Local

AMMAN — An inspection team on Wednesday discovered two violations on water mains in Jiza in south Amman, according to a Water Ministry official.

The two violations entailed installing illegal pipes to divert thousands of cubic metres of freshwater for the irrigation of crops, the official said on Wednesday.

A joint team from the Water Ministry, the Jordan Water Company (Miyahuna), the Gendarmerie and the Public Security Department inspected the site during a campaign targeting Jiza District to remove violations on the water network and resources, noted the official, who preferred to remain unnamed.

“The first violation entailed the installation of an illegal pipe on a water main that was diverting water to a group of greenhouses located in Jiza,” he told The Jordan Times.

Meanwhile, the second pipe was transferring thousands of cubic metres of water to a number of farms in Um Rummaneh in Jiza, according to the official.

He said the offenders were referred to court.

The government recently announced that it was committed to putting an end to all water violations, describing water theft as a form of corruption. To this end, the government drafted new amendments to the Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ) Law.

Last month, the Lower House endorsed the draft amendments to the law, which grants WAJ and its employees the authority to enforce the law when they detect any water violations without the need to seek police support.

Also under the amendments, WAJ can confiscate any machinery and equipment used by violators to dig illegal water wells. The measure is part of the government’s crackdown on water violations.

Under Article 30 of the current version of the Water Authority of Jordan Law, violators are fined up to JD5,000 and jailed for two years, while Article 456 of the Penal Code stipulates that violators of water networks face three- to six-month prison terms and fines ranging between JD100 and JD1,000.

AMMAN — Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania visited Rainbow Street's Urdon Shop on Wednesday.

"A productive nation is a strong nation. I’m very proud of what I saw today at Urdon shop…Let’s all support 'Made in Jordan' #ABH," the King wrote on the Royal Court's Twitter account commenting on the visit.

Located on Othman Bin Affan Street, near Jabal Amman's Rainbow Street, Urdon Shop showcases "quality original products made by various local communities" in the Kingdom, according to its website.

AMMAN — Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) Deputy President Ahmed M. Elbetieha on Tuesday met with a visiting delegation from the US Binghamton University and discussed means to boost academic cooperation, according to a JUST statement.

Discussions also focused on boosting scientific research cooperation.

AMMAN — A health survey in the northern governorates and Zarqa showed that the influx of Syrian refugees has placed “huge” pressure on the medical sector.

The survey results were announced on Tuesday by the Health Ministry, WHO, UNCHR and Harvard University.

It also indicated that health facilities in these regions receive more than 1,533 Syrian refugees a day.

AMMAN — Egyptian Ambassador in Amman Khaled Tharwat on Tuesday called on Egyptian workers in Jordan to rectify their status before May 15, the end of the grace period set by the government, to avoid deportation.

In an embassy statement, Tharwat voiced understanding of the government’s measures to regulate the local market and take the necessary measures against illegal guest workers.

AMMAN — The Private Hospital Association (PHA) on Monday elected a new board, comprising representatives of seven hospitals: Specialty Hospital, Al Essra Hospital, Istiklal Hospital, Marka Islamic Speciality Hospital, Hamadiyeh Hospital, Al Rashid Hospital Centre and the Islamic Hospital – Aqaba.

Following the general assembly meeting, the newly formed board elected Fawzi Hammouri as president and Nael Masalhah as vice president.

Khaled Bakkar was elected as secretary and Rifat Al Masri as treasurer.

AMMAN — Jordan participated in the third meeting of Arab-Latin America culture ministers, which was held in Riyadh last week in a bid to build bridges of dialogue between Arab and South American cultures.

At the meeting, Culture Minister Lana Mamkegh said the Kingdom has proposed joint cooperation between the Arab world and South American countries in television and film production.

AMMAN — The political Parties Affairs Committee, chaired by Interior Minister Hussein Majali, on Tuesday approved the formation of a new political party, named “Al Shura Party”.

AMMAN — Social Development Minister Reem Abu Hassan on Tuesday inaugurated a fair showcasing products of Irbid charitable societies.

The minister underlined the importance of the three-day bazaar in marketing the products of charities and empowering families.

More than 40 societies are showcasing their products, which include food and clothing.

AMMAN — Several segments, mainly the labour sector, have benefited from the sale of state-owned companies, especially in terms of increases in salaries and incentives, Omar Razzaz, head of the Privatisation Evaluation Committee,  said on Tuesday.

During a brainstorming session with representatives of professional associations and labour unions organised by the Ministry of Political Development and Parliamentary Affairs, Razzaz said resorting to privatisation was justified at the time, taking into consideration the economic crisis Jordan faced during the 1980s.

The introduction of modern technologies and better performance was among the advantages of the privatisation process, he said.