His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday issued directives to draw up a master plan for Kerak to help authorities better define and implement development and infrastructure projects in the southern district.

During a visit to the area, King Abdullah urged concerned authorities to execute a series of development, health and educational projects, announcing an allocation of JD6 million for that purpose.

At a meeting with officials, local community leaders and representatives of the governorate, home to some 223,000 inhabitants, the King said he was aware of the challenges facing citizens, adding: “We will study with the government the implementation of projects to meet other needs in this year's budget and that of next year.”

He also directed the government to cooperate with the Jordan Armed Forces in the field of education and health to boost services offered in these vital sectors to residents.

Prime Minister Nader Dahabi, who also attended the meeting, said he would meet with representatives from the area in two weeks to “set priorities” in projects envisioned for the area.

The premier noted that a factory will be established in Faqqou before the end of the year, creating come 700 jobs for women in the area.

Stressing that the government has a clear idea of the situation of hospitals and medical centres and the services they offer, Dahabi said the government will make sure that all residential areas are adequately supplied with proper medical care.

Also yesterday, King Abdullah visited the Mazar Basic School for Boys, which was established in 1969, and issued directives to renovate the facility and others in the district.

The school, attended by 400 students, is in need of a fence, maintenance work and more classrooms. “It lacks the proper educational environment,” school principal Farhan Tarawneh told reporters.

King Abdullah also visited the shrines of the Prophet Mohammad's companions in Muta near Kerak, the site of a famous battle between the Muslim army and the Byzantines in the early Islamic era.

He also visited the family of the late Lt. Colonel Mohammad Tarawneh, a police officer who died in line of duty last month, to offer condolences and support.

At the meeting with Kerak representatives, a documentary prepared by the We Are All Jordan Youth Commission was screened, highlighting the governorate's need for basic services.

Citizens also called for supporting farmers, renewing water networks and assisting women and youth centres to carry out their services, among others.