The official newspaper in Egypt published a decision by Minister of Transport Kamel El-Wazir, appointing Major General Hossam Mostafa, the head of the Roads and Bridges Authority, to carry out the duties of the Minister of Transport. The decision issued by Minister Kamel El-Wazir authorizes the head of the Roads and Bridges Authority to exercise the powers of the Minister of Transport as stipulated in Article 970 of the Civil Code.
MP Alaa Abed, chairman of the Transport and Communications Committee in the House of Representatives, interpreted the decision of Engineer Kamel El-Wazir, confirming that it is normal for any minister to delegate a head of an agency affiliated with the ministry to perform certain duties, as some laws limit certain powers to ministers, and sometimes the Prime Minister delegates some of his powers to ministers.
MP Alaa Abed stated: "The minister has the right to delegate a deputy or a head of an agency in certain matters, which is not a new practice; it has been done previously and is issued by a decision published in the official newspaper to avoid any future invalidity that may lead to administrative judicial proceedings, and this has become customary."
The chairman of the Transport Committee in the House of Representatives mentioned that the Minister of Transport might have delegated the head of the authority regarding compensation related to demolition decisions, and there are no other indications. He added: "The Prime Minister today has specific powers that, if issued by another official, would be invalid; thus, he is delegating another minister in those powers... This also applies to the minister."
He clarified that the matter carries no political significance regarding a ministerial reshuffle or a movement of governors.
