Cabinet discusses pending gov’t decisions

AMMAN — Prime Minister Omar Razzaz on Monday chaired a Cabinet meeting to discuss several decisions expected to be announced following another meeting today.

A government statement, carried by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, quoted the premier as saying that the discussions in the “lengthy” meeting were over “priorities and starting drawing a future vision for the next stage, including a long-term plan and another for the medium term,” while there will be immediate measures to be taken to ease the difficult conditions of Jordanians “related to the economic situation, means to help them have their voice heard and their demands, especially with regards to the services the government provides”.

Razzaz vowed that the government would always follow an approach based on dialogue and communication to address the issues of concern to the public.  

In remarks to the press as the Cabinet members received citizens’ congratulating them for forming the government, Razzaz said that “we will go forward with this path and we know that the way ahead is very long “.

He stressed that joint action and positive communication with citizens, in addition to trust and dialogue in a planned manner, are the means that will lead to achieving what Jordanians aspire for.

The premier added that it was an honour for the government to meet with citizens, and it was an opportunity to communicate with civil community organisations and their representatives from all governorates on key issues.

Razzaz stressed that public money is people’s money and they have the right to know how it is spent, while the government has to set priorities regarding public spending on this basis.

Regarding the income tax draft law, Razzaz noted that the government pledged to withdraw it and start an expanded dialogue on the bill, adding that the government also pledged to reconsider the Civil Service By-law.

He stressed that financial reforms and tax burdens coupled with unjustified government expenditures do not go together, highlighting the need to reconsider all expenditures starting from those related to the prime minister, ministers and all public departments.

The premier noted that there might be serious justification for merging some public departments and that the government will have a clear vision before the end of this week on swift procedures of partnership with all stakeholders, including the Parliament, private sector, civil community organisations and youth, among others.

He said that there would be institutionalisation of mechanisms to receive complaints and suggestions, in order for all to be able to cast their views on all issues and challenges.