King calls for supporting GAM efforts to overcome challenges

AMMAN – His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday called for supporting the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) in performing its duties and addressing challenges facing it this year. 

In a visit to GAM headquarters, the King underlined the need to develop the municipality's comprehensive plans and programmes to improve the quality of services it provides to the level people aspire, according to a Royal Court statement.

He also called for increasing cooperation between GAM and public and private institutions to empower the municipality, not only as a service facility, but also as an institution that is concerned with the heritage, tourism and identity of Amman.

At a meeting with Amman Mayor Aqel Biltaji and members of the GAM council, King Abdullah noted that the tourism high season will soon start, which requires intensified efforts to develop the tourism product in the capital. 

He reiterated the need to preserve aesthetic aspects of Amman and strike a balance between modernisation and preserving the city’s identity.

The Monarch also stressed the need to focus on attracting local and foreign investments by highlighting the benefits of tourism-related investment in Amman, especially in the eastern parts of the capital. 

Meanwhile, the King directed GAM to draw up an action plan in cooperation with the concerned bodies to address hardships facing citizens when applying to receive the municipality's services.

The action plan should also adopt a clear manual for procedures that are required by applicants to obtain licences, and other approvals and documents. 

"Jordan's political situation has always been strong and the priority is given to develop the economy through fighting poverty and unemployment and providing best services to citizens," the King said. 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour underscored the government's commitment to supporting GAM and making sure that the bridges of communication and coordination are open between government agencies and the municipality. 

Highlighting that the municipality is not only concerned with providing services, he noted that it is a facet of Jordan’s culture, tourism, history and civilisation.

For his part, Biltaji cited the main schemes implemented or planned by GAM, including the Bus Rapid Transit project, which will be a "quantum leap" in the field of public transportation. 

On the other hand, he presented a briefing on the main challenges facing the municipality, such as the issues of sustainable development, waste management, traffic congestion, planning, population growth and societal advancement. 

"We will work with our utmost effort for Amman to be a first-class tourism destination through activating the conference tourism and hosting sports championships… we will also work to develop and modernise the transport sector to be equipped to serve citizens," the mayor said. 

Biltaji also noted that GAM is directing the urban extension towards the east of Amman.

President of the GAM financial committee, Bisher Jardaneh, said the panel focuses on rationalising consumption, maximising revenues and improving money collection mechanisms, while increasing capital investment and planning for GAM's financial sustainability in the long-run.

"The municipality's budget will stand at JD410 million in 2015, up from JD300 million in the previous year," he noted.