Lower House deliberations over gov’t policy statement continue for 2nd day

AMMAN — The Lower House on Wednesday continued its deliberations over the government’s policy statement, which Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Bisher Al Khasawneh presented to the Parliament on Sunday, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The Lower House began deliberations on Tuesday, with 17 MPs making their notes in morning and afternoon sessions.

Under the Constitution, the Cabinet that was formed while Parliament is dissolved shall present its policy statement within one month of the inauguration of the newly elected Lower House.

The House decided earlier to allocate 20 minutes to each deputy and 30 minutes to each bloc to address the government's policy statement.

MP Mohammed Maharmeh called on the government to establish a national council for youth, as well as to reactivate the National Fund for Supporting Youth and Sports Movement.

He also said that designating a national programme for political and economic reform includes stabilising public debt and putting it on a downward trajectory.

Deputy Rashed Shouhah said that the government statement has not addressed the need of amending the Election Law.

MP Omar Ayasrah said that the current stage requires “the re-production of institutions and political class”, highlighting the need for expanding freedoms, according to Petra.

Drawing attention to the importance of taking advantage of the pandemic to improve the health sector, MP Dirar Dawoud called for drawing “a crystal clear COVID-19 vaccine policy”, to be set within a specific time frame.

MP Bilal Momani urged the government to support newspapers and media institutions to perform their roles efficiently through forming a committee to handle the situation as soon as possible.

Momani also emphasised the importance of improving the living conditions of the soldiers who participated in the Karamah Battle.

MP Shadi Freig called for adopting a new approach to economic challenges, one that creates opportunities for the marginalised segments, while at the same time ensuring equity and development.

He also reviewed the main demands of Maan residents, including the need for providing specialist doctors in Maan Hospital and improving health services, continuing the tender of the military hospital and creating a land port, among others.

Other Parliament members shed light on problems and challenges facing those who live in southern Badia such as weak health and educational services provided to the citizens. They also called for establishing a new modern factory for manufacturing glass in Maan to make use of good amounts of Silica there, in addition to upgrading the medical sector and including citizens and the people from the Gaza Strip of all ages in medical insurance.