‘Young people commended for initiative to maintain desert highway’

AMMAN — Photos of young people in the Qatraneh area attempting to perform maintenance work on parts of the desert highway were circulated on social media over the past days as motorists blame the road’s poor condition for “increasing” accidents. 

The photos posted on Facebook by some young residents of Qatraneh, 90 kilometres south of Amman, showed holes and cracks in the highway that links the capital with the southern part of the Kingdom. 

Minister of Public Works and Housing Sami Halaseh told The Jordan Times that the ministry will float a tender next week to revamp the most damaged part of the road, which he said is between Swaqa and Dabaa. 

“This tender is somewhat urgent to repair the worst parts of the road,” Halaseh said, adding that ministry will start to rehabilitate the entire 250-kilometre highway by the end of this year, 

The project will last for at least two years and cost around JD120 million, he noted, adding that there is a Cabinet decision to rehabilitate the desert highway. 

Halaseh said the project might be funded by Saudi Arabia, indicating that a delegation from the Gulf kingdom is expected to arrive in Amman next week for discussions. 

Saudis have already expressed approval to finance the project, he said. 

Commenting on the photos of young people fixing the road, Halaseh said their initiative is “highly valued” by the government. 

Facebook users said that the Qatraneh youths carried cement in their cars to fill holes in the road and photos showed them using shovels to do so.

Social media users commended the move.

Zaina M. Banihani said that Jordan would be a much better place if all people contributed to the development of the country. 

Omar Khraisat said these are the kind of people who love Jordan, because they do not seek publicity or to be seen on TVs.

Some other users criticised the government for leaving the highway in poor condition, saying although they respect the move of the youths it is the job of authorities.