‘Balqa development projects to cost JD214.659m’

AMMAN — A total of around JD214.659 million is allocated for public expenditure on the Balqa Governorate development programme between 2016 and 2018, Planning and International Cooperation Minister Imad Fakhoury said Wednesday.

At a meeting with representatives of various sectors in the governorate, some 35km northwest of Amman, Fakhoury said the estimated cost of development projects for 2016 is JD66.505 million, while it stands at JD72.360 million for 2017, and JD74.286 million for 2018, according to a ministry statement.

Stressing that the development programme should take the challenges facing the governorate into consideration, the minister said these problems include high unemployment and poverty rates, standing at 15.1 per cent and 20.9 per cent respectively, compared to 11.9 per cent and 14.4 per cent nationwide.

Fakhoury also highlighted the government’s commitment to adopting the outcomes of the 2016-2018 Balqa development programme, stressing that Wednesday's meeting is in line with the purpose of the draft decentralisation law to ensure governorates' participation in decision making.

As a governorate affected by the Syrian refugee influx, the minsiter said around $5.73 million in funds has been approved in the Jordan Response Plan for projects in Balqa, adding that the ministry is still contacting the international community to urge donors to contribute further to alleviate the refugee burden.

To benefit from investment opportunities in Balqa, according to the investment map for the central governorates, he said the government will cooperate with funds and microfinance institutions to direct their funding towards these potential projects.

Also speaking at the meeting, attended by lawmakers, local community leaders and representatives of the youth, women’s and private sectors, Balqa Governor Saleh Shoshan said the government, through the programme, seeks to achieve institutional results that benefit the community.

According to 2014 estimates by the Department of Statistics, around 447,200 people live in Balqa.

Shoshan also highlighted the development achievements in Balqa in the fields of human capital, education, training and health, in addition to the presence of financing institutions for small-sized projects that play a role in fighting poverty and unemployment.