Press Release on May 26, 2009
Japan and Jordan Hold Ground-breaking Ceremony for Improvement of the Water Supply for the Zarqa District (Phase II)
Ambassador's Speech
(Arabic Release)
Japan and Jordan held the ground-breaking ceremony for the project of improvement of the water supply for the Zarqa district (phase Ⅱ) at the project site in Zarqa on May 26, 2009. The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Eng. Raed Abu Al Saud, Minister of Water and Irrigation, His Excellency Mr. Tetsuo Shioguchi, Ambassador of Japan to Jordan, officials from the Government of Jordan and representatives from Japanese consultant and construction companies.
This Grant Aid project, which is a part of the phase Ⅱ, is worth One billion One hundred and Ninety Two Million Japanese Yen(￥1,192,000,000), approximately Thirteen Million US Dollars (US$13,000,000) at the current exchange rate, and aims at improving water supply conditions in the Zarqa district by renovating the existing pipes, renewing pump stations, and thus enhancing the capacity of reservoirs. The total amount of the entire project (phase Ⅱ) is about Two Billion and Three Hundred Seventy One Million Japanese Yen (\2,371,000,000), approximately Twenty Five Million US Dollars(US$25,000,000).
The project (Phase Ⅰ) started in FY 2002 targeting the areas of east Zarqa city and Ruseifa municipality, which cost One Billion Seven Hundred and Twenty One Million Japanese Yen (\1,721,000,000), approximately Eighteen Million US Dollars(US$18,000,000).
The Phase II, which started in 2007, aims at improving water supply conditions, increasing actual water availability from 84 litter per day per person to 113 litter through reduction in the leakage amount from 31% to 25% by distributing water at an appropriate water supply pressure, and fair water distribution through optimum water distribution management in north of Zarqa city, Hashmeyeh and Sukhna municipalities.
Japan has extended financial and technical assistance in the field of developing water resources and reducing Non-Revenue Water. This assistance has been made through Japan’s firm recognition that stable and continuous water supply is imperative to the development of industrial, agricultural, social and other fields. (Please see attached supplemental information of Japan’s assistance in the water sector)
In his remarks at the ceremony, Ambassador Shioguchi assured that this project will be an important foundation for achieving sustainable socio-economic development through realizing stable water supply in Jordan. He also reiterated the critical importance of this year which marks the 10th anniversary of H.M. Abdullah's ascension to the throne, the 20th anniversary of the enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor, the 50th anniversary of the marriage of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan and the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Jordan. Since 1954, the two countries have cultivated close and friendly ties, based on principles of mutual respect and cooperation between the governments and people together with close friendly relationships amongst the two Royal Families.
