The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) has announced the implementation of a new plan to integrate private sector standards into the capital's sanitation services. This follows an agreement signed by Amman Vision, GAM’s investment arm, with three private companies to handle waste collection, transportation, and street cleaning in several areas of the city.
اضافة اعلان
The agreement aims to enhance operational efficiency and apply modern service standards. The capital will be divided geographically among the three firms to ensure competitive quality. Meanwhile, GAM will remain the regulatory authority responsible for setting Technical Standards (Key Performance Indicators - KPIs) and monitoring field performance, with financial penalties for any service deficiencies.
According to the plan, companies are committed to using modern equipment and vehicles equipped with GPS tracking systems, enabling the Municipality to monitor cleaning operations in real-time and ensure efficient task execution.
Employee Rights and Voluntary Transition
Dr. Yousef Al-Shawarbeh, Chairman of the GAM Committee, emphasized that this new step considers the interests of sector workers, clarifying that the transition to private companies will be optional, not mandatory.
He added that those wishing to remain on GAM’s staff will be redistributed to tasks or areas not covered by the current privatization phase. Contracts with private firms will be transparent and safeguard rights, including salaries, social security, and health insurance, with possibilities for performance-based incentives.
Sustainability and the Ghabawi Landfill Project
In a related context, Al-Shawarbeh revealed that approximately 45% of GAM’s electricity consumption is covered by the Al-Ghabawi Landfill project, which generates power from methane gas produced by waste decomposition.
He noted that the project provides significant financial savings, reducing reliance on the National Electric Power Company (NEPCO). This supports financial sustainability and allows for the redirection of resources toward infrastructure improvements. Additionally, the project contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, positioning Amman as a leading Arab city in implementing Green City standards.
Strategic Goals of Partial Privatization
The partial privatization plan aims to achieve:
Higher operational efficiency and reduced maintenance costs for vehicles and direct labor.
Stimulating local investment by activating Amman Vision’s role as a key driver for joint municipal projects.
Improving the urban appearance of the capital and raising hygiene levels in residential and commercial neighborhoods.
Focusing on planning and oversight rather than direct day-to-day operations.
