The Cabinet held a session on Sunday, chaired by the Prime Minister, Dr. Bisher Khasawneh and was briefed on a report presented from the investigation team into Aqaba gas leak incident, by Minister of Interior / Team Head Mazen Farayah.
Speaking at the session, Khasawneh said the investigation team into Aqaba incident, which was formed according to his directives under Farayah’s chairmanship, accomplished its task with the “utmost” efficiency and professionalism.
The PM pointed out that the investigation team, which brought together representatives from Jordan’s security department and concerned authorities in Aqaba, had completed its work with all persons directly involved in procedures that led to this unfortunate, sad and “unacceptable” incident.
Khasawneh said: “We have committed ourselves to His Majesty King Abdullah II’s directives to present findings of the investigation team’s work to public opinion in all transparency and clarity.”
Based on the team’s work results, a set of procedures were taken, including service termination of a number of officials directly concerned with the incident, the premier announced.
The termination decisions included Director General of Aqaba Company for Ports Operation and Management (ACPOM), a number of its officials, and Director General of Jordan Maritime Authority (JMA), he added.
Khasawneh said: “It is clear from the incident that an unacceptable shortcoming occurred in public safety procedures in the Aqaba port, and in dealing with these dangerous materials and the chain of monitoring,” adding that instructions at the port, were “unfortunately ineffective and deficient.”
As for the other course of the investigation team’s work, he said a set of recommendations were made, in relation to the required improvements in the Aqaba port’s operations and its public safety system.
Response of the government and state institutions was “at a very high level of professionalism and contributed greatly to alleviating direct effects on the health and safety of people exposed to the incident’s impacts,” pointing out hospitals in Aqaba dealt with cases with “effectively and competently,” according to the premier.
The field hospital, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Health in Aqaba, dealt with 45% of injuries, in addition to treatment provided by Prince Hashem Hospital and some private hospitals, he noted.
All these medical institutions, whether from the Ministry of Health or the Jordanian Royal Medical Services or the private sector, performed their duties “efficiently and professionally,” he pointed out.
“We extend our sincerest condolences to the victims’ families and wish a speedy recovery for the injured,” he said, noting that a small number of injured people are still receiving treatment in hospitals as a result of incident, who are generally in good health condition.
Source: Jordan News Agency