King expresses dissatisfaction with delay in implementation of projects

14 April 2008
Amman , Jordan

Instructing the government to carry out several education, health and service projects in Zarqa at a total cost of JD10 million, His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday expressed dissatisfaction with the delay in implementation of projects he issued directives for last year.

At a meeting with Zarqa inhabitants and officials to check on the progress of several projects and listen to residents' demands, King Abdullah reiterated his commitment to the area's development.

“I am here to listen to you. It is not my first time here and I am dissatisfied with the delay in implementation of projects we talked about a year ago,” the King said.

“We will work as a team to speed up the implementation of the projects in Zarqa as soon as possible,” the King told the gathering.

During a visit to the governorate in May 2007, King Abdullah said he was not comfortable with the slow pace of work on a new hospital to replace the current Zarqa Public Hospital, which was built in 1961.

In 2004, the King donated a 112-square-kilometre plot of land to establish a new medical centre to meet the increasing demand at the city's sole public hospital. The facilities also are expected to serve citizens from across the governorate, whose population stands at 834,000 with a 6.6 per cent growth rate.

The 10-storey facility, designed along the same lines as the Amman-based Prince Hamzah Hospital, has a 450-bed capacity, a 50 per cent increase compared to the existing hospital.

Prime Minister Nader Dahabi said the hospital's construction is on schedule, noting the government will speed up the process.

He added that a specialised entity is working on providing the hospital with the required medical staff as soon as it is ready.

The projects also include two basic schools, a youth centre and several public parks.

Several healthcare centres in the governorate will also undergo maintenance and be supplied with necessary medical equipment.

In addition, several infrastructure projects will be carried out in the governorate to open new roads and install streetlights.

Also on Monday, the King paid an unannounced visit to Al Mansour Basic School for Boys in Zarqa's Hai Al Nuzha suburb, housed in a rented dilapidated building which was constructed in 1955.

His Majesty gave instructions for the establishment of a school to replace the seven-classroom building, which houses some 238 fourth and fifth graders.

The Jordan Times