Gov’t urged to initiate badia development projects

AMMAN — The Lower House Rural Areas and Badia Committee on Monday urged the government to support badia municipalities and initiate development projects to improve the living conditions of residents, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

During a meeting attended by Interior
Minister Salameh Hammad, Planning and International Cooperation Minister Imad Fakhoury and Municipal Affairs Minister Walid Masri, discussions covered major problems facing badia residents, which include environmental compensations, weak infrastructure and tribal wajihat — land designated for tribal communities for grazing and farming since the Ottoman era.

Members of the committee highlighted the importance of supporting livestock breeders and opening vocational training centres and gyms, in addition to activating the Badia Development Fund and improving infrastructure in the areas in question. 

Hammad said claims for tribal wajihat were suspended because many of the demands to recognise land allocations were “unfounded”.

For his part, Fakhoury said his ministry has started launching development programmes for the three badia areas, noting that several projects will be implemented there. 

He said schemes amounting to JD33 million during 2012 and 2013, and JD13 million in 2016, were carried out, which included supporting underprivileged families and preserving agricultural land. 

The minister added that plans are under way to implement programmes to boost productivity in poverty pockets, Petra reported.