Qawas: Abdali Project Acquisitions are a Trespass on Citizen's Rights
07 Jul 2005AMMAN – Dr. Awdeh Qawas, Jordanian MP, stated that the actions taken against land owners and tenants living in the Abdali area, whose properties lie between Al Quds College and the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Group offices extending to the Armed Forces complex and which were acquired by the Abdali Regeneration Project, is considered a trespass on the rights of citizens and all standards of humanity.
In a memorandum addressed to each of the Prime Minister, the Chief of the Royal Hashemite Court and the Lower House Speaker, Qawas appealed for justice towards residents of Jebel al-Webdeh and assistance in restoring their rights.
At a press conference in the Chamber of Deputies that took place yesterday, the MP remarked that the decision of the Provincial Committee for Urban Planning and Construction No. 367 dated 30/05/2005 which includes placing land plots in Jebel al-Webdeh under study with the intent of acquisition, and the prevention of sales, licensing and construction of buildings while suspending licensed construction work on buildings, and issuing warnings to stop all forms of construction or else risk facing sanctions, are all violations on basic citizen rights.
He revealed that residents, land and company owners as well as investors in the aforementioned area have also presented a memorandum to the Prime Minister, Chief of the Royal Court and Lower House Speaker explaining their situations.
The memorandum revealed that two years ago, the entire area was placed under signal acquisition, the reason behind which was the establishment of the Conference Palace which led residents to file an official objection to the Public Liberties Committee in Parliament. The Chamber acted swiftly by discussing the issue with the concerned officials to ensure the restoration of citizens' rights. These efforts were granted the royal blessing; however, the case resurfaced under the umbrella of the Provincial Committee where the Amman Municipality started issuing warnings to all licensed construction sites to halt their work and prevented the license renewal of commercial shops in the mentioned area.
The memorandum added that despite the fact that no law has so far been issued regarding the acquisition of the mentioned area, with the exception of lease properties, the Provincial Committee's decision is a strong indicator for the intent of acquisition and the Municipality refused to present a copy of the decision to either the residents of the area or their representative in parliament, MP Awdeh Qawas.
Meanwhile, residents unanimously confirmed in their message their loyalty and allegiance to their country, stating that the Provincial Committee's decision has generated a feeling of a loss of their rights which led to their rejection of that decision regardless of the value of compensation offered to them as well as a rejection to the methodology used by certain officials which have resulted in the issuance of random decisions and policies that aim to confuse residents, shop and land owners, pointing out that residents are well aware that acquisition aims for expansion to any governmental party willing to sell for the benefit of the Abdali Project or any of its partners.
It is worth mentioning that the stated area is home to 152 families as well as investments such as Al Quds College, which accommodates 3000 students and 250 employees, the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Group which includes 300 employees and the Abu-Setta Investment Group which includes 150 employees in addition to many others.
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