Engineer's Experience in Algeria: Challenges and Struggles

In 2004, I was offered a position as a petroleum construction engineer in Algeria, one of the countries in North Africa. Algeria is located between Morocco to the west, Tunisia and Libya to the east, and borders Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Western Sahara to the south. It also has a coastline along the Mediterranean Sea. The Algerian people are known for their hospitality and warmth, and they treated me with great kindness.

The Beginning and Initial Challenges

I traveled to Algeria from Cairo, with a flight that took around four hours, landing at Houari Boumediene Airport. I was warmly welcomed by the staff of the Italian company "Serabia," which was a subsidiary of "ABB." This marked the beginning of my journey to the city of Biskra, also known as the "Gateway to the Desert." After arriving at Biskra Airport, I was met by a company representative who took me to the camp where I would stay. I was then scheduled to meet the project manager, Mr. Nanini.

During that period, Algeria was facing significant challenges due to terrorism, and the Algerian government was fighting against it with all its might. However, this did not hinder my readiness to begin work and contribute to a project that required building five pumping stations to transport crude oil from Hassi Messaoud to Skikda, on the Mediterranean coast.

The First Challenge: Design Errors

Upon arriving at the work site, I was given an office and began studying the engineering drawings for the project. I discovered several errors in the design, and I decided to bring them to the attention of the project manager. Mr. Nanini was shocked when I pointed out these errors, and he warned me that if I was wrong, it would be my last day on the job. After sending the drawings to the technical office for verification, I received a response within an hour confirming that all the issues I had pointed out were indeed errors that needed correction. Mr. Nanini apologized for the misunderstanding, and this was the first step in proving my competency and qualifications.

The Second Challenge: Lack of Skilled Labor and Equipment

One of the major challenges I faced was the shortage of skilled labor and the necessary equipment to carry out the work. I suggested that the company should carry out the work in-house instead of relying on external contractors, as the cost of hiring contractors would result in significant losses. The company agreed, and I collaborated with them to arrange for the purchase of the necessary equipment and the training of local Algerian workers who had no prior experience. We established a training school, and I personally trained the workers, which enabled us to complete the project quickly and with high quality.

The Third Challenge: Venomous Snakes

Venomous snakes, such as cobras and horned vipers (known locally as "Tresh"), were widespread in the area. These snakes posed a danger to everyone, from the highest managers to the lowest workers. We had to take extra precautions to protect ourselves from these threats.

The Fourth Challenge: Treating a Worker with Chronic Headaches

I encountered a medical issue when one of the workers was suffering from chronic headaches. Despite undergoing various treatments, he had not been cured. Since I had learned some therapeutic techniques during my youth, I decided to help him. I successfully treated him, and the next day, I was surprised to find many people—both men and women, old and young—waiting for me to provide them with the same treatment.

The Last Challenge That Led to My Departure

Due to my growing popularity and the affection people had for me, I received requests from some individuals asking me to engage in work outside of my engineering role, with financial compensation. This work, however, was something I could not disclose at the time. I refused the offers, explaining that I was an engineer and would not take part in any other kind of work. Eventually, my contract was terminated, and I returned to Cairo and then to Alexandria.

Summary of the Experience

My experience in Algeria was filled with challenges and difficulties, but it was also an opportunity to prove my skills as an engineer capable of solving major problems. I began by addressing design flaws, then trained local workers, and overcame environmental and health hazards. Despite the tough conditions, I was able to leave a positive impact on the project, both professionally and personally. Returning to Egypt was a difficult decision, but it marked the end of a rich and educational journey.