Ramtha, Nov. 16 (Petra) –Minister of Local Administration Walid Masri laid the foundation stone on Sunday for the project to develop and rehabilitate Al Ekaider Landfill, one of the Kingdom’s key environmental and public-service enterprises, with funding provided entirely by the European Union.
The EU allocated around EUR 40 million for the landfill upgrade as part of a broader EUR 100 million support package for Jordan’s solid-waste management strategy.
Talking at the ceremony, Masri said the project is a "strategic" investment aligned with the government’s efforts to implement the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II on comprehensive modernization, improve essential services, and ensure sustainable infrastructure.
Established in 1981, Al Ekaider Landfill is the Kingdom’s second-largest dumpsite after Ghabawi.
The site serves 33 municipalities across Irbid, Jerash, Ajloun, and parts of Mafraq, receiving an average of 1,500 tonnes of waste daily on a site spanning 969 dunums.
Masri noted that the landfill has faced mounting pressure in recent years due to rising waste volumes and the direct impact of the Syrian refugee crisis, making its development an environmental and national priority.
The upgrade includes rehabilitating the old site and existing cells, constructing new sanitary cells over 200 dunums, and installing integrated systems for leachate collection, storage, and treatment, as well as gas-capture systems for existing and old cells.
All site facilities, including buildings, access roads, and service infrastructure, will also be upgraded to meet international environmental standards.
Construction began in March, with a 26-month execution period slated for completion in May 2027.
Masri stressed that the EU’s EUR 100 million support formed the backbone of national waste-management projects, noting the contributions of the French Development Agency and international partners including UNDP, German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
In turn, EU Ambassador to Jordan Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas said the launch of Al Ekaider’s rehabilitation works reflects the positive outcomes of the partnership between the Ministry of Local Administration, the French Development Agency, and the EU.
He added that the fully EU-funded EUR 40 million project is progressing as planned and forms a central component of the EU’s broader EUR 100 million support to modernize Jordan’s waste-management system.
He also commended Jordan’s ambition to expand private-sector participation in this vital sector, calling it an important step toward innovation and sustainability.
French Ambassador Franck Gellet underlined the strength of cooperation between the EU, France, and Jordan, describing it as a successful model supporting the Kingdom’s environmental priorities.
He said the rehabilitation and expansion of the Al Ekaider landfill, the closure of old sites, and the modernization of operational systems aim to protect the environment and enhance municipal services, ultimately improving quality of life in northern governorates.
He added that the project also includes a capacity-building program for the Ministry of Local Administration, the Ministry of Environment, and municipalities in areas such as operations, environmental monitoring, and maintenance, affirming France’s and the EU’s continued commitment to supporting Jordan’s transition to a more sustainable and circular economy.
Sharif Saifi, representing Masar United Contracting co. presented the project’s components and environmental goals, including sanitary landfilling units, a leachate treatment facility, and a gas-collection system with potential for future energy production.
The ceremony was attended by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Environment, the Acting Technical Secretary-General of the Ministry of Local Administration, and representatives and the project development partners.
//Petra// NQ
