In an address at a ceremony for the opening of the strategic plant, the president of the Republic said the facility is a "great achievement reflecting victorious Algeria's will of steel, with its valiant children, inspired by the spirit of the glorious Revolution of November" to face the different challenges and "overcome difficulties and obstacles."

The president of the Republic commended, "with deference, all those who have contributed to the construction of this mega-plant, from the most ordinary worker to managers and executives," to address water issue through this investment momentum and the major companies that illustrate the progress of Algeria, such as Sonatrach and Cosider."

"When I said Algeria was a powerhouse, it really is today."

The president of the Republic also stressed "the challenge met by the workers, managers and executives who have been working 24/7."

"They were up to the challenge," he stressed, noting that the facility "uses modern technology allowing Algeria to reach a high-level mastery of seawater desalination techniques and technologies, which will also benefit sister countries and other peoples."

The achievement is the first of a "series of five desalination plants, to be inaugurated over the next few days," the president of the Republic said, adding that "whenever the opportunity arises to build a (seawater desalination) plant, we will do it, and we have the required material and human resources."

The president of the Republic expressed a wish that the plant "starts production as soon as possible."

Saying that he is honoured to inaugurate this "great achievement," which has been a real "challenge," the president of the Republic stressed that "everybody knows that the Algerian people, men and women, "are up to the challenge and do not give up in the face of difficulties," adding that he, as well as the Algerian people, are proud that this mega project have been carried out in 26 months only, which "is indeed a miracle."

The president of the Republic underlined the "difficulties" that faced Algeria when drilling deep wells after independence, as well as the "slow pace" of several projects, such as the stadium of Tizi-Ouzou (105 km east of Algiers), a project carried out in 13 years and which could only be completed with the will and contribution of people who managed to found the appropriate solutions and put an end to the squandering of public funds.

Algeria today "has moved beyond this stage, completing projects with the necessary speed and the appropriate technology," the president said.