Jordan Times
Tuesday, November 2, 2004
Political development plan
still a priority — Khader
AMMAN (JT) — The government on Monday asserted that the country's political
development plan was still a priority and that there were no intentions to
abandon it.
In statements to the press during her weekly briefing, Culture Minister and
Government Spokesperson Asma Khader said the Ministry of Political Development —
created a year ago to enliven the dormant political arena and boost public
participation — was still in place and that the new minister would present the
Cabinet with development plans and a timetable for implementation.
Questions about the ministry's role and the government's seriousness to proceed
with declared plans to beef up political discourse and activity, increased
following the creation of the ministries of government performance and public
sector reform as part of last month's Cabinet reshuffle.
The establishment of the two new portfolios was seen as a shift in government
priorities.
Prime Minister Faisal Fayez has said his government was serious about the
administrative development process and stressed he would resist all attempts to
deviate from the goals of improving and upgrading citizens' living conditions.
He said the new ministries should be seen through the wider perspective of
comprehensive development.
A three-day Cabinet retreat last weekend, culminated in government plans to
embark on “quality and structural changes” in its work and design making
mechanisms.
Each ministry is expected to set its priorities and action plans within one
month. Those proposals will be included in the 2005 budget.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Prime Ministry Affairs and
Government Performance Marwan Muasher is expected to hold a press conference
Wednesday to elaborate on the outcome of the retreat and government plans.
Accompanying Khader at the briefing, Department of Statistics Director General
Hussein Shakhatreh told the press that the national census conducted last month
was a success.
Shakhatreh said the census set the population at 5.290 million, compared with
4.139 million recorded in 1994. He said the figure, which represents a 2.5 per
cent annual population growth, includes 350,000 non-Jordanians living in the
Kingdom, including guest workers and Iraqis. He could not provide further
details, saying the results so far were preliminary.
According to Shakhatreh, a follow-up census would be carried out after Eid Al
Fitr, but would only cover a sample of the housing blocks or units (295 blocks)
of those covered in the previous census.