Speech from Throne gives ‘strategic’ guidance for gov’t — Momani

AMMAN — Minister of State for Media Affairs and Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani on Thursday said that His Majesty King Abdullah’s Speech from the Throne at the opening of the second ordinary session of Parliament represents a “strategic” national guidance for the legislative and executive authorities. 

In his weekly interview on the Jordan Television’s morning show “News and Dialogue”, Momani said that the speech reflected the Royal vision on work priorities in the upcoming stage and included important indications that should be considered in the government›s work.

Momani, who is also the government spokesman, said that it directed the three branches of government to continue cooperating to accomplish their duties in all fields, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

He added that the speech included positive encouragements and a praise to what had been achieved in the extraordinary session, during which Parliament endorsed judicial reform laws that were proposed by the Royal Committee for the Development of Judiciary.

The minister noted that the speech referred to the reports and documents including governmental policies, especially the “accomplishment report”, which outlines the reform process in various sectors, which the government had referred to the King.  

Momani stressed that the next stage requires going forward in applying the self-reliance principle so as to reach deficit-free budgets, with revenues equalling expenditures, so as to protect the national economy. 

He emphasised that the government has adopted clear policies towards the public, and acquainted them with the real economic situation through providing logical reasons for economic reform decisions that were a result of decreasing foreign aid. 

In light of its large administrative personnel and hike in unemployment rates among young people, the minister said that the government has allocated funds to implement programmes, under the supervision of the Labour Ministry, to substitute guest workers with Jordanians.

He added that the private sector provides jobs for the youth, where they can enjoy job stability and receive social security insurance, just like in the public sector.

Finally, Momani referred to the draft law of the general budget and budget of the independent government units that was discussed during Wednesday›s Cabinet session, adding that it is now in its final stages and is scheduled to be endorsed early next week before being sent to Parliament.