Amman, April 9 – The Senate Agriculture and Water Committee, chaired by Senator Dr. Akef Al-Zoubi, reviewed the latest developments in the National Water Carrier Project.
This came during a meeting on Wednesday with the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Dr. Jihad Al-Mahamid, and the project manager, Engineer Issa Al-Wer.
Senator Dr. Al-Zoubi stated that the water sector is a Jordanian priority that His Majesty King Abdullah II is continuously monitoring to implement the water strategy and monitor developments in the National Water Carrier Project.
He emphasized that the committee's meeting was held to review the latest developments related to the National Water Carrier Project, considering it a vital national project and a priority that contributes to achieving water security and serves to secure a water source in light of its scarcity.
He pointed out the importance of implementing, in addition to the National Water Carrier Project, several projects in water harvesting, exploring new water sources, and continuing to explore deep water.
For his part, Dr. Al-Mahamid stated that the challenges facing the water sector, primarily population growth and scarcity of water resources, have made this issue a royal priority. He noted that His Majesty the King has directed that responsibility be assumed for achieving the water strategy.
He emphasized that the water budget covers all uses and includes several sources, including surface water, groundwater, and other water sources at smaller rates. He explained that, despite the scarcity of water resources and low rainfall rates, most regions of the Kingdom are covered by drinking water. He noted that sustainability is a key factor in the national carrier project, in terms of quality and cost.
For his part, Engineer Al-War reviewed the latest developments in the national carrier project, noting that several annexes have been completed, while 17 annexes of the agreement signed with the developer remain pending.
He stated that the financial closure of the national carrier project is underway and will be completed by the end of this year, allowing the project to begin implementation. He indicated that the project is progressing according to the specified timetable, in preparation for the start of construction work at the beginning of next year.
The committee recommended maintaining communication with the Ministry of Water and Irrigation regarding the water file, implementing the water strategy, and continuing to follow up with the management of the national carrier project to monitor developments in project implementation.
It noted that the penalty clause imposed on each party in the event of failure to achieve financial closure is not dependent on the agreement of the contracting parties, as a third party, the financing party, is involved in achieving financial closure. It called for the ministry and government to develop a backup scenario in the event that financial closure is not achieved.