WAJ, USAID sign $8m agreement to improve Kingdom's water networks

AMMAN — The Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ) and USAID on Tuesday signed a cooperation and support agreement worth $8 million to improve the efficiency of USAID-financed water networks.

Water Minister Mohammed Najjar, during the signing ceremony, reviewed the projects that are being implemented in the water sector and the plans and programmes funded by USAID.

The minister also reviewed the scheduled projects with the aim to enhance water networks’ efficiency, reduce water loss and improve the capability of water resources, according to a ministry statement.

During the meeting, Najjar expressed the government’s appreciation for the US government, mainly through USAID, for its great support to the water sector to help it face water challenges that the Kingdom suffers from.

WAJ Secretary General Bashar Bataineh said that the meeting went over USIAD’s efforts and investments in the water sector over many years to help the sector develop water provision in the Kingdom through providing technical assistance and improving the performance of companies working in the sector.

Bataineh added that USAID officials stressed renewing cooperation with the ministry and WAJ through signing this agreement. The agreement has a total value of $8 million, with WAJ contributing $800,000, expecting the project to conclude within five years between 2021-2025.

Head of USAID Office of Water Resources and Environment Andrew Lecken and other officials from both sides attended the signing ceremony.