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King urges election winners to make a difference in people’s lives

His Majesty commends stakeholders’ performance in conducting local polls

By JT - Aug 20,2017 - Last updated at Aug 20,2017

His Majesty King Abdullah meets with Jerash community leaders in Amman on Sunday (Photo courtesy of Royal Court)

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday met with local community representatives and notables from Jerash, a Royal Court statement said.

During the meeting, held at the Royal Court, His Majesty expressed appreciation to government institutions, security agencies and people who participated in holding the local twin elections last week.

In this regard, the King noted that the municipal and governorates councils have the responsibility of identifying their governorates' priority projects that better serve the local communities.

"Those who won the elections have to start working to improve the economic situation and build governorate strategies," the King said.

His Majesty said that what matters is that citizens should feel the change in implementing the decentralisation system through improving the quality of services and ensuring fair distribution of the development gains. 

He added that economy remains the main challenge, stressing the importance of directing investments toward the governorates and cooperation among the government, Parliament and governorate councils.

The Monarch said that he had directed the Royal Court’s staff to expand the process of supporting the productive enterprises for families with low income in all governorates, increasing funds to finance projects set up by young people, who mater trades and professions to help them establish their own businesses to improve their incomes.

On the Palestinian issue, the King said that he is going to discuss with a US delegation the resumption of peace talks between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

He said that the northern borders are under control, underlining the Jordanian-US-Russian cooperation to restore calm in the south of Syria. 

The King expressed his confidence in the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army in dealing with any threat on the borders.

On developments in the Syrian crisis, the King reiterated that a political solution remains the only way to restore calm in the country.

King Abdullah said that Daesh’s defeats and the efforts of the Iraqi government to eradicate the group will lead to reopening the road between Amman and Baghdad. 

For his part, Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh said that the King has directed concerned Royal Court officials to implement a number of Royal initiatives in Jerash to complement the government projects.

These include projects to support families with low income through financing productive small- and medium-sized enterprises.

He said the initiative to help vocationally skilled young people, is coordinated with the Development and Employment Fund and the Vocational Training Corporation.

He announced that 20 housing units will be provided to underprivileged families in coordination with the Social Development Ministry.

A centre for developing children’s talents in cooperation with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Zaha Cultural Centre will also be established in Jerash, around 45km from Amman, with a population of 200,000 approximately.

He also announced a project that will be handled by Jerash Greater Municipality, involving setting up a factory to produce flags and vocational costumes.

The Royal Court has coordinated with the government to implement priority projects in the governorate including establishing 126 housing units, four schools, rehabilitating Jerash Hospital, Dibbeen Tourism Development Project and a club for military retirees, according to the Royal Court.

For their part, Jerash notables commended the “democratic achievement” represented by holding the last local election, which included the governorate “decentralisation” councils.

They expressed their appreciation for meeting His Majesty, highlighting Jordan’s role in defending Islam and the Muslim and Christian holy places in Jerusalem.

On behalf of Jerash residents, former MP and minister Mifleh Ruheimi, outlined the demands of the residents including completing an intermediate college, accelerating the establishment of Jerash Industrial Estate and establishing a cultural centre.

In his remarks, Jerash Mayor Ali Qawaqzeh called for establishing a joint council of the municipal and governorate councils to propose agricultural, tourism and services projects.

 

He also called for focusing on tourism promotion, habilitating the city’s centre and connecting the modern to the ancient part to lengthen tourists’ stay in the city. 

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