King urges improved services in Amman

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday stressed the importance of improving the services offered to citizens in Amman through a plan that takes into consideration the expected future developments and service requirements.

During a visit to the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) headquarters, His Majesty urged municipal planners to focus on the comprehensive and organisational aspects when drawing up projects targetting the capital’s residents, according to a Royal Court statement.

The population increase in Amman constitutes a challenge that requires the cooperation of all, as it is the cause of traffic jams in the summer when expatriates and tourists flock to the city, the King said.

The Monarch called for extending service plans towards east Amman areas, and improving the quality of infrastructure and services in a way that attracts logistics and investment projects for residents in all the quarters of the capital.

He also reaffirmed the importance of easing procedures for investors interested in starting projects in the capital and “not to hinder or delay projects”.

Regulations governing investment should be easy and transparent, the King said, urging GAM officials to exhibit a high level of professionalism and proficiency when processing applications by investors.

King Abdullah issued directives to establish more public parks and upgrade the quality of existing recreational public facilities. 

The Monarch’s visit comes “out of his keenness to follow up on issues that concern citizens”, the statement said, noting that His Majesty visited GAM in March, 2015 and checked on plans and programmes the municipality was implementing to serve the population in Jordan’s largest city of 4 million.

Amman Mayor Aqel Biltaji briefed the King on GAM’s future plans in the fields of transportation traffic, public parks and facilities and investment facilitation, among others.

Regarding transportation and traffic, Biltaji outlined some GAM procedures aimed at developing public transport services through importing 100 modern buses in 2017, partial operation of the Bus Rapid Transit in 2018, encouraging the use of electric vehicles, establishing charging stations and implementing several other vital projects.

As for investment, he noted that GAM has adopted e-services related to issuing and renewing business licences and green buildings licencing, in addition to implementing new investment projects in partnership with the private sector in the fields of energy, entertainment, parks and transportation.

The mayor summed up plans to develop all areas of Amman, taking into consideration the expected expansion and population growth.

He also presented a detailed explanation on the development of GAM’s financial revenues and capital expenditure over the past few years and 2016.

At the end of the visit, His Majesty had a look at some electric cars which will operate as taxis under a project to develop the capital’s public transport sector. 

The King also listened to a briefing on this service by Noor Jordan for Transport — Taxi Moumayez — in cooperation with the Nissan Company which produces fully electric vehicles.

The electric taxis, which are being introduced in cooperation with Noor Jordan for transport with the aim of alleviating traffic jams in the capital and encouraging people to use public transport, will be operated under the slogan “Tawseelah” (pick up).

GAM recently signed an agreement with the French firm Hyseo International to set up 10 electric car charging stations in Amman with the support from the French government.