MPs query gov’t on ‘Israeli research centre’, other issues

AMMAN — The Lower House, in an oversight session on Sunday, discussed 13 MP questions, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

While the other MPs accepted the government’s answers, six deputies took a more probing approach, , turning their questions into inquiries, according to Petra.

Ajloun MP Safaa Momani questioned the government about the Jordan Abyad Fertilisers & Chemicals Company, while Deputy Saleh Armouti (Amman, 3rd District) asked about the financial situation of the National Electric Power Company.

Karak MP Saddah Habashneh requested explanations about the relocation of the Othman Bin Affan Sharia School.

For his part, Deputy Ibrahim Quraan (Irbid, 4th District) inquired about funds deposited at the Central Bank of Jordan for environmental compensation after the Gulf War and procedures of distributing them.  

Islamist Deputy Dima Tahboub (Amman, 3rd District) asked about the licensing of an Israeli research centre in Amman, the Centre for Israel Studies, and whether its activities and funding sources are monitored.

Minister of State for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani said no Israeli research centre is licensed under that name, stressing that any foreign funding for research centres and civil society institutions is subject to monitoring according to standards and regulations.

Prime Minister Hani Mulki, answering MP Marzouq Daajah on the number and names of government units and plans to merge them, said that the decision to turn the Aqaba Ports Corporation into a fully state-owned company is in line with the corporation’s law, provided that it not privatised.

Also speaking at Sunday’s session, Deputy Fawaz Zu’bi (Irbid, 2nd District) protested his referral to the Lower House Integrity Committee, after he mentioned by name a list of individuals whom he said were suspected of involvement in corruption in his speech during the discussion of the state budget  

The session was adjourned until next Tuesday morning.