Zarqa, June 21 (Petra) — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan said Zarqa
Governorate’s three-year development program, valued at more than
JD800 million across all sectors, is “highly ambitious” and
represents a development partnership between the government and the
governorate’s representatives, including local bodies, senators, and
deputies.

During a Sunday Cabinet session held at Zarqa, Hassan affirmed the
government’s commitment to implementing the program within the
designated timeframes and will be held accountable for its progress.

He identified healthcare, education, and public transportation as
essential service sectors for Zarqa, saying the government would
“prioritize” them, in line with directives issued by His Majesty King
Abdullah II during his visit to the governorate last month.

Industry and employment represent the other side of development and
form the foundation of the development process, Hassan said, adding
that these sectors would receive “significant” attention, as well as
other projects that are currently implemented by various ministries.

The governorate’s development plan includes 155 projects, of which 75
have been completed, he said, announcing overall implementation has
reached 77 percent, with work continuing on the remaining projects.

Hassan said he had conducted field visits to more than 18 sites
across Zarqa, adding that the government has plans and project
proposals that will be announced and implemented soon.

In the healthcare sector, the prime minister said construction of the
new Prince Faisal Hospital building in Russeifa is a priority. The
tender has been awarded, preliminary work began several weeks ago,
and the JD9 million project is scheduled for completion within three
years.

In education, four new schools worth JD10 million have been
completed, including two designed to accommodate approximately 1,000
students each. Work is also underway on seven large schools costing
JD15 million, while 500 additional classrooms will be built and more
than 25 schools renovated.

As for transportation, Hassan said the Amman-Zarqa Bus Rapid Transit
system has served more than 15 million passengers since operations
began. Plans are in place to extend the service to the Hashemite
University within four months to address transportation challenges
facing students.

Hassan said the new Zarqa Industrial Estate, inaugurated by His
Majesty the King last month, is the Kingdom’s largest industrial city
and its first green industrial city. It will be developed in three
phases, while the government works to enhance its attractiveness,
accommodate investment, and create employment opportunities and
industries suited to a city of its scale.

He added that a tender to supply the industrial city with natural gas
was awarded last week and would be implemented in the coming period
to facilitate the rapid launch of investments and increase the city’s
appeal to investors.

Major strategic projects have a “significant” impact on the economy
and employment opportunities across all governorates, not only in a
particular governorate or region, Hassan said. He stressed the need
for effective vocational training to prepare qualified workers
capable of securing productive employment in these projects.

Addressing the national economy, Hassan said the government was
optimistic that the economy was moving in the right direction despite
regional challenges.

Hassan said economic growth was “accelerating,” as figures related
to economic indicators, exports, and the financial market showed
improvement. He added that Jordan had “largely” contained the effects
of inflation compared with neighboring countries and global levels.

Regarding the recent salary increase, Hassan said the decision was
both necessary and consistent with the government’s commitments
within its limited financial capacity. He said it would benefit many
citizens, while the social protection network would continue
supporting the largest possible number of targeted groups.

Commenting on the executions carried out today, Hassan stressed that
attacks against security personnel and members of the Jordan Armed
Forces “constitute a red line.”

“We will not allow any treacherous hand to target the personnel and
officers of our security agencies, and we will apply the law without
leniency against anyone who attacks them,” he said.

Hassan said the implementation of the death penalty sent a clear
message that would continue to be conveyed to anyone who attempts to
attack members of the armed forces or security agencies.

He added that the government would work to amend the law to allow
broader application of the death penalty against major drug dealers
and smugglers working with foreign criminal gangs. The matter will be
pursued in coordination with members of both chambers of Parliament,
he said.

//Petra// AO