PM meets Aqaba governorate council, opens projects in south region

AMMAN — Prime Minister Hani Mulki on Thursday stressed that the government is seeking political reform through legislative changes and decentralisation that aim to increase citizens' participation in development decision making.

The remarks came during Mulki's meeting with the Aqaba's executive and governorate councils in the presence of Interior Minister Ghalib Zu'bi, Minister of State for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani and Aqaba Special Economy Zone Authority (ASEZA) Chief Commissioner Nasser Shraideh.

For the economy, Mulki said that the government is pursuing self-reliance, noting that controlling public spending and increasing revenues are vital to stimulate development and improve the quality of services provided to people. 

Acknowledging that the budgets of the governorate councils are not large, he explained that there have been projects that had started before electing the councils mid-August.

The prime minister said that the councils' budgets do not include cross-governorate projects, which remain as part of the general state budget.

As for the Aqaba projects that had been implemented before the elections, Mulki said that ASEZA included industrial zones that are out of the ASEZA's boundaries to benefit from its status as a special economic zone.

The added areas include Qweirah, 50km to the north of Aqaba, where an industrial zone has been established.

The Aqaba Governorate Council’s members outlined the needs of Aqaba area to improve public services.  

The premier said that he had directed the Municipal Affairs Ministry to visit Aqaba, 330km south of Amman, to discuss supporting the governorate’s municipalities and enhancing health and education services.

Also on Thursday, the prime minister visited Disi, 30km north of Aqaba, and met MPs and community leaders of the Southern Badia region.

During the visit, Mulki opened a number of development and services projects.

The premier said that the visit came to get acquainted firsthand with the demands of residents.

During the meeting, Water and Irrigation Minister Hazem Al Nasser briefed the meeting on Dabbit Hanout water supply project, which has cost JD900 million.

The prime minister also checked Wadi Rum Visitors Centre and was briefed on efforts to develop the tourist facility.