‘Jordan eyes further cooperation with Millennium Challenge Corporation’

AMMAN — Planning and International Cooperation Minister Imad Fakhoury met on Wednesday with US Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) CEO Dana J. Hyde and her accompanying delegation in the presence of US Ambassador to Jordan Alice G. Wells. 

At the meeting, Fakhoury briefed them on the economic challenges facing the Kingdom and highlighted the government’s reform programmes and plans.

The two sides reviewed the various areas of cooperation between Jordan and the MCC and the projects the MCC is currently supporting in the water sector, in light of Jordan’s status as one of the world’s most water-poor countries, a ministry statement said.

Fakhoury commended the success of MCC projects in Jordan and stressed the government’s commitment to maintaining its cooperation with the corporation in the coming years. 

Also on Wednesday, Hyde and government officials launched the second phase of a household water conservation programme titled “Water Smart Homes Activity” and celebrated the groundbreaking of a new water utility administration building in Zarqa, according to a statement from the Millennium Challenge Account-Jordan (MCA-Jordan).

“The outreach campaign of the Water Smart Homes Activity utilises a variety of interpersonal channels such as women-led community-based organisations, women preachers, tribal meetings and more, all helping to encourage the adoption of in-house water management techniques to preserve water quality and quantity,” the statement quoted MCA-Jordan CEO Kamal Zoubi as saying. 

“Engaging and empowering women and girls is critical to Jordan’s economic growth,” Hyde said in the statement. “By integrating support and opportunities for women into our projects, MCC ensures that our investment in Jordan’s water sector is more effective and more sustainable.”

The first phase of the Water Smart Homes Activity programme for Zarqa Governorate started in December 2014. It seeks to improve water quality and quantity in Jordanian households through an outreach campaign to household decision makers, primarily women, as well as in-home infrastructure repairs, the statement said.  

The activity has also provided certified plumbing training for approximately 30 women, the statement reported, mentioning that some of the women are already working as plumbers for MCA-Jordan construction companies.

The Water Smart Homes Activity programme forms part of the five-year, $275 million MCC-Jordan Compact, which was designed to reduce poverty in Jordan through economic growth. 

The statement added that the new Zarqa Water Utility Administration Building, funded with cost savings achieved by MCA-Jordan through efficient programme management of the MCC-Jordan Compact, will enhance the operation and maintenance of the water utility, providing space for administration, storage for repair parts and equipment, and training. 

Hyde also visited construction sites where water and wastewater piping are being replaced. The MCC-Jordan Compact includes the construction and rehabilitation of more than 1,000 kilometres of water and wastewater network pipes, and repairs and installation of water connections in approximately 4,500 Jordanian homes, the statement said.

MCC’s compact with Jordan, launched in December 2011, is expected to benefit approximately 3 million people, according to the statement.