Prime minister inspects key development projects in Karak, Maan

-       Hassan directs upgrades for schools, health centers

-       PM lays foundation stone for $250m sulfuric acid plant

AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Sunday conducted field visits across Karak and Maan governorates, as part of his ongoing efforts to monitor regional development and address local needs.

The Prime Minister’s first stop was the Qatraneh District in Karak, where he visited the Qatraneh Centre for Inclusive Day Services. Accompanied by the minister of social development, Hassan emphasised the need to provide additional specialised support, directing that the centre be staffed with physical therapy and speech therapy specialists.

He also called for the establishment of a garden and additional facilities to serve both the centre's beneficiaries and the local community, according to a Prime Ministry statement.

Founded in 2009 under a Royal Initiative, the Qatraneh Centre offers a range of inclusive daytime services for persons with disabilities, including rehabilitation, training, early intervention, and community-based rehabilitation. The centre also houses offices for social development services and the National Aid Fund.

The prime minister also toured Qasr Al Qatraneh accompanied by the minister of tourism and antiquities. Hassan instructed the Ministry of Tourism to develop the site by establishing a visitor centre and rest areas to enhance its historical significance and improve the tourism experience.

Built in 1517, Qatraneh Castle is located 90 kilometres south of Amman and played a key role in protecting pilgrims travelling to Mecca.

In Maan Governorate, the prime minister visited a mixed secondary school and a boys’ secondary school.

He directed the immediate expansion of both institutions, with plans for new classrooms to be completed before the next academic year. Hassan also called for the modernisation of computer labs, the creation of student playgrounds and courtyards and general maintenance for both schools.

The prime minister also visited the primary health centre in the Ashari District of Maan, accompanied by the minister of health. He instructed that the centre be equipped with necessary medical staff and equipment, alongside general maintenance to improve its service delivery.

In Al Jafr District, Hassan visited the Jafr Health Center, where he listened to local concerns and ordered further maintenance and resource allocation to enhance the centre’s services. He was accompanied by the minister of local administration and the governor of Maan.

Hassan also laid the foundation stone for the second phase of the sulfuric and phosphoric acid plant project in Al Shidiyah, located in the Jafr District.

Owned by the Jordan Phosphate Mines Company (JPMC), the JD250 million project is expected to generate 300 direct and 500 indirect job opportunities.

The second phase of the project is set to substantially enhance production capacity. The sulfuric acid plant’s daily output will nearly double, increasing from 2,200 metric tonnes to 4,450 metric tons. Meanwhile, the phosphoric acid plant will see its capacity grow from 900 metric tonnes to 1,600 metric tons per day.

In addition to these increases, the expansion will generate an extra 20 megawatts of power per hour, with the capability to export up to 9 megawatts.

The project, which has been awarded through a tender, is expected to be completed within 18 months, with an investment value of $250 million.

Hassan, accompanied by the ministers of local administration and energy and mineral Resources, also visited the site to inspect progress.

The prime minister also highlighted the importance of local training programmes aligned with the project's phases, noting that these programmes would target university and vocational training institute graduates, ensuring they benefit from the job opportunities created by the project.