Decentralisation is key

His Majesty King Abdullah’s recent field visit to the southern governorate of Karak to engage some of its dignitaries and former servicemen in a dialogue is part of his continuous efforts to stay in touch with Jordanians and keep abreast of their woes and concerns. 

The King has repeatedly asked the government to maintain contact with the people, especially in rural and remote areas where the most disadvantaged citizens live.

During his talks in Qasabat Al Karak, 132km south of Amman, the Monarch emphasised the pivotal role of decentralisation as the more efficient way for good governance and reaching out to people. 

With the heavy concentration of vital governmental services in the capital, residents of some parts of the country are left with no government official to turn to for solutions to their grievances. 

The King also called for a more expeditious way to implement alternative and renewable energy projects given the fact that the southern region is blessed with more than 300 days of sunshine a year.

Much rhetoric has been devoted to the grave energy crisis in the country and the urgent need to develop solar and wind power to remedy it in part at least.

What better place to start implementing renewable energy projects than the southern region. Employment opportunities are bound to increase in the least developed part of the country if its own abundant natural resources like the sun and wind are exploited in more energetic manner. 

Now is the time for the government to pick up where the King has left off by embarking on follow-up visits to make sure that the aspirations of vulnerable inhabitants of remote regions in the country are met.