House committee criticises gov’t ‘disregard’ for Desert Highway recommendations

AMMAN — The Lower House’s Public Services and Transport Committee on Sunday criticised the government for disregarding the Lower House’s recommendations on expanding the Desert Highway to three lanes.

MP Khaled Abu Hassan, head of the committee, said that the committee would mobilise parliamentary efforts to request a public discussion session on the draft project, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Abu Hassan made his remarks during the committee’s meeting, in the presence of Minister of Public Works and Housing Falah Omoush, to discuss prominent developments in the Desert Highway project, the Baghdad international road project and the Bus Rapid Transit project connecting the central governorates of Amman and Zarqa. 

He pointed out that the government had endorsed a tender for the Desert Highway’s maintenance valued at JD325 million, stressing the need to fully implement the project, as it is the main link between northern and southern Jordan. Abu Hassan called on the government to provide all the support necessary to implement the $50-million third lane.

He explained that the government’s decision to put the brakes on the third lane would negatively affect the highway’s condition, stressing that the project should not be delayed, especially as Jordan is currently opening up to neighbouring countries and “trade requires us to do much to improve this highway”.

The Desert Highway is a vital route for the Kingdom, being the main highway leading to Aqaba’s port. It also connects Jordan with Saudi Arabia through the Al Mudawwarah border crossing, and is used by Hajj and umra pilgrims.