Zarqa, June 21 (Petra) - Ministers on Sunday outlined major completed and planned infrastructure, investment, and public-service projects during a Cabinet session held in Zarqa Governorate.
Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abu Saud said the ministry is implementing a JD51 million wastewater treatment plant in Ghabawi and a JD31 million transmission pipeline linking the Ain Ghazal and Khirbet Al-Samra treatment plants.
The ministry also plans to construct a JD180 million wastewater treatment plant in Wadi Zarqa by 2028 and rehabilitate water networks in several parts of the governorate. Current rehabilitation projects are expected to improve water supplies for 43,000 subscribers.
Minister of Public Works and Housing Maher Abu Samen said the ministry completed infrastructure, road, and station works for the Amman-Zarqa Bus Rapid Transit project at a cost exceeding JD68 million.
Road projects under implementation or planning include maintenance of key highways and a JD3.75 million freight route linking the Azraq-Muwaqqar and Azraq-Safawi roads.
Acting Minister of Investment Muhannad Shehadeh said first-phase infrastructure works at Zarqa Industrial Estate are being implemented at an estimated cost of JD21.5 million.
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh said a JD28 million project to supply natural gas to the industrial estate is expected to be completed in 2029. The ministry is also supporting solar-energy and energy-efficiency projects for homes, farms, factories, municipalities, and government hospitals.
Minister of Health Ibrahim Bdour said the government plans to construct a 400-bed military hospital in Zarqa at an estimated cost of JD102 million, with completion expected in 2032.
The ministry is also expanding Prince Faisal Hospital, upgrading Zarqa Government Hospital’s intensive care capacity, and developing new health centers and outpatient facilities.
Minister of Environment Ayman Suleiman said projects in the governorate include reducing hydrofluorocarbon consumption, monitoring air and water quality, preventing illegal waste disposal, and rehabilitating the Azraq wetlands.
The ministry is also developing a 500-dunum forest with at least 20,000 trees and plans to establish an environmental park in Birayn.
Minister of Labor Khaled Bakkar said vocational training, employment, and financing programs are being expanded to support job creation, including a planned production facility in Birayn expected to provide 150 jobs.
Shehadeh, in his capacity as acting minister of industry and trade, said industrial-support programs are expected to create more than 1,100 jobs through current and upcoming phases.
//Petra// AO
