Jordan Times
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
More time needed to
evaluate gov't performance — spokesperson
By Khaled Nuaimat
AMMAN — Government Spokesperson Nasser Judeh on
Monday said that 100 days were not enough to evaluate the executive authority's
performance, noting that it needs more time to fulfil its promises and
commitments.
Commenting on a poll released Saturday by the University of Jordan's Centre for
Strategic Studies, Judeh told reporters at his weekly press briefing that he had
reservations on certain questions and findings by the poll, which showed a drop
in the government's popularity since its formation in November 2005.
The evaluation of the performance of the government showed that 59 per cent of
the national sample, made up of 984 respondents from the general public, said
the government of Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit has successfully carried out its
job.
In December, 72 per cent said they expected he would be able to carry out his
mission.
But opinion leaders gave the premier the same high marks for performance (74 per
cent) after his first 100 days in office.
Judeh said that the government does not work to gain popularity through opinion
polls.
"This government was formed by a clearly defined Royal letter of designation and
a policy statement that reflected these Royal directives and that gave it the
confidence of the Lower House of Parliament," Judeh told the weekly press
conference at the Prime Ministry.
However, the government spokesperson said that there are some indications in the
poll the government would take into consideration, adding that it is working
diligently to implement its policy statement and should be given the time needed
to do so.
Gov't to maintain equal opportunities' policy
By Khaled Nuaimat
AMMAN — The government will maintain policy of equal opportunities when
appointing senior public sector officials, based on each position's
requirements, Minister of Political Development and Parliamentary Affairs Sabri
Rbeihat said on Monday.
Rbeihat told journalists, during the weekly press conference, that any Jordanian
qualified to fill a vacancy in the public sector should apply through the
concerned minister, who will short-list 10 applicants according to the
requirements of the post.
The Higher Category Employment Selection Committee, which consists of the
ministers of justice, public sector reform, political development and
parliamentary affairs, as well as the president of the Civil Services Bureau,
will conduct interviews in the presence of the concerned minister.
Rbeihat announced that 1,000 applications had been received for the post of
Social Security Corporation director general, adding that the selection process
is still in the preliminary stage.
He explained that the government is committed to ensuring that the appropriate
persons fill vacant positions, with no favouritism. The minister said equal
opportunity is one pillar of the political, administrative, social and
economical reforms process being implemented by the government