Salt, June 25 (Petra) -- Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan on Wednesday reaffirmed Jordan’s resilience in the face of mounting regional instability, declaring: "We stand strong-- grounded in our leadership, our people, our armed forces, and our security institutions."

Addressing the Cabinet session in Balqa Governorate, the Prime Minister expounded upon the Kingdom's enduring strength. "We have built this nation by forging ahead through the fiercest storms. Despite every hardship, we persevere with unwavering confidence in the wisdom of our Hashemite leadership and the steadfast resolve of this generous people."

Speaking before elected officials from across the governorate, he emphasized that "crises will never serve as justification for this government to suspend its operations, neglect its responsibilities, or fail to deliver everything within our power to serve our sons and daughters."

He further stressed that the momentum of life will not be halted by conflicts and ventures that jeopardize regional security and stability. "We are not participants in these conflicts and their resulting tragedies, nor shall we be. The security of Jordan and Jordanians, and safeguarding our nation's stability and prosperity, remains our paramount concern."

The Prime Minister observed that Jordan has, for decades, confronted strategic and external security challenges that have invariably proven exceptional and unprecedented.

He asserted, "These crises have never derailed this country's progress they have made us stronger, more cohesive, and more protective of this cherished homeland through the wisdom of our Hashemite leadership, our internal solidarity, and by steering clear of the chaos and conflicts that have exacted a toll in innocent blood and brought down nations and societies."

Turning to the Palestinian cause and Israel's war on Gaza, the Prime Minister stated, "The world has, under present circumstances, seemingly forgotten Gaza, even as innocent civilian casualties there in recent weeks have surpassed all victims of the Israeli-Iranian conflict and the confrontations we witnessed, despite their grave threat to the security of the entire region."

He stressed that Israeli savagery and extremism persist against Palestinian brethren in the West Bank, Gaza, Jerusalem, and its holy sites, declaring, "This savagery must cease."

He identified the protection of Palestinian brothers and the bolstering of Palestinian resilience and steadfastness on their land as the primary concern for the period ahead.

The Prime Minister highlighted that throughout the past quarter-century, no leader has played a more pivotal role in galvanizing the international community than His Majesty King Abdullah II.

He reaffirmed that the sole path to resolving regional crises hinges upon a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian question, warning that without this, the region will remain vulnerable to endless crises and conflicts.

The Prime Minister noted that the government continues with unwavering determination to implement its plans and programs, taking all necessary measures to mitigate the impact and repercussions of current circumstances across various sectors, as directed by His Majesty. This includes implementing measures related to energy alternatives, strengthening food reserves, maintaining supply chains, and continuing to adopt necessary steps for sectors affected by these developments. A series of measures will be announced in the coming period.

Regarding the development of the education sector and support for teachers, the Prime Minister declared, "We must keep our gaze fixed on Jordan's future and its generations," emphasizing the government's comprehensive approach to education across all governorates in ways that positively impact every component of the educational process: students, teachers, and the school environment.

He announced the commencement this year of construction on 18 new schools across governorates seven of which will open with the start of the next academic year and eleven in the second semester. This initiative is part of a larger project to complete 100 schools over the next two years under a corporate social responsibility project launched in partnership with the private sector.

He extended gratitude to the private sector for their contribution to this distinctive new initiative, which complements the Ministry of Education's new school projects within its budget.

The Prime Minister affirmed that teachers remain the cornerstone of educational development and modernization, with "the government's responsibility being to strengthen their role, enhance their qualifications, and preserve their dignity."

He noted His Majesty's directive to increase university admission slots for children of Ministry of Education teachers from 5% to 10%, effective from the beginning of the next academic year.

He added, "We have initiated procedures, as promised, to allocate 1,039 land plots for teacher housing across the Kingdom's governorates through the Public Corporation for Housing and Urban Development, to be offered to teachers with discounts reaching 50% compared to similar plots' market value."

The Corporation will announce the terms and associated incentives in the coming days, with necessary allocations budgeted for this and next year.

He noted that the Housing and Urban Development Corporation's role extends beyond teachers, stating, "We are working to support and develop it so its new programs encompass broader categories of citizens and employees we have already begun this initiative over recent months."

The Prime Minister also referenced the allocation of all outstanding emergency financial advances for teachers, with complete disbursement of all requests to be finalized before month's end, emphasizing that these decisions constitute "an integrated package to support teachers this represents our duty and role as government and the Ministry of Education."

Regarding development projects in governorates, the Prime Minister noted that this marks the ninth Cabinet session held in governorates, emphasizing that this represents an established institutional approach for crafting each governorate's development vision in partnership with elected and representative councils "to identify priorities for programs and projects the governorate requires across sectors, within available resources and clear timeframes we commit to and remain accountable for."

On development projects in Balqa Governorate, the Prime Minister acknowledged that the water sector presents a significant challenge for residents and the nation as a whole. He announced that the government will undertake extensive projects at a total cost exceeding 340 million dinars over 2025-2028.

These projects will encompass rehabilitating, restructuring, and maintaining water and irrigation networks, and establishing sewage lines and projects in Deir Alla, Karama, South Shouneh, Mahis, Fuheis, Buqaa, and other areas throughout the governorate.

He referenced his first field visit to Princess Iman Government Hospital in Ma'adi, whose expansion had been delayed for years under extremely difficult conditions.

He noted the inauguration of a new hospital building earlier this month, completed within seven months of his visit, with the second phase expansion of the old building to be finished in less than a year.

The Prime Minister emphasized that field visits demonstrate the importance of interventions and measures taken and their direct impact on citizens, confirming they are essential for correcting deficiencies and ensuring accountability: "These are not courtesy visits but visits to accomplish what has not been accomplished, because we can leave a genuine impact on citizens' lives if we are determined to do so and to strengthen confidence in government this is our role and duty as directed by His Majesty."

He added that numerous programs and projects will be implemented for this governorate across transportation, industry, culture, environment, youth, and agriculture sectors, with the government committed to their execution.

Regarding political modernization and local administration, the Prime Minister noted that the government has begun holding meetings to discuss Royal Committee recommendations for political system modernization related to improving legislation governing local administration, aimed at enhancing governance and elevating performance in citizen service, implementing the Royal Letter of Designation and the government's ministerial statement commitments.

He affirmed that these meetings, dialogues, and discussions will continue through the coming period with various stakeholders to achieve desired objectives that align with and support the political modernization trajectory while ensuring governance in this sector as a fundamental priority.

The Prime Minister concluded his remarks by saying, "God willing, through the resolve and wisdom of our Hashemite leadership, the combined efforts of our institutions, and our internal solidarity, our homeland will remain proud, impregnable, and strong. The march of progress and achievement will continue through our partnership and unity around our nation, and we will spare no effort in pursuit of this goal."


//Petra// AA

25/06/2025 13:16:02