PM tours development projects in Balqa 

AMMAN — Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh visited Balqa Governorate on Monday as part of his series of field tours to various service institutions and development projects. 

Accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Administration Tawfiq Kreishan, Balqa Governor Firas Abu Qaoud and the deputies of the governorate, the prime minister inspected the progress of the construction of the Hamrat Al Sahen road project, which connects Salt and Jordan Valley. 

Khasawneh also visited the Zai Water Treatment Plant and the Hussein Hospital in Salt, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

During his visit to Balqa Governorate, the prime minister began by inspecting the progress of the Hamrat Al Sahen - Deir Alla road project. The execution of the project started six months ago during the prime minister’s first visit to the governorate. The road will serve as an alternative route to the existing Al Ardah - Jordan Valley road, which is currently closed for maintenance.

The prime minister emphasised the need to complete the road project within the specified timeframe and without any delay.

The prime minister also received a briefing from Minister of Public Works and Housing Ahmad Maher Abul Samen on the progress of the project. The project is expected to be completed by the end of this month. 

The execution of the 9.5-kilometre Hamrat Al Sahen - Deir Alla road project began on October 16, 2022. The road is currently 90 per cent complete, and work is expected to finish in a few weeks at a cost of about JD2.2 million.

The prime minister also inspected the progress of the renovation of the Zai water station in Balqa Governorate. 

This station is one of the most important drinking water sources in the Kingdom, supplying Amman with about 40 per cent of its water needs, as well as 50 per cent of the needs of the central region and Balqa.

During the tour, the premier listened to a briefing from Minister of Water and Irrigation Mohammed Al Najjar and the station's operators about the modern methods used to treat water entering the station through 12 filters to rid it of any impurities. 

Also discussed were the regular laboratory tests conducted on the drinking water treated at the station, as the percentage of treated water conformity is 99.7 per cent.

Renovations are being carried out at the Zai Water Treatment Plant at a cost of around $10.5 million, which includes refurbishing the station’s main facilities according to the latest international specifications. The completion of the project is expected in May.

During his visit to Al Hussein Hospital, the prime minister emphasised the importance of providing the best medical and healthcare services to citizens and listened to feedback from patients and visitors.

The prime minister received a briefing from Health Minister Feras Al Hawari on the services of the 55-dunnum hospital. The hospital was established in 2020 with 405 beds, 106 specialist doctors, 57 resident doctors and 913 administrative and nursing staff.