Prime minister reviews winter preparedness, calls on entities ‘to learn from past experiences’

AMMAN — Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Omar Razzaz on Tuesday instructed public stakeholders to finish preparations for the winter season, calling for better cooperation and coordination to address any abrupt change in weather conditions and emergencies.

Chairing a meeting for the Civil Defence Higher Council, Razzaz highlighted the importance of the conference to address some emergency weather conditions that the Kingdom goes through during winter, referring to incidents which resulted in massive damages over the past few years. 

The premier also called for “learning from past experiences, especially that Jordan is a state of institutions that learns from mistakes and enhances the level of performance continuously", the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

He also pointed to the "high level" of cooperation and coordination between the Public Works Ministry and municipalities during inclement weather conditions over the past years, notably using the available vehicles and equipment. 

Razzaz also commended the roles of the Civil Defence Department and security agencies in handling epidemics and implementing their daily duties, namely traffic accidents, emergencies, such as the recent Ajloun wildfire.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Salameh Hammad, head of the council, said that the meeting aimed at discussing preparations and procedures taken by the council to deal with emergencies, especially with the approach of winter.

Hammad said that plans prepared by all stakeholders are currently being implemented, noting that "among the most vital issues is sustaining infrastructure related to tunnels, sanitation networks and electricity grids".

Also speaking at the meeting, Public Security Directorate Director Maj. Gen. Hussein Hawatmeh said that a unit has been established for volunteers to organise their efforts and utilise them effectively.