Worker seen neck-deep in water was 'doing his job' — Zarqa mayor

AMMAN — Mohammad Saleh, who was photographed neck-deep in water while working to open a manhole in Zarqa, was simply doing his job during difficult weather conditions as a municipality employee, Mayor Imad Momani said on Sunday.

The Egyptian worker's photo was widely shared by Jordanians on social media during the weekend. 

"This heroic scene is a daily experience by our employees during winter because they do their best to make life easier for Zarqa residents," Momani told The Jordan Times over the phone.

The mayor noted that Saleh's actions show the dedication and loyalty of the municipality's workers towards their city, adding that the municipality awarded Saleh by supporting him to perform umra (the lesser Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca). 

"He wanted to perform umra so we helped him... and we gave him a sum of money as a reward as well," Momani said.  

He said the city faces difficulties in winter due to its outdated rainwater drainage infrastructure. 

"There are 100 manholes in a city populated by 2 million people. This needs daily hard work in winter to make sure that they are not blocked. This system needs to be developed," the mayor added.