His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday visited Kerak governorate where he met residents to hear concerns about education, health and infrastructure in the area.

During the meeting, King Abdullah addressed 700 community leaders, underlining the urgency of reviewing the governorate's priorities and focusing on enhancing services in all sectors, especially education and health and encouraging participation in upcoming national elections.

The King emphasised the government's responsibility in organising transparent and impartial elections, but said citizens have a responsibility is to elect deputies capable of serving the public good from within the legislative authority, which plays a fundamental role in the country's development process.

He said citizens should be partners in the decision-making process and in setting the course for the country and underlined the need for clarity of vision, well-studied plans and widespread participation.

The King said if citizens work diligently, transparently and cooperatively, the future Jordanians desire is achievable.

King Abdullah said he had instructed the government to address Kerak's priority needs in consultation with residents, adding that a meeting will be held in a few days at the Royal Court for this purpose.

Prime Minister Samir Rifai said the government is following the King's directives to realise sustainable development, adding that the government is working on the implementation of 31 capital projects in the governorate, at a total cost of JD42.8 million, to improve services in several fields.

Rifai added that 83 per cent of planned projects are on schedule for completion, citing the expansion of Kerak Public Hospital and the construction of a forensic medicine centre to serve the southern region at a total cost of JD12.5 million. The premier said the project will be completed next year.

He also noted that the government has allocated JD4.3 million for the construction of six new schools in the governorate, along with JD12.2 million this year to rehabilitate water networks, increase the coverage of sewage networks, and expand several water treatment plants.

Required funding has also been allocated for a project to enhance tourism in the governorate, the premier said, stressing that the government will continue working to secure funds for development projects that create jobs and enhance living conditions and public services.

Kerak Governor Ali Shraa reviewed the governorate's achievements in different sectors, noting that its needs include new schools, allocating a percentage of houses built under the Decent Housing for Decent Living initiative for Kerak teachers and building a club for teachers.

There is also a need to review the distribution and expansion of health centres in the governorate in order to improve health services, Shraa said, adding that Kerak's needs also include establishing a slaughterhouse and improving several roads in the governorate.

The King had lunch with the attendees.