Latest news with #Tafileh
Zawya
14-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: Over 29,000 electricity theft cases detected in 2024 — EMRC
AMMAN — Authorities uncovered 29,636 cases of electricity theft across the Kingdom in 2024, according to the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission's (EMRC) annual report. The violations were identified during 174,481 joint inspections carried out by the EMRC, electricity distribution companies, and the Public Security Directorate, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. The report also highlighted a major surge in smart meter installations, with 918,449 units deployed in 2024, a 161 per cent increase compared with 352,264 units in 2023. By the end of the year, about 1.68 million smart meters had been installed, covering 69.3 per cent of Jordan's 2.42 million electricity subscribers. Complete coverage was achieved in Tafileh, Salt, Madaba, and Ajloun. Renewable energy systems continued to grow under national sustainability efforts. The number of systems connected to the grid under the net metering scheme rose to 81,146, with a total capacity of 853 megawatts (MW). Another 656 systems operating under the wheeling scheme added 315 MW. EMRC also issued three new licenses for renewable electricity generation, with a combined capacity of 8.69 MW. Supporting the Kingdom's transition to green mobility, the number of public electric vehicle charging stations reached 110, with 65 new licenses issued in 2024. In terms of energy mix, conventional sources accounted for 58 per cent of electricity generation in 2024, followed by renewables at 27 per cent, oil shale at 14 per cent, and imported electricity from Egypt at 1 per cent. Despite growth in the renewable energy sector, the number of individuals licensed for installation and maintenance fell to 132, down from 238 in 2023. The report also detailed national consumption of oil derivatives, which totalled 3.645 billion litres, including 1.588 billion litres of 90-octane gasoline, 14 million litres of 95-octane, 1.805 billion litres of diesel, and 103 million litres of kerosene. Jordan currently operates 708 fuel stations, with 19 new licenses issued and 12 renewed in 2024. The Kingdom inaugurated its first compressed natural gas station in Al Risheh to support industrial energy use and efficiency. EMRC also launched a campaign to monitor fuel quality, with a focus on preventing the illegal blending of kerosene with diesel. A total of 862 inspections were conducted at fuel and gas facilities. The commission also issued 1,927 mineral export licenses, 3,000 import licenses, four mining rights, 178 quarry licenses, eight exploration permits, and 40 explosives expert licenses. Radiation and nuclear safety efforts remained robust. The commission issued 2,098 licenses and permits related to radiation, while 289 radiation devices and 621 radioactive materials were imported. Nine devices were exported, and 153 materials were re-exported. Radiation exposure levels for workers remained within legal limits, according to 682 monitoring reports and 6,796 assessments. The Kingdom also operated 109 fixed radiation monitoring devices at its border crossings, conducting more than 1.86 million radiation scans throughout the year.
Zawya
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
FAO, Norway conclude agrifood systems transformation project in Jordan
AMMAN — The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the government of Norway, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture in Jordan, on Monday held the closing ceremony for the 'impactful' project, "Transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems." Funded by the Norwegian embassy in Jordan, this initiative aimed to enhance food security and create decent work opportunities for vulnerable communities across the Kingdom, according to a FAO statement. The closing ceremony gathered key figures including Secretary-General of the Ministry of Agriculture Mohammed Hayari, who deputised for the minister of agriculture, Deputy Head of Mission at the Norwegian embassy Anniken Kleven-Gasser, and FAO Representative in Jordan Nabil Assaf. The event served as a crucial platform to showcase the project's achievements, gather direct insights from beneficiaries, and collaboratively discuss recommendations for maximising the impact of FAO's future endeavours in Jordan. This project targeted vulnerable Jordanian farmers and Syrian refugees residing in the governorates of Tafileh, Madaba, Irbid and Balqa. Through a comprehensive range of interventions, the initiative directly supported over 1,700 individuals and households, making a substantial contribution to their economic well-being and agricultural resilience. The beneficiaries were 'carefully' selected based on socio-economic criteria, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and community-based organisations, ensuring the inclusion of diverse vulnerable groups such as female-headed households, people with disabilities and the elderly. Assaf highlighted the project's 'significant and far-reaching' contributions. He noted that 321 beneficiaries received support through agricultural grant activities, while 275 beneficiaries benefited from training through Farmer Field Schools and Farm Business Schools. The initiative also provided 170 households with composting units, promoting sustainable waste management practices, Assaf said. He added that 204 beneficiaries gained improved access to essential financial services and vital agricultural markets, and the project created 840 temporary jobs, offering crucial income opportunities. In a 'notable' innovation, Assaf said that a fish farming system with a seasonal capacity of 43,000 fish was established, and a comprehensive assessment of food loss was conducted for three key crops, providing valuable data to inform strategies for waste reduction. "This project has truly made a tangible difference in the lives of many vulnerable individuals and families," said Assaf. "By focusing on crucial areas like capacity building, facilitating access to finance, and strengthening market linkages, we've empowered communities to cultivate more sustainable and resilient livelihoods within the broader agrifood system," he said. Klever-Gasser underscored the 'profound' importance of this collaborative effort, saying: 'Norway is proud to have supported this initiative, which has helped strengthen resilience and unlock opportunities for farmers, youth, and women in some of Jordan's most vulnerable communities.' 'We commend FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture for their leadership, and we deeply value the efforts of everyone who contributed to the project's implementation, from technical teams to local partners and beneficiaries. The knowledge and partnerships developed through this collaboration will continue to have an impact,' she added. Hayari also made remarks on the project's success, stressing the importance of cooperating with all relevant authorities to train the workforce, enable farmers to meet market needs, provide infrastructure to support agricultural exports, and enhance monitoring tools for quarantine pests and diseases. The project's core objective was to enhance the ability of Syrian refugees and Jordanian host communities in rural areas to 'successfully' participate in effective and sustainable agri-food systems, according to the statement. This was achieved through an integrated programme that included comprehensive training, the distribution of essential tools, improved access to microfinance and markets, and direct job creation. This initiative represents a crucial step towards fostering sustainable food security and creating decent employment opportunities, while advocating for the reduction of food waste, a critical factor for long-term sustainability and comprehensive rural development across Jordan, the statement added. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
27-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: In bid to boost investment, Cabinet announces incentives at Tafileh Industrial Estate
The Cabinet approves a package of investment incentives for the Tafileh Industrial Estate aimed at attracting businesses and creating job opportunities for local residents(Petra photo) - Incentives include free electricity for 3 years, land price cuts - Cabinet unveils set of service, development projects in Tafileh - Projects include environmental park, justice palace, public-private agricultural venture to empower youth, create Jobs AMMAN — Minister of Government Communications Mohammad Momani on Monday announced a series of Cabinet decisions taken during its session held in Tafileh Governorate, as part of the government's decentralisation and development drive. At a press conference following the meeting, Momani, who is also the government spokesperson, said that the Cabinet approved a package of investment incentives for the Tafileh Industrial Estate aimed at attracting businesses and creating job opportunities for local residents, according to a Prime Ministry statement. Momani said that the incentives include a full exemption from electricity tariffs for new investors whose projects are registered or established within one year of the decision. "Eligible investors will receive free electricity for three years from the start of operations," he added. "Land prices in the estate were slashed by 50 per cent, with the cost per square metre reduced to JD5, down from JD10 and previously as high as JD25, to encourage investment and reduce production costs." Momani also announced that the Cabinet tasked the Ministry of Justice with launching design and study tenders for the new Palace of Justice in Tafileh, with implementation scheduled to begin next year. As part of the government's environmental and tourism efforts, the Cabinet approved the establishment of the Aabel Environmental Park, which will include service facilities at a total cost of JD660,000. The Cabinet also approved the temporary leasing of the Al Tuwana Agricultural Station, located in Jurf Al-Darawish and spanning 224 dunums, to the Jordanian Engineers Association for five years, renewable upon approval. The lease is part of a public-private partnership project aimed at introducing modern agricultural technologies, boosting high-value crop production, and creating over 50 permanent jobs, in addition to seasonal employment opportunities. The project aligns with the goals of the Economic Modernisation Vision, particularly in empowering young agricultural professionals. To support the freight transport sector, the Council of Ministers endorsed a decision allowing the import of truck heads manufactured less than eight years before the clearance year, provided that an older registered vehicle is scrapped or re-exported. The move aims to reduce operational costs, enhance competitiveness, and ensure sustainability under the 'Quality of Life' pillar of the Economic Modernisation Vision, the statement said. Addressing long-standing contractor dues, the Cabinet approved procedures to settle municipal tender claims estimated at JD50 million, with payments scheduled for June. Contractors will be allowed to borrow up to JD50 million collectively from local banks, backed by government-issued guarantees. The total outstanding municipal debts to contractors currently stand at JD70 million. Additionally, the Cabinet instructed the Ministry of Public Works and Housing to implement the road leading to the Yarmouk Forest Eco-Lodge in Bani Kinanah District, Irbid Governorate, and allocate the necessary funding. The project aims to support local communities, generate job opportunities, and promote eco-tourism. As part of international cooperation, the Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding with the Malaysian government to enhance cooperation in the health sector through knowledge exchange and mutual benefit. Momani opened the press conference by congratulating Jordanians on the 79th Independence Day, expressing national pride and unity on the occasion. He noted that the Tafileh session was the eighth Cabinet meeting held outside the capital and reaffirmed the government's commitment to implementing all announced projects, with funding allocated in the general budget. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
