One would have thought that the repeated government calls for rationing were part of a comprehensive vision that preceded the recent instructions. So how can the senior officials explain such spending? 

This has raised questions in my mind.

An official premier’s circular to all public departments to tighten the belt, on October 29, came months after his calls for austerity measures. So, was this delay intentional, to give time to some officials to buy new cars and furniture?

The document, signed by the prime minister himself, specifically called for halting such purchases, in line with a 2005 Cabinet decision.

One would have thought that the repeated government calls for rationing were part of a comprehensive vision that preceded the recent instructions. So how can the senior officials explain such spending?

Did the government do a study on unnecessary expenses in some ministries? They spend the last dinar of their annual budgets even if there is no need, just to make sure their allocations for the year after do not shrink.

Also, is it a really needed to distribute official mail in eight-cylinder (V8) cars, while this can be done by motorcycle?

In order for the citizens to feel safe and secure, the government must prove that it is taking the country’s economic problems seriously and that officials mean what they say.


*Published in Jordan's THE JORDAN TIMES on Nov. 19, 2009.