Jordanian government denies payment problems

Contractors in Jordan claim the government owes them for work done.

Contractors in Jordan are accusing the Hashemite Kingdom’s government of failing to pay outstanding bills, according to a local newspaper.

Speaking to the Jordan Times, several contractors complained that they were waiting on the government to pay them, leaving them with crippling fines and interest payments.

“It is cheaper for the government to borrow money from banks than delaying the financial claims of the contractors,” said Jordan Construction Contractors Association president Dirar Sarayreh, who said the government’s outstanding bill was around US $165 million (JOD117 million).

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“Around 99% of contractors are suffering due to the delay in receiving their financial claims. This has affected our image with clients and employees,” said a contractor speaking on condition of anonymity.

Economic adviser to the prime minister Mohammad Rawashdeh, said the government owed the construction contracting sector only $38 million, of which $28 million was paid before Eid-al-Adha.

Independent governmental institution such as the Greater Amman Municipality and electricity companies, which are not part of the state’s central budget, owe the majority of these dues, he explained.

“The contractors’ problem will be solved soon as more amounts of money will be paid to them,” Rawashdeh added.