His Majesty King Abdullah announced on Tuesday that implementation of the decentralisation programme will begin this year with the Madaba Governorate.
"I am very happy and enthusiastic that the programme will start in Madaba next month… all are required to cooperate in implementing the programme," King Abdullah said at a meeting Tuesday with community leaders from Madaba.
The King said: "It is not only us and the government that are tasked with executing this plan. You, as well, are required to contribute, as the objective is that you become empowered to decide your future. It is our duty to extend to you all support, and we will be communicating with you.”
King Abdullah stressed that he will closely follow the implementation of socio-economic development programmes in the governorate, emphasising the importance of involving all stakeholders in the decision-making process and determining their future.
To embark on the plan, Prime Minister Nader Dahabi said Tuesday a meeting will be held before the end of March, bringing together community leaders from Madaba, stakeholders from the public and private sectors and governors from across the country.
The government will implement the plan in accordance with the Madaba Municipality Master Plan, a JD345 plan introduced by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs at Tuesday's meeting. The three-phase master plan entails the establishment of several development and investment projects in the Greater Madaba Municipality in the fields of education, tourism, health, agriculture and infrastructure, among others, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Shhadeh Abu Hdeib said Tuesday. The implementation of the plan is expected to be completed by 2027.
The plan is designed to address the anticipated growth in Madaba's population, which is expected to reach 500,000 by 2027.
Prime Minister Dahabi emphasised that the government will continue to implement projects in accordance with a scale of priorities set by the residents of each area.
During the visit, King Abdullah inaugurated the Madaba Sports Complex, which includes a swimming pool, a stadium, basketball and volleyball courts, a multipurpose hall and other sports facilities.
The King also opened the Muthallath Mleih Basic School, which replaced a rented facility. The new school, which serves 216 students, includes spacious classrooms and science and computer labs.
He also opened a centre for young women in Mleih. The centre, which serves 15,000 people in Mleih and neighbouring areas, includes a gymnasium, a multipurpose hall and other facilities.
A total of 16 housing units were distributed to impoverished families in Madaba under a Royal initiative to build houses for the undreprivileged across the Kingdom.
King Abdullah's visit to Madaba coincided with the commencement of operations at Al Safi textile factory, established by the King Abdullah Fund for Development upon directives of the King. The factory will employ 450 women.