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AMMAN — Minister of Public Works and Housing Yahya Kisbi on Wednesday visited Jerash to check on the restoration works of the collapsed site in the Amman-Irbid road near Jerash, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

During the visit, on which Jerash Governor Maamoun Lozi accompanied Kisbi, the minister met with the contractor and the supervising team at the site, where he stressed the necessity of removing barriers from the road and the completion of restorations as quickly as possible without affecting the quality of work.

He pointed out in a press statement that all the ministry's cadres are seeking to complete the work before the beginning of Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts, which will kick off on July 19. For his part, Lozi said that the governorate is following up on the work to ensure its completion on time, highlighting the vitality of the street and the traffic pressure it witnesses. 

AMMAN — The Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission (EMRC) on May 31, decided to amend the fuel price difference on electricity subscribers who have renewable energy systems to cover their own consumption from 17 to 11 fils for each kilowatt per hour, an EMRC study revealed on Wednesday.

EMRC said that the study aims at organising the sector and adopting fair and balanced criteria for interests of consumers, investors and licensed sides to use such systems, according to an EMRC statement.

On June 21, the commission decided to apply the fuel price difference on subscribers who possess renewable energy systems for generating electricity to cover their own needs, based on the net electric power consumption, which represents the difference between received and sent power with the grid as of July 1.

AMMAN — Acting director general of the Palestinian Affairs Department Nidal Haddad has stressed the importance of supporting education for Palestinians, especially in Jerusalem, after the US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported on Wednesday.

At the conclusion of the meetings of the Palestinian Children Educational Affairs Council held at the headquarters of the Arab League in Cairo, Haddad praised the educational strategy of the UNRWA.

He expressed hope that the UNRWA can receive the financial allocations necessary to sustain and develop its services, mainly in the educational field. 

AMMAN — The Administrative Court on Wednesday cancelled a secondment decision of 21 employees, out of 40 employees who contested the decision, from the Income and Sales Tax Department (ISTD) to several ministries, according to the 2018 staffing tables.

The court’s contestable decision said that there was a clear contradiction in the secondment decision, which was made for other reasons than those announced, where the department requested appointing new employees and seconded other employees for having surplus, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The court attributed the cancelling of the secondment decision to lacking the title of secondment jobs, which contradicts the Civil Service By-law. 

AMMAN — The General Trade Union of Workers in Air Transportation and Tourism and the Jordan Aircraft Maintenance Limited (JorAMCo) on Wednesday signed an agreement to enhance the work conditions and the workplace environment for employees, the Jordan News agency, Petra, reported.

Signed at the Labour Ministry, Labour Minister Samir Murad stressed the ministry’s keenness on offering a suitable work environment that ensures a mutual respect and understanding between employers and employees.

He said that the ministry has been closely observing the two parties’ negotiations, expressing the ministry’s keenness on protecting the workers’ rights and providing support to investors and employers.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday held a number of meetings at the US Congress with the leaderships of the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as the chairs and members of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programmes.

The meetings, partly attended by Her Majesty Queen Rania, covered the historical ties of friendship and strategic partnership between Jordan and the United States, as well as means to bolster cooperation in various fields, particularly in the economic sector, according to a Royal Court statement. 

Discussions with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin), and the committees also covered the latest developments in the Middle East.

The meetings addressed the economic challenges Jordan is facing — the majority of which have been caused by regional crises — and means to overcome them through programmes to bolster Jordan’s economy, stimulate growth and generate more job opportunities for young Jordanians.

In addition, discussions touched on the great burden Jordan is shouldering as a result of the Syrian refugee crisis.

His Majesty expressed Jordan’s appreciation for the United States’ support for several development-related programmes and efforts to mitigate the burden of the refugee crisis, as well as the repercussions of other regional conditions, thanking Congress for its ongoing support for the Kingdom.

The King stressed that Jordan cannot take in more refugees, affirming that the Kingdom’s security and interests are the priority.

The Palestinian cause was the foremost topic of discussion among regional issues, with His Majesty underlining that reaching a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue will bring security and stability to the Middle East.

His Majesty stressed the need to push the Palestinian-Israeli peace process forward, based on the two-state solution, international law and relevant UN resolutions, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, living side by side with Israel in peace and security.

The subject of Jerusalem, the King underlined, must be settled as a part of the final status issues, on the basis of the two-state solution.

Moreover, discussions at the meetings covered the role of UNRWA and the importance of supporting the UN agency to maintain its educational, health and relief services for Palestinian refugees.

Developments related to the Syrian crisis were also discussed, as well as the importance of reaching a political solution and preserving stability in the de-escalation zone in southwestern Syria, which was established last year under a Jordanian-US-Russian agreement.

Other issues discussed included crises in the Middle East, and regional and international efforts to fight terrorism within a holistic approach.

Members of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programmes said they always look forward to hearing  from His Majesty on various regional and international issues.

They expressed keenness to build on Jordan’s strong partnership with the United States, voicing support for the Kingdom’s important role in seeking security and stability in the region.

The US lawmakers also praised the King’s leadership and ongoing efforts to secure the welfare of Jordanians and other peoples in the region.

They described Jordan as a unique model in hosting refugees that others can learn from.

Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Adviser to His Majesty and Director of the Office of His Majesty Manar Dabbas, Adviser to His Majesty for Economic Affairs Mohammad Eses, and Jordan’s Ambassador to the United States Dina Kawar attended the meetings.

In a press interview after the meetings, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Florida), who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Middle East and North Africa, said: “Jordan is a voice of stability and civility in a very troubled region.”

 “The United States wants to make sure that we stand by our friends and the Kingdom of Jordan has been our friend,” she added, noting that “Jordan is a strong reliable partner for peace”.

“Every time that His Majesty comes… he comes with a breath of fresh air and tells us that there is hope, there is light at the end of the tunnel,” Ros-Lehtinen continued, pointing to Jordan’s ability to navigate the pressures caused by regional conditions.

She also stressed the importance of helping Jordan deal with economic challenges.

Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas), who chairs the House’s Homeland Security Committee and is also a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Congress is always interested in hearing the King’s insight on issues related to foreign policy and how to deal with conditions in the region.

For his part, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-California), who chairs the Friends of Jordan Caucus in the US Congress, said: “The relationship between the United States and Jordan has always been of vital importance to both countries”, noting the importance of His Majesty’s visit to Washington, DC, and his Capitol Hill meetings in providing insight into what is going on in the region, which “helps guide us in our policy making”.

On Monday, His Majesty met with US Vice President Mike Pence and discussed with him means to bolster the strategic partnership between Jordan and the United States.

At the meeting, which was attended by Queen Rania and Second Lady Karen Pence and continued over dinner held in honour of Their Majesties and the accompanying delegation, discussions covered crises and issues in the Middle East and efforts to reach political solutions to end them.

AMMAN — Jordan will not any more take in Syrian refugees and the border with Syria will not be reopened, officials reiterated Tuesday.

“The Kingdom will not receive any new refugees from Syria under any circumstances,” Prime Minister Omar Razzaz said Tuesday after a meeting with Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh and heads of the chamber’s committees.

Jordan has received Syrian refugees above its capacity and will not be able to receive more, the premier said.

He stressed, meanwhile, that the Jordanian borders are tightly controlled by the Jordan Armed Forces.

A political solution to the crisis in Syria is a must, he said, echoing Jordan’s stance on the conflict in the northern neighbour since it began seven years ago. 

Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi also said the Jordanian borders with Syria will remain closed and the United Nations can secure the Syrian population in their country.

In talks with concerned parties, Safadi Tweeted, Amman focuses on the need to halt bloodshed, support a political solution and help displaced people inside Syria.

There are no displaced Syrians at Jordanian borders and Syrians are moving to places inside Syria as regime forces have launched an offensive against rebels in the southern region of the war-torn country.  

“We help brothers as much as we can and protect our interests and security,” the minister said.

The UN said Tuesday that at least 45,000 people have fled the fighting in the southwest, heading towards the border with Jordan.

“We expect the number of displaced people could more than double as violence escalates,” Bettina Luescher, spokeswoman for the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP), said, quoted by Reuters.

The WFP had provided food to 30,000 people, and plans to deliver more in the coming days over the border from Jordan, she said.

Jordan has offered a refuge to more than 1.3 million Syrians fleeing the raging conflict at home, more than 85 per cent of whom live in host communities outside camps. 

Jordanian officials on Monday said talks were ongoing to protect a de-escalation zone created in southwestern parts of Syria under a deal reached between Jordan, the US and Russia in 2016.

AMMAN — Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) received a preliminary report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) indicating that Qusayr Amra region near Azraq, some 60km east of Amman, is suitable for building nuclear reactors, according to the agency’s Chairman Khaled Toukan.

Necessary studies were conducted on the site by Belgium’s Tractebel, Korea Electric Power Corporation and Worley Parsons, with findings showing the suitability of the location for the facilities, he said at a press conference this week.

“All studies have showed that there are no impediments at all in the site,” he said, citing the report, which had been sent to the IAEA by the testing companies.

“We have received an initial site-suitability report from the agency approving the location, and we expect to receive the final report within six months,” said Toukan.

Toukan explained a change of policy, renewing a recent announcement that Jordan is planning to focus on small modular nuclear reactors during the upcoming period. He said feasibility studies are being conducted jointly by the JAEC, the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy of Saudi Arabia and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute to build two nuclear reactors in Jordan at a total capacity of 220 megawatts.

The two system-integrated modular advanced reactors (SMART) will cost around $800 million, Toukan noted, adding that the project will be financed by the three sides involved and that Jordan has received pledges of support for the reactors.

Toukan added that Jordan would continue talks with the China    National Nuclear Corporation during this year on building nuclear reactors in the Kingdom.

In April, the JAEC chief said Jordan was in serious and advanced talks with China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) to build a 220 megawatt high temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTR) in the Kingdom.

An agreement for building the almost $1 billion helium gas-cooled reactor, a fourth generation reactor, is expected to be signed in 2019 between the two sides.

In early June, the JAEC said it scrapped a $10 billion deal with Russia to build the country’s first nuclear power plant at a capacity of 2,000 megawatts, as the Russians requested securing the necessary funds for the project via commercial loans.

On uranium reserves in Jordan, Toukan said the Kingdom’s central region is home to 40,000 metric tonnes of uranium, which has enough yellow cake to supply Jordan’s nuclear programme for more than 100 years. The volume is expected to increase as promising excavations are under way in several areas.

“We expect to start producing tens of kilos of yellow cake by the end of this year,” said Toukan.

Toukan stressed that Jordan boasts qualified human resources needed in the field, adding that training of Jordanian experts and students in this regard is ongoing.

AMMAN —The recent government’s measures to cut spending are good but not enough, and should include all the state institutions, experts and citizens said.

The Cabinet has recently taken several decisions to reduce expenditure of ministries by JD151 million.

It decided not to buy new vehicles and furniture, to use vehicles only for official purposes, rent buildings and limit the maximum number of official delegations to missions abroad to three people, including the head of the delegation, and to assign members of embassies to participate in meetings whenever possible.

The Cabinet also decided to continue deducting 10 per cent of any amount above JD2,000 of ministers’ salaries. The decision, which includes the prime minister’s wages, will be effective as of July 1.

For Issam Qadamani, an economist and a columnist, the decisions are “déjà vu” in the sense that Jordanians have heard similar decisions from previous governments.

All these measures are superficial and part of a populist policy, said Qadamani.

Instead, they had to reduce the number of ministries, said the pundit, adding that, in principle, cutting spending is a better option as it would affect performance and services.

On reducing the number of official delegates to three and assigning members of embassies to join meetings, Qadamani said that the embassies are already complaining about being under-staffed.

Also embassy staff may not be relevant to the missions of delegation, he added.  

All decisions that Prime Minister Omar Razzaz has taken are limited to the prime ministry, which make them below the expectations, economist Wajdi Makhamreh told The Jordan Times on Tuesday.

“Such measures should be applied to the entire public sector including all institutions and officials of all ranks”, he said.

Cutting the public expenditure has also to involve the Parliament, said the economist, who added the lawmakers should show more social and national sense of responsibility.

The pundit called for raising the awareness of and monitoring public sector employees at every institution.

He suggested that institutions include saving or wasting public funds in the annual performance evaluation of employees.

Mohammad Abu Aqel, a citizen from Irbid, said that the decisions are on the “right path” provided that they are implemented.

Aqel said that, apart from these decisions, the government has much more to do and has to take measures that reflect directly on people’s livelihoods.

“It has to seek publicity through real reforms rather than cosmetic measures that have little or no benefits for the public”, he said. 

On the official delegations, Aqel said that limiting the number of delegates to three is a right decision, but the government should also ensure that institutions choose the right members on the basis of competence and relevance rather than favouritism.

For Omar Mahmoud, a citizen, the decision related to deductions from 29 ministers’ salaries is not effective as it has a little benefit to the Treasury.

The decision should involve all of the public sector’s employees whose salaries exceed JD2,000, a measure that was approved but not applied by a former government, according to Mahmoud.

He also called for a clarification of the deduction mechanism as senior officials receive several allowances that are not part of the official wages.

Fakher Daas, coordinator of the National Campaign for Defending Students’ Rights (Thabahtoona) claimed that these decisions reflect the government’s “inability” to take “real and serious” measures that meet the public demands. 

He called on people to have a longer-term memory when witnessing the decisions of the incumbent government, which he described as a “bad version” of the former ones, while also criticising the public’s “fish memory”.  

AMMAN — Prime Minister Omar Razzaz on Tuesday said that the government has commenced drafting its policy statement that will be presented to the Lower House seeking its confidence.

The statement will be presented during the extraordinary session slated for July 9, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

During a meeting with Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh, members of the House’s Permanent Bureau, and representatives of the chamber’s blocs, Razzaz said that the policy statement will be brief but comprehensive. 

It will include clear and time-framed programmes that will help the Parliament monitor the government’s performance, Razzaz said.

The premier stressed the government’s commitment to a new approach that is based on participation and dialogue, noting his Cabinet  has already shown openness to the opinions and points of view of the Parliament and the civil society institutions regarding the government’s policies.

This approach contributes to better identification of the challenges that people face and solutions to them, he added.

The statement will deal with urgent issues, and launch a long-term comprehensive project of revival, said Razzaz, stressing that the plan is addressing urgent issues not with “rash” responses but a mature social, economic and political blueprint.

The statement will focus on matters that concern residents, including poverty, joblessness, health, education and transport, Razzaz told the MPs.

He noted that the government would initiate a dialogue on an income tax draft law after examining alternatives to new taxes and evaluating financial and social impacts and burdens on citizens.

For his part, Tarawneh welcomed the government’s initiative to open dialogue on national issues, stressing commitment to the contents of the Royal Letter of Designation that called for a national comprehensive revival project.

The speaker said that it is not reasonable to increase taxes on people while basic services are not provided.

He called for exempting financially struggling small farmers,  from overdue interest on farming loans.

He stressed the importance of providing hospitals with equipment without delay as some of them lack dialysis    devices. 

The members of the House’s Permanent Bureau said that the statement should include ground-breaking solutions that address the economic situation, based on “real and measurable” programmes.

They stressed the importance of fighting all forms of administrative and financial corruption.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State Rajai Muasher, Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Musa Maaytah, and Minister of State for Media Affairs Jumana Ghunaimat attended the meeting.

In press remarks following the meeting, Razzaz said that citizens are aware of the “exceptional” circumstances that Jordan is passing through, which require an exceptional participatory approach and an understanding of this reality.

Tarawneh announced that the income tax draft law will be discussed in the coming extraordinary session, or a second one will be held for the purpose.