Aqaba silos tender worth JD10m, not JD70m — investigation

AMMAN — Initial results reached by an investigation team of the Jordan Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission (JIACC) on the Aqaba's silos explosion incident revealed that the value of the tender stood at JD10 million and a reserve of JD1 million, a JIACC source said on Wednesday. 

The source added that the money was allocated to remove and demolish the old port which included 75 silos, fuel and gas reservoirs, among other facilities, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The source noted that the first payment of the tender has not yet been paid to the main contractor, refuting the news of the tender volume standing at more than JD70 million as "false". 

The investigation is expected to conclude within days, Petra added. 

An explosion took place on May 14, leaving six people dead and four injured, as several contracting companies were demolishing construction sites at the premises.

Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) has issued a statement stating that the cause of the explosion was due to “a spark from iron wielding or another electric source”, adding that ASEZA closed down the premises to allow rescue teams and investigators quick and easy access to the area.

In previous remarks to The Jordan Times, ASEZA Chief Commissioner Nasser Shraideh said the prosecutor tasked with investigating the incident charged a contracting and sub-contracting company that were tasked with demolishing the old port with causing the death and harm of individuals.