Ammon News -
Prime Minister, Bisher Khasawneh, on Monday visited the northern governorates of Mafraq and Jerash, as part of his field visits to the Kingdom's governorates that aim to check on citizens needs and improve their livelihood.
Accompanied by a ministerial team, Khasawneh held two separate meetings with a number of leading figures and representatives from both governorates, and voiced the government's commitment to provide the best services to citizens in all areas of the Kingdom and to find solutions to challenges and problems they face, pointing out that improving the living conditions of the Jordanian citizen is the King's top priority.
The Prime Minister said that the Covid-19 pandemic was added to a number of challenges that Jordan already faces over the past decade as a result of regional crises.
He pointed out that the current crisis between Russia and Ukraine has impacted the supply chains for basic commodities, especially wheat, barley and vegetable oils, as it led to a steady and rapid rise in oil prices.
Khasawneh added that prices of oil derivatives were kept unchanged in the past two months and in this month and the next month, taking into account the living conditions of citizens during the holy month of Ramadan, before gradually returning to reflect international prices on the prices of oil derivatives.
He pointed out that the amount of money the treasury has lost as a result of keeping prices of oil derivatives unchanged in March and April amounted to about JD80 million, and about JD52 million in the previous two months, stressing that these government interventions were not governed by profit and loss factors.
He underlined that prices of basic commodities in Jordan are low compared to neighboring countries due to the strategic view and the wisdom of His Majesty the King, which included establishing years ago containers to store wheat and barley, which spared Jordan such repercussions.
The Prime Minister stressed that, thanks to the wisdom of His Majesty King Abdullah and his continuous follow-up on providing and storing basic commodities, Jordan has maintained safe levels of foodstuff to deal with the repercussions of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.
The Premier directed Ministers of Industry, Trade and Supply and Interior, to tighten control over markets and not to tolerate any increasing prices that would impact the citizen’s livelihood.
The Prime Minister also reaffirmed that Jordan has endured great pressure, with regard to the Palestinian cause, thanks to the determination of its wise Hashemite leadership, and stressed that the attempts to liquidate the Palestinian cause were broken by the solid will and principles of His Majesty King Abdullah and the Jordanian people.
Khasawneh said that Jordan paid the price for committing to the legitimate right of the Palestinian people to self-determination through the establishment of its independent, sovereign, and viable state on the pre-June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Khasawneh also pointed out that Jordan has faced attempts to tamper with its constitutional foundations during the past year, and was able to overcome them with the wisdom and prudence of His Majesty the King in dealing with challenges and this tampering and the spirit of adventure of some.
The Prime Minister urged Jordanians to participate effectively in the upcoming governorates and municipal council elections, to contribute to national and development decision-making.
He added that the government is working seriously to enhance the partnership between the public and private sectors, pointing out that without this partnership. "We won't be able to face the unemployment challenge without this partnership."
"The government will soon launch a national employment program, for which JD70 million has been allocated," the Prime Minster announced.
He also stressed that the electricity tariff that will be applied next month won't affect more than 90% of citizens, and will stimulate productive sectors and enhance their competitiveness.
The Prime Minister stressed that His Majesty King Abdullah is leading a comprehensive renaissance reform project, politically, economically and administratively, as the Kingdom enters its second centennial, voicing the government's commitment to the outcomes of the economic workshop at the Royal Hashemite Court.
Speaking to a meeting with a number of leading figures and representatives from Mafraq Governorate at Al al-Bayt University, the Prime Minister said that Mafraq has been the most hard-hit Governorate over the past years due to the influx of Syrian refugees.
He added that Mafraq enjoys many promising opportunities and a development zone, to which the government seeks to attract more investments.
He further added that Mafraq owns a rich stock of tourist antiquities, which calls for placing the Governorate on the tourism map.
The Prime Minister instructed to rehabilitate the Intensive Care and Emergency Departments at Mafraq Hospital, and to supply it with its need of specialized practitioners and the necessary equipment.
He noted that the construction of earth dams and water harvesting will be expanded in a way that contributes to supporting agriculture in the governorate, as he promised to study improving many of the main roads in the governorate that link the Kingdom with a number of neighboring countries.
He pointed out that the government is working to implement an agricultural plan that increases the contribution of the agricultural sector to the gross domestic product, and provides jobs in many areas of the Kingdom.
He stressed that the government will refer a new investment bill to the Lower House of Parliament next month. "This bill would make a quantum leap in the field of investment and stimulate the investment environment".
Mafraq's leading figures and representatives briefed the Prime Minister on their key demands, which include supporting service and development sectors, channeling investments to the governorate and supporting big, small and medium enterprises that provide jobs for young people as well as supporting sectors of infrastructure, roads, agriculture and health.
Speaking to a meeting with a number of leading figures and representatives from Jerash Governorate, the Prime Minister said that the governorate is full of creative people in small and pioneering productive projects. "We will take all necessary measures to enable and support them through government funds."
He pointed out that Jerash Governorate houses many creative, innovative and successful self-projects. "We are committed to empowering and supporting them to contribute to employment and provide jobs for the people of the area".
The Prime Minister announced that the government will take mitigating measures to resume medical tourism in Jordan.
He added the government will rehabilitate the industrial city in Jerash, and transform it into an industrial and agricultural city, pointing out that this issue is being seriously discussed in consultation between the government and the local community in Jerash.
He noted that the establishment of a Faculty of Tourism and Archeology in Jerash affiliated with Al-Balqa Applied University will be completed, and JD5 million will be allocated to start the project, and it will be ready to receive students within two years.
Regarding the Social Security Investment Fund (SSIF), Khasawneh emphasized that SSIF's assets belong to the Jordanians, and the SSIF invests in their belongings, stressing that they are safe and arn't subject to risk or adventure.
The Prime Minister affirmed the government's seriousness in combating all forms of financial and administrative corruption, urging officials to take prudent and sound decisions without hesitation or fear of being arbitrarily accused of corruption.
The Premier announced the government will implement several construction and maintenance projects required for roads across Jerash, and has allocated millions for these projects.
Also, he reaffirmed the government's support for the Jerash Festival and its expansion to become a cultural identity, a window for Jordanian creators to express their creativity, and an economic enabler for the people of Jerash and the Kingdom.
Jerash's leading figures and representatives briefed the Prime Minister on their key demands, which include supporting service and development sectors, channeling investments to the governorate and supporting big, small and medium enterprises that provide jobs for young people as well as supporting sectors of tourism, infrastructure, roads, education, agriculture and health.
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