Khaberni - The Minister of Water and Irrigation, Raed Abu Al-Saud, affirmed the government's and the water sector's commitment to implementing the project according to the highest environmental and social standards, pointing out that transparency and community participation are fundamental elements for the project's success and enhancing its sustainability during a workshop to present the environmental and social impact disclosure results for the national carrier project.
Abu Al-Saud's statements came in the presence of the Minister of Environment, Ayman Sulaiman, the CEO of the National Carrier Company, Louis Pascual, representatives of relevant authorities and local communities, about the importance of the workshop held today, Monday, to present the results of the environmental and social impact disclosure for the national carrier project.
Abu Al-Saud pointed out that this strategic project is one of the most important national projects supporting the royal directives to find sustainable solutions in the water sector, and to implement the water sector strategy for the years 2023-2040, within the framework of the economic modernization vision. The project aims to provide additional water quantities to the kingdom, focusing on achieving water security and expanding the scope of sustainable development.
Abu Al-Saud added that holding this workshop with broad participation from partners and stakeholders represents an important step towards understanding the potential environmental and social impact of the project, particularly its impacts on the environment, health, and the local community. He confirmed that the goal is to monitor the project's impacts during the construction and operation phases, and to ensure the application of effective management and environmental oversight in line with legislation and international standards, while enhancing community participation in all stages of the project.
The minister emphasized that effective partnership between the water sector and other sectors, as well as cooperation with local communities, are fundamental pillars for the success of this pioneering national project, asserting that these partnerships will contribute to achieving the goals of sustainable development and national water security, in addition to improving the level of public services and increasing performance effectiveness while reducing costs.
In turn, the Minister of Environment, Ayman Sulaiman, pointed out that the national carrier project is one of the strategic projects significant for addressing water challenges in Jordan. He added that the environmental, social, and economic impact assessment study was prepared in accordance with national legislation and best international practices, with clear procedures to mitigate potential negative impacts and management and monitoring plans. He confirmed that protecting the environment and caring for the social dimension are crucial pillars to ensure the sustainability of the project and to achieve water security for future generations.
Sulaiman mentioned that the disclosure and consultation session represents a commitment to the importance of transparency and involving the local community as a real partner in decision-making, explaining that listening to comments from official entities and civil society institutions contributes to improving the quality of the study and enhances public trust in the project.
In the same context, Louis Pascual, CEO of the National Carrier Company, highlighted the strategic importance of the project for addressing water scarcity challenges in Jordan. He emphasized the necessity of implementing the project in a sustainable and responsible manner, with all parties involved committing to applying the highest environmental and social standards, in addition to enhancing transparency and community participation at all stages of the project, to ensure fair management of potential impacts.
Mai Abu Tarboush, Director of Environment, Community and Governance at the National Carrier Company, gave an extensive presentation on the project's responsibilities in the areas of environment, community, and governance, highlighting the project's goals, disclosure mechanisms, and compliance requirements with environmental and social legislation.
On his part, the Technical Executive Director of the project, Ramzi Tarzi, reviewed details related to the project, focusing on surveys and studies related to project designs, and defining its course, in addition to presenting construction timelines.
In conclusion, an extensive dialogue was held among the attendees on various aspects of the project, including biodiversity, marine matters, cultural and social heritage, emphasizing the importance of sustainable partnership with local communities in all stages of the project implementation.
