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A road grader and one of 32 heavy equipment vehicles delivered by U.S. to nine municipalities across jordan to address community needs. |
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BEREEN - The United States today delivered 32 pieces of heavy equipment worth more than USD2 million to nine municipalities across Jordan. The equipment consisted of road graders, waste compressors, sweepers, water tankers and construction vehicles. Citizens in each of the communities worked with their municipal officials to discuss community needs. Today's handover matched citizen priorities with the resources they require to address community needs.
At a handover ceremony in Bereen municipality held under the patronage of H.E. Prime Minister Dahabi and attended by American Ambassador Stephen Beecroft, Secretary General of the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation Nasser Shraideh, Minister of Municipal Affairs H.E. Shihadeh Abu Hdeib, and the mayors of nine municipalities, Ambassador Beecroft praised the efforts of citizens and municipal officials. He said, "Locally-elected mayors and city councils worked with citizens groups to agree on local needs and priorities and how resources should be spent. This was done transparently and publicly. Debates ensued and decisions were made. This is the best tradition of local democracy."
The equipment was purchased under a local governance development program funded by the Millennium Challenge Corporation and administered the U.S. Agency for International Development. In partnership with the Government of Jordan, technical experts work with municipalities to enhance citizen engagement in local affairs and decision-making. The program also funds light infrastructure projects such as municipal halls, community centers, security walls for schools, street lights, and renovations for municipal buildings.
Local officials who received the machinery on behalf of their municipalities were: Mayor Aref al Rwajeeh of Madaba; Mayor Jeries Sweis of al Fuheis; Mayor Moustafa al Gahzo of al Shafa; Mayor Radwan al Shaer of Jerash; Mayor Waleed Nawaflah of Rabiet al Kura; Mayor Mohammad Katatbah of Burqush; Mayor Rana al Hajaya of al Hassa; Mayor Abdel Rahman Tawarah of Shobak; and Mayor Mohammad al Ghoweiri of Bereen.
For nearly 60 years, the United States has cooperated with Jordan in providing $5.6 billion in economic assistance.
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