His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday stressed that the Kingdom is moving ahead with a planned decentralization programme, which will encourage greater citizen participation in the decision-making process and in the management of local affairs.

Addressing over 500 community leaders in Tafileh during a visit to the southern governorate Tuesday, King Abdullah said the government is implementing clear plans and projects to meet the needs of the governorate, with a population of about 83,000.

During the visit, the King said he would follow up on the implementation of projects in the governorate to ensure that they lead to prompt improvements in the living conditions for Tafileh residents, enhance services and infrastructure, and create jobs.

"Be assured that we will do all we can to improve conditions in Tafileh and throughout the Kingdom," King Abdullah said, stressing that residents of Tafileh will soon feel the impact of the projects.

The King said members of Tafileh's consultative council will meet with government and Royal Court officials to follow up on needed development projects in the governorate.

During a lunch banquet, King Abdullah also discussed with Tafileh residents the needs and demands of the governorate and the projects it needs most.