Stakeholders ‘hopeful’ decentralisation dialogues will lead to ‘clear’ national strategy

AMMAN — The Economic and Social Council (ESC) held a dialogue session in cooperation with the Ministry of Political and Parliamentary Affairs as part of the national decentralisation dialogue the government launched on Wednesday.

Minister for Political and Parliamentary Affairs Musa Maaytah said that the national dialogue will encompass all the economic, social and political aspects of decentralisation, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Maaytah expressed hope that the dialogue would contribute to reaching a clear, long-term national strategy for decentralisation, in terms of hoped-for outcomes and laws necessary to render the decentralisation effort a success.

The minister said that young people will have an important role in the dialogue through the youth centres across the Kingdom.

The dialogue is expected to finish next year, and will include activities implemented in cooperation with the chambers of industry and commerce, professional associations and parliamentarians.

He also highlighted the importance of finding a “true” strategy that can be presented to citizens, so that they can “feel” the decentralisation efforts’ progress and economic benefits.  

ESC President Mustafa Hamarneh, said that the sessions held by the council, aims at reaching agreements and recommendations to form a foundation for improving local administrations, citizens’ participation in decision making and enhancing democratic principles. 

Hamarneh added that evaluating and amending laws is vital for building on previous achievements and avoiding mistakes in the decentralisation process, adding that the current Decentralisation Law could be amended or replaced by an entirely new law. 

The session’s participants highlighted the importance of raising citizens’ awareness on the governorate councils, in addition to training members of these councils on legal, administrative and economic aspects.