AMMAN — On Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Local Administration, Tawfiq Kreishan, announced that the value of unsuccessful
investments in municipalities is estimated at JD70 million, all of which fail
to generate income for the municipalities, as per Khaberni. He emphasized the
ministry's support for economically viable and successful
investment projects that create job opportunities.
اضافة اعلان
During a meeting with several mayors in Irbid, Kreishan
pointed out that the majority of municipal investments involve the construction
of warehouses leased to citizens without regular rent collection, leading to
significant financial burdens for citizens. Furthermore, he affirmed that the
ministry supports municipal investment projects, provided they are carried out
in collaboration with the private sector.
Kreishan revealed that the uncovered accounts for
municipalities amounted to JD200 million, while the municipalities'
indebtedness reached JD85 million. Despite this, municipalities continue their
work, striving to provide services to citizens. The completion rate for
projects in municipalities and governorate councils ranged from 90 percent to
60 percent.
Moreover, Kreishan acknowledged that the delay in achieving
progress is due to some regulations and legislation related to tenders and
budgets that require modification. He added that the ministry is working on
amending some legislation related to the rotation of governorate councils'
budgets.
Regarding the size of municipal debt, Kreishan downplayed
it, considering it insignificant compared to Jordan's debt, which constitutes
89 percent of the
Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He highlighted that municipal
fuel revenues, which were JD190 million prior to 2020, declined to JD105
million, then increased to JD180 million in 2023. This necessitates that
municipalities do not rely on these revenues but generate their own income
through investments.
The minister mentioned that grants, which amounted to JD470
million before 2020, decreased to zero after 2020. The ministry has also
requested JD500 million in grants from the Planning Ministry to support
municipalities over five years.
In relation to the new
professional licenses system and the
complaints raised by traders and investors about its disruption, Kreishan
acknowledged numerous concerns. He emphasized the necessity of maintaining the
old system in parallel with the new one to prevent any disruption to citizens'
interests.
Kreishan revealed the existence of 'corrupt employees'
caught in municipalities hindering transactions under the new system. They were
receiving bribes to process transactions and
write off funds owed to the municipality. The new system regulates such actions, leading some employees to
claim that the new system does not work with the aim of returning to the old
system. The minister also pointed out administrative slack in the Ministry of
Local Administration and other ministries. Therefore, administrative updates
were implemented to eliminate this slack.
Notably, he praised the achievements of municipalities in
Jordan in general and Irbid West Municipality in particular, commending the
municipality for numerous projects funded from its own resources, providing
financial income, and reducing the cost of implementing these developmental and
service projects.
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