Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Administration Waleed Al-Masri stated on Sunday that the government has spent approximately JOD 1.5 million on rainwater drainage projects and hotspot mitigation in Karak Governorate, with plans to allocate an additional JOD 1.5 million to JOD 2 million.
اضافة اعلان
Speaking during a House of Representatives session convened to debate the draft Local Administration Law in response to lawmakers' inquiries, Al-Masri added that the ministry instructed municipalities across Karak—including Karak, Al-Mazar, and Mo'ab—to float project tenders in accordance with established priorities.
Regarding the wall at Karak Castle, Al-Masri explained that technical assessments revealed a major underlying crack beneath the old wall section that collapsed, noting that backfilling work executed in 1970 was not performed to proper engineering standards.
He stated that the ministry will solicit bids to clear unsuitable soil, re-lay it in compacted layers according to technical specifications while retaining existing structural supports, and systematically rebuild the numbered stones. This will precede a second phase focused on fully reinforcing the non-collapsed sections of the wall to prevent future failure.
Al-Masri noted that the cleared area left by the contractor—which caused water accumulation and compounded the issue—will be addressed under the primary project scope.
He assured that structural stabilization to prevent further collapses will be completed before the end of the year, while reassembling the remaining stone masonry may require additional time.
Al-Masri affirmed that the ministry tracks developments daily in coordination with the Department of Antiquities, the Ministry of Tourism, and relevant local authorities in Karak, adding that a specialized technical committee chaired by Ihab Al-Ammarin and comprising local engineers is overseeing the project.
"We will not fall short regarding Karak or any other governorates impacted during the winter season, such as Tafileh and Ma'an," Al-Masri emphasized, noting that structural issues in Zarqa—including the Birin, Sukhna, and Hashemiyya areas—likewise require intervention.
He added that the government has secured necessary funding for the current year, confirming that the ministry will continue addressing all priority sites requiring technical intervention.
