His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday donated JD3 million for the implementation of vital development and service projects in Jerash Governorate.

At a meeting with members of the governorate's consultative council, King Abdullah gave instructions for the government to follow up on the demands and needs presented by members of the council.

His Majesty noted that a meeting will be held in two weeks at the Royal Court gathering representatives of the council and concerned ministers to draw up plans to carry out needed projects in the governorate in order of priority.

King Abdullah said that in spite of the economic challenges at hand, the government is working on a strategy to reduce citizens' burdens, underlining the need to cooperate and work diligently to meet the needs of the governorate.

“We are trying to reduce the burdens you face in 2010 and according to the available resources. This is our ultimate objective,” the King said while addressing the members of the council.

His Majesty emphasised that he will remain in contact with the council and closely follow up on their needs and demands as well as the progress made in the projects to be implemented.

The King stressed the importance of the council in identifying priorities in the governorate, noting that its role will increase in the future as part of the decentralisation programme the government is implementing.

During his visit to Jerash, King Abdullah also inaugurated the headquarters of the governorate and checked on progress in a project to expand Jerash Public Hospital, which has opened new medical sections supplied with state-of-the art medical devices, according to officials.

Members of the council called for creating healthcare centres in various areas of the governorate and urged the expansion of schools, also noting that the governorate is in dire need of improved infrastructure to enhance its tourism industry.

They also called for creating a public university or community college in the governorate and said sewage and water networks in several areas are in need of rehabilitation. They highlighted the need for projects to alleviate poverty and unemployment and called for creating youth centres.

At the meeting, Prime Minister Samir Rifai, who stressed that the economy is in good condition despite the large budget deficit and public debt, highlighted the government's keenness to enhance infrastructure to attract tourism investment in the governorate, referring to the King's efforts in attracting investments.

Rifai added that the government has allocated JD1.5 million for renewing water networks in Jerash and JD3 million for sewage projects.

On education, he noted that the government allocated JD1.3 million for the creation of a community college in Jerash in the 2010 state budget, in addition to JD900,000 in the 2011 budget to start the project.

Rifai added that a total of JD1.3 million were allocated for the creation of Ajloun Hospital and the expansion of Jerash Public Hospital.

Rifai said the government cannot pay the debts of municipalities; however, he said it will help municipalities in planning and implementation.

At the meeting, Minister of Municipal Affairs Ali Ghezawi reviewed the Jerash master plan, which seeks to enhance the socio-economic conditions of the governorate and improve services offered to its citizens.

The plan, which will be implemented over three phases, identifies the usages of land and takes into account the agricultural and tourism features of the governorate.

It also entails plans for transportation that seek to reduce traffic congestion and includes a plan for development projects and investments. The blueprint also includes plans to distribute public utilities across the governorate.

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Maha Khatib said several infrastructure projects, which were suspended for a while in Jerash, will be resumed next week, stressing the government's keenness to create the appropriate atmosphere for investments in the tourism sector in the governorate.