Khaberni - The Energy and Mineral Resources Parliamentary Committee, through its chairman Ayman Abu Hania, valued the government's response to the recommendations it presented after its meeting with the Minister of Industry and Trade and several officials last Monday.
The committee praised the swift reaction and decision-making and the referral of the case to the judiciary, reaffirming the House of Representatives' confidence and pride in the fair and honest Jordanian judiciary, which constitutes a fundamental pillar in reinforcing the principle of the rule of law.
The "Parliamentary Energy" committee emphasized that the lives of citizens are a red line that cannot be crossed.
It is noted that the committee recommended the following during its meeting:
1 - The immediate referral of the case file to the competent judiciary, as the decisive authority, with affirmation of complete trust in the Jordanian judiciary and its integrity in resolving it.
2 - Increasing penalties for anyone proven to be involved in manufacturing, importing, or trading non-compliant heating devices or those that pose a danger, including fines, imprisonment, closure of the establishment, prohibition of activity, and holding the offender fully responsible.
3 - Restricting the use of this type of heating devices exclusively to outdoor locations, or outright banning their importation, manufacture, and trade if proven to conflict with public safety requirements.
4 - Clearly defining institutional responsibilities among professional bodies and establishing a protocol for rapid response to recurring accidents, including the activation of emergency messages (SMS) on cell phones to warn citizens, akin to systems used internationally.
5 - Launching awareness campaigns before the winter season, including educational institutions and media, about the dangers of heating devices and safe usage mechanisms.
6 - Directing the government to provide safe and low-cost heating alternatives, based on data indicating that approximately (48%) of citizens rely on low-cost heating methods.
7 - Studying the reduction of kerosene prices during the winter season for low-income groups through a specific and clear support mechanism.
8 - Emphasizing comprehensive accountability and obliging the relevant authorities to precisely identify technical, administrative, and supervisory responsibilities and to hold accountable anyone proven negligent, to ensure such incidents are not repeated.
9 - Promptly reviewing and updating the mandatory standard specifications for home heating devices, particularly gas heaters, to align with the best international standards and practices in public safety.
10 - Studying the mandatory installation of approved safety systems (such as safety valves and carbon monoxide sensors) in home heating devices as a basic condition for licensing and trade in the local market.
11 - Establishing a unified and permanent inspection and monitoring system among the Standards and Metrology Institution, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Public Security Directorate, with the implementation of surprise and intense inspection campaigns during the winter season.
12 - Obligating manufacturers and importers to implement a product tracing system (Batch Tracking) ensuring the ease and speed of withdrawing products from the market upon proving any technical defect or danger to public safety.
