Irbid youths seek candidates with programmes, not slogans

IRBID — Youths in the northern governorate of Irbid say proposals for economic development plans are absent from candidates’ programmes, ahead of the parliamentary vote on Tuesday. 

In recent remarks to The Jordan Times, young residents of several parts of the governorate, some 80km north of Amman, said candidates promise to address major economic issues but fail to give answers about their solutions. 

“Candidates say they will work on fighting poverty and reducing unemployment rates but they never say how,” said Mohammad Sharairi, a resident of the city of Irbid. 

Sharairi, a lecturer at a private university, said those who are running for the Lower House polls should have come up with plans for economic development projects to create job opportunities in the governorate, which has a population of 1.77 million, the second most heavily populated governorate in the Kingdom after Amman.

Khaled Gharaibeh, also a resident of the city, said he had looked at the programmes of several candidates but none spoke of comprehensive development. 

“They all read from the same page by giving similar broad slogans on fighting corruption and poverty or unemployment,” he added. 

When asked about the type of investments that suit Irbid, Gharaibeh said the city is capable of attracting investments in the IT industry, medical tourism and tourism.  

Ziad Obeidat, from Bani Kinanah District, also criticised the slogans of candidates. 

The university student said voters, particularly youths, want to see detailed plans or programmes that can make a difference to development in the region. 

“For example, our district is rich with olive trees. But unfortunately, no candidate talked about investing in the olive oil sector,” he said, explaining that a factory for olive oil and pickled olives could create dozens of jobs for residents. 

Muthana Malkawi, also from Bani Kinanah, which is part of Irbid’s 2nd electoral district along with Ramtha, said the northern region is “neglected” in terms of tourism promotion, adding that no candidate has proposed to campaign for the sector. 

Irbid hosts several tourist attractions such as Um Qais, Pella and the therapeutic hot springs of Al Himma. 

“To be honest, no candidate so far has interested me with the programme he or she is offering. They all speak about general issues,” said Dirar Reshdan.