previously, East African immigration did not take this into account; many immigrants settled directly along water sources. Now, East Africa is modifying these water source areas, which will certainly affect the already settled people.

So Ernst thought for a moment and said, ”The projects must continue since most water infrastructure projects can continuously generate wealth for decades, even centuries. It’s better to correct things now while they are relatively easy to change, rather than leave the problems for future generations. We must aim for the long term and avoid being overly cautious. Of course, the public must also be properly arranged. We shouldn’t put ourselves at odds with the people because of national priorities, but rather coordinate well. With time, they will naturally understand the government’s thoughtful intention.”

”Your Highness, we naturally consider it this way. However, apart from this matter, there’s the opposite situation. Some regions originally uninhabited or undeveloped have become livable due to the water infrastructure projects. Should we not plan these areas uniformly and then populate them with immigrants?”

This involves the opposite aspect of East Africa’s water infrastructure development. This time, East Africa’s water infrastructure development is a top-down movement, not formed spontaneously by local residents or governments. Hence, many project sites were reasonably determined by water experts after extensive investigation throughout East Africa.

This includes some areas not yet developed or immigrated to, or previously unsuitable for immigration but naturally suitable for new water infrastructure due to other factors.

This resulted in some East African project sites being in ”no man’s land.” For example, there’s an area in East Africa lacking water, so it wasn’t developed earlier, but there’s a river nearby. And beside the river is a ravine, and once the water is diverted, the surroundings can become suitable for farming or other purposes, making the area suitable for habitation and agriculture.

Thinking of this, Ernst said, ”For now, let’s not worry about immigration but rather make plans after completing these constructions. It’s like hosting a feast; having more tables and chairs is beneficial and harmless for East Africa. Afterwards, more guests can be accommodated, and we can handle it even if guests do not arrive.”

Moreover, Ernst did not mention that the main workforce undertaking these East African projects is predominantly Black people, so projects without immediate effects mean ”sacrificing” more Black people is inconsequential, but Ernst had no need to express this.

Additionally, these projects won’t remain idle for long as East Africa’s population grows rapidly, naturally filling these areas modified by East African efforts later.

Ernst continued, ”Furthermore, immigration is a large project, especially the immigration caused by large-scale projects. This can pressure current East African administrative management, so you must balance it properly, not excessively radical. Resolve these issues when the government enjoys leisure in the future.”

The nationwide water infrastructure involves more than a million people; counting Black people, it’s several millions. This workload is quite demanding for the East African government.

Additionally, East African government’s affairs are substantial, including new industries, water infrastructure, port renovation, and the just-ended East Japan South Ryukyu Islands conflict, which has consumed much of East Africa’s focus.

With the end of the year approaching, coinciding with Christmas and New Year, many government departments are on holiday, and they must complete their work before the holiday, including end-year summaries, etc., providing significant pressure for the East African government. Now is not suitable for adding pressure to government personnel.

Loire said, ”Understood, Your Highness. Ultimately, the workload of the Ministry of Water Resources is too enormous, as this water infrastructure development affects nationwide, and our upper echelon’s casual directive concerns changes for over thirty million people, encompassing both cities and rural areas. Moreover, the water department is notably understaffed, making handling extremely challenging.”

In essence, East Africa’s steps this time were overly bold, directly involving two to three million critical population in a national water infrastructure project; having no issues would be peculiar.

Furthermore, water infrastructure is a specialized issue, and East Africa just lacks professional talent, so government departments find it quite strenuous to respond.

However, Ernst is quite satisfied with the work efficiency and capability of the government. East Africa is merely a new nation with less than ten years of history, including the colonial period, only a decade or so, and reaching this point, East African officials have essentially overcompleted their tasks.

Though Ernst is accustomed to this, other officials do not think likewise. Ernst in his previous life lived within a nationwide system where the country functioned like an individual; as long as overall stability is maintained, there’s no problem. Setbacks are normal; every nation faces issues, but a country’s health depends on crisis management capability.

Being a new country, East Africa hasn’t yet manifested many problems, and unless it suddenly collapses like the Soviet Union, East Africa remains a normal nation.