Royal Directives: Issawi meets with Northern Badia dignitaries to follow up on demands

AMMAN — Following His Majesty King Abdullah’s meetings with dignitaries and representatives of the Northern Badia last week and upon Royal directives, Royal Court Chief Yousef Issawi on Thursday at the Royal Court met with several dignitaries to follow up on any other demands and proposals.

At the beginning of the meeting, Issawi, who is also head of the follow up committee for the implementation of Royal initiatives, said that the Northern Badia is “dear” to King Abdullah, adding that the residents of the area have played a large role in the Kingdom’s development process, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

He added that this meeting was held upon His Majesty’s directives, noting that all demands and needs will be considered in coordination with all stakeholders prior to their implementation and depending on the available resources in a way that corresponds with the government’s programmes.

The chief said that King Abdullah always stresses the importance of alleviating burdens of citizens, mainly challenges related to poverty and unemployment and that His Majesty seeks to provide a decent living and to ensure security and stability for all citizens. 

Issawi noted that His Majesty believes that Jordanians have “potential and energies that should be well directed and invested”, mainly among the youth, whom King Abdullah hopes can realise positive change. 

He added that the initiatives and the projects that have been implemented over the past few years in the Northern Badia in various development and service sectors included 100 housing units for underprivileged families, establishing a satellite factory that provided some 400 jobs, and supporting productive schemes for cooperative associations. 

Meanwhile, the demands of Northern Badia dignitaries focused on finding solutions to poverty and unemployment, stressing the need to support farmers, boost employment programmes, improve educational, cultural and health services, and develope the infrastructure. 

At the end of the gathering, which was attended by several concerned ministers, Issawi stressed that all demands and needs will be considered and followed up on in cooperation with the relevant government institutions and partner civil society organisations.