By Mohammad Ghazal

The Jordan times

AMMAN - Jordan and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) are expected to sign a $275-million grant agreement to finance major water projects in the northern Governorate of Zarqa during the first half of October, according to Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Dr. Jafar Hassan.

The grant will be used in implementing several water projects in Zarqa Governorate with a view to increase the quantity of treated water in the governorate, enhance the sewage network system and services, and reduce the percentage of water loss, the minister said during a meeting with The Jordan Times last week.

Projects to be implemented under the 2011-2015 grant agreement will help make available additional quantities of water for citizens and help enhance the health, social and environmental levels in the governorate in general.

“This agreement is very important. We have been working on it for a long time,” said the minister, who added that projects were selected in cooperation with local communities in Zarqa and concerned local entities.

The projects will help deliver a significant amount of treated water of about 100 million cubic metres when projects are completed, the minister said, explaining that the quantity will be vital for the area, which hosts a significant number of factories and plants. The city of Zarqa is the second most inhabited city after the capital.

MCC is a US nonprofit government corporation, which works with some of the poorest countries in the world to reduce poverty through promoting sustainable economic growth. Created by the US Congress in January 2004, MCC is based on the principle that aid is most effective when it reinforces good governance, economic freedom and investments in people.