His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday ordered the creation of a JD150 million development fund targeting the country’s governorates.

The fund, to be run in partnership between the government and civil society organisations, seeks to create jobs and enhance the living conditions of citizens across the Kingdom.

At a meeting held in the city of Salt with notables and representatives of the Governorate of Balqa, King Abdullah instructed authorities to undertake various projects in the governorate in health, education and youth sectors and ordered that the areas youth be facilitated in joining the Jordan Armed Forces and other national security agencies.

Meanwhile, the King also instructed the Jordan Industrial Estates Corporation to focus on developing the industrial zone in Salt and attract investments to the estate in partnership with the private sector.

He also said the Salt Ring Road, costing JD9 million in next year’s budget, should be completed promptly and instructed officials to build a JD6 million tunnel to ease traffic at the entrance of Salt, which lies 20km northwest of Amman.

The King required that action be taken to meet the needs and address concerns that community leaders presented during the meeting.

He promised to study the case of Adel Qudah, a former finance minister and former Jordan Petroleum Refinery Company (JPRC) chairperson, was convicted of bribery in connection with the JPRC expansion project by the State Security Court. He is serving a two-year sentence and is reported to have cancer.

At the meeting, the governorate’s leaders commended the King’s efforts to realise reform.

Underlining the need to preserve national unity, they said all have a duty to protect the country’s security and stability to ensure the country's continued advancement.

Senator Marwan Hmoud said realising the desired objectives in the Kingdom requires mechanisms and a clear vision coupled with total awareness of internal and external challenges.

The media, he said, has a role in driving change and reform.

MP Abdullah Nsour said all are citizens are required to meet the challenges at hand, and to deal with undesirable developments with wisdom and common sense, as they have always done. Nsour called for optimal utilisation of resources to address citizens’ needs, adding that decisive decision making is crucial under the circumstances.