Amman: The Cabinet received a comprehensive briefing from the Minister of Local Administration, Walid Masri, regarding the current status of municipalities and the Cities and Villages Development Bank. The briefing aimed to address financial challenges, governance, and performance enhancement in the municipalities.
According to Jordan News Agency, Masri revealed during the briefing that in 2024, salaries accounted for 113% of the total government transfers allocated to municipalities from the general budget. This figure represents 70% of municipalities' total revenues, including both self-generated income and government transfers. Last year, municipalities and service councils generated total revenues of JD 340 million, with self-revenues making up 36% of this amount.
The Ministry of Local Administration conducted 16 random quality control inspections of tenders executed by municipalities, in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Works and Housing and the Royal Scientific Society. Only five tenders, valued at JD 2.5 million, met the required specifications, while 11 tenders, valued at JD 8.1 million, were found non-compliant. Nearly half of these non-compliant tenders were entirely rejected, prompting legal action in coordination with the Audit Bureau. Quality inspections are ongoing.
Masri highlighted that municipal debts and dues exceed JD 632 million, with an additional JD 55 million in uncollected debts owed by municipalities to other entities. He presented work plans and initiatives aimed at enhancing public services through increased automation, improved procedures, cost reduction, and consumption rationalization. Efforts are also underway to strengthen the financial stability and governance of the Cities and Villages Development Bank.
In other decisions, the Cabinet approved the rehabilitation and paving of roads leading to the new Princess Basma Hospital in Irbid, allocating the necessary funds to ensure access to the hospital once it becomes operational. This measure follows the Prime Minister's visit to the hospital last May, emphasizing the importance of completing work swiftly to enable the hospital to serve the community by September.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding between the National Centre for Epidemic and Communicable Disease Control and the Henry Ford Health Foundation. This agreement aims to foster cooperation on research and public health projects, facilitate educational and training exchanges, explore joint activities of mutual benefit, and leverage scientific expertise.
Lastly, the Cabinet appointed Abdel Halim Dougan as Secretary-General of the Ministry of Labour after he achieved the highest marks in a competitive examination conducted under the Government Leadership System.