Khaberni - Jerash Greater Municipality closed 17 shops in the craft city in two phases, due to the owner's non-compliance with renewing licenses and settling the due rents, according to the municipality’s executive director, Ali Shawqa, on Monday.
Shawqa told Al Mamlaka channel that the municipality took the closure decision after sending official communications and warnings to the shop owners, urging them to comply and settle the amounts due on them.
Shawqa explained that a number of owners have approached the municipality and submitted requests for financial settlements, which were approved according to the procedures in place, noting that the municipal council had decided to provide facilities for paying dues, allowing them to pay 20% of the amount and installment the rest.
Shawqa added that another number of shop owners did not submit settlement requests, despite repeated communication, which led to the initiation of closure procedures against them.
He noted that the total amounts due from the owners of the commercial shops exceed 650,000 dinars, pointing out that the municipality began closing the shops that have large amounts due on their owners, with dues ranging between 2,000 and 12,000 dinars.
Shawqa clarified that the craft city houses about 110 hangars, in addition to about 40 stores, explaining that approximately 50% of these shop owners are not committed to settling financial dues due on them.
He stated that the municipality recently established an office within the craft city, aimed at facilitating the review by shop owners, easing their burden, and directly providing them with necessary services.
