محمد محسن عبيدات

Ministers of Local Administration, Education, Tourism, and Environment Visit Irbid to Follow Up on Development Projects

Nayrouz News Agency – Mohammad Mohsen Obeidat

As part of the government’s ongoing efforts to develop Jordanian cities and highlight their historical and architectural character, a high-level ministerial delegation conducted a field visit to Irbid Governorate. The delegation inspected the progress of the Irbid Downtown Redevelopment Project and the Dhahr Al-Tal area project, in addition to visiting several municipalities to assess ongoing development projects and public services.

The delegation included the Minister of Local Administration, Eng. Walid Al-Masri; Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Azmi Mahafzah; Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Dr. Emad Hijazin; and Minister of Environment, Dr. Ayman Suleiman, accompanied by the Head of Irbid Greater Municipality Committee, Imad Al-Azzam.

Reviving Downtown Irbid... A Comprehensive Urban Vision

During the tour, Eng. Walid Al-Masri emphasized that the visit comes within the government’s efforts to enhance coordination between the municipality and relevant ministries—particularly education and tourism—to establish an integrated vision for the area that combines educational, heritage, and tourism dimensions. The goal is to transform downtown Irbid into a vibrant urban and tourist hub.

Al-Masri noted that the downtown revitalization project is one of the long-awaited major development projects. He pointed out that significant progress has already been achieved, including the acquisition of several heritage houses to preserve the city’s traditional architectural fabric. Currently, work continues on the first phase of the project, which involves constructing a public park on Dhahr Al-Tal behind the Martyr Wasfi Al-Tal Industrial School, serving as a recreational space for residents and visitors alike.

He praised the rapid progress made by the Irbid Municipality in implementing high-quality urban development projects, such as the restoration of the old municipal building dating back to 1881 and the rehabilitation of the historic municipal staircase—one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks.

The minister also revealed future plans to relocate the Public Security Directorate building from its current site to a newly designated area for a modern facility. Additionally, the government intends to repurpose the "Al-Sabah School” building in a way that aligns with the cultural and urban identity of the redevelopment project.

Municipal–Ministerial Coordination for Developmental Integration

For his part, Head of the Irbid Greater Municipality Committee, Imad Al-Azzam, stated that the municipality operates within a participatory framework with various ministries—especially Education, Awqaf, and Tourism—to ensure the success and sustainability of the project. He added that the municipality held several meetings with merchants and business owners in the downtown area to gather their input and suggestions regarding the implementation phases, aiming to reach a consensus-based vision that balances public and private interests.

Al-Azzam explained that the project is not merely about beautification but about revitalizing the economic and cultural role of the downtown area, transforming it into a dynamic center for commercial, cultural, and tourism activities that reflects Irbid’s urban identity. He recalled that Irbid was chosen as the Arab Capital of Culture in 2022, underscoring its rich cultural and historical significance.

Field Visits to Al-Wasatiyah and Khalid bin Al-Waleed Municipalities

The tour also included a visit to Al-Wasatiyah Municipality, where the ministerial delegation met with Committee Chairman Eng. Fathi Khassawneh. The delegation was briefed on the municipality’s key projects, services, and future needs, with ministers reaffirming the government’s support for municipalities in their developmental mission.

The ministers also visited Khalid bin Al-Waleed Municipality, where they were received by Committee Chairwoman Eng. Rawya Gharaibeh, who accompanied the delegation on a field tour of the Umm Qais archaeological site, one of northern Jordan’s most prominent tourist attractions. The tour also included the newly established eco-lodge, expected to open officially in the coming months, which will serve as a unique addition to the region’s eco-tourism offerings.

Commitment to Continued Support and Institutional Cooperation

At the end of the tour, the ministers underscored the importance of continued teamwork and coordination among municipalities, ministries, and local institutions to ensure that development projects are implemented to the highest standards and in ways that best serve citizens. They stressed that Irbid possesses unique cultural, heritage, and tourism assets that qualify it to be a model for balanced development across the Kingdom.

The ministerial visit thus reflected the government’s deep commitment to developing Jordanian cities, strengthening their historical and architectural identity, and aligning these efforts with the national modernization vision pursued by the Jordanian state across all sectors.