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Ottoman
Period
The Municipality was founded in 1869 when
the first municipal council was formed
appointed Sheikh Mohammad Toffaha
Huseini as the first mayor of
Nablus . A wide range of responsibilities
was bestowed to Mr. Huseini included
supervision of all medical, educational,
infrastructure, and labor affairs. In
addition to the major issues related to
electricity, water, licensing, building and
construction affairs.
British Mandate
Prior to the British mandate in 1917,
Sheikh Omar Zu'aiter was
appointed by the Ottoman governor to be
responsible for the city affairs. He was
also authorized by the British
representative to form a local government,
which continued for one month followed by
the British High commissioner.
The first municipal elections took place in
1925 and Mr. Suleiman Abdul Raziq
Touqan was appointed to be the
first Mayor of Nablus during the British
Mandate.
During the Jordanian rule in 1951, the
interest in elections was increased among
local citizens. The elections' campaign was
so competitive at that time and a number of
young intellectuals won the election among
which Mr. Na'im Abdul Hadi
was elected to be the Mayor. Four years
later, Mr. Abdul Hadi was appointed as
Minister of Public Works and Haj
Ma'zouz Masri took over the
responsibility. In 1957, the mayor and the
municipal council were dissolved.
Bahjat Tabbara followed by a number
of police leaders and heads of departments
governed the municipality till September
1963 prior to the Israeli occupation.
In
1963, another elections took place with a
participation of 65% of total voters.
Mr. Hamdi Kan'an who won
the majority of votes, was elected by the
council members to be the first elected
mayor of Nablus during the jordinian rule.
Mr. Kan'an resumed his duties and
responsibilities commenced by executing a
number of projects and improving different
utilities and public services of Nablus
city. He paid special attention to the
expansion of electricity network to link
Huwwara with Anabta. Furthermore, linking
the water of Deir Sharaf's Well to the city
local reservoirs.
Israeli
Occupation
In the aftermath of Israeli
occupation, the first electoral campaign for
municipal council and the mayor took place
on 28 March 1971 with participation of 72%
of total voters. Mr. Ma'zoz Masri
won the elections and was elected
as the mayor of Nablus . During this period,
a number of public schools were established,
in addition to remodeling of old schools and
some historical buildings. This period was
characterized by the analytical and
feasibility studies, which were conducted
for projects that meet the needs and
priorities of the local inhabitants. Among
these projects are the sewer and drainage
nets, electricity and water nets'
installations, establishing public buildings
such as the central vegetable market,
expansion of public library, and developing
parks. At that period, a giant electricity
project was established to provide
electricity to Nablus city and the
surrounding villages.
The second electoral campaign
took place in 1976 with a participation of
54% of total voters. Thirty-three candidates
ran the elections and Mr. Bassam
Shaka'a was elected to be the
second elected mayor of Nablus while
Mr. Zafer Masri was elected as
deputy mayor. The municipality went through
a very critical phase in terms of its
financial capacities. Due to the high cost
of living, inflation and the deficit
incurred on the budget as a result of
Israeli occupation, the mayor and the entire
council member envisaged new mechanism of
launching funding campaigns. A delegation
comprised of the mayor and two of the
council members paid an official visit to a
number of neighboring countries in an
attempt to attract the requested financial
support and donations to balance the said
deficit.
In 1982, the city council was
dissolved by the Israeli authorities under
the mandate of Bassam Shaka'a due to his
political opposition stances against Israeli
authorities' practices. Meanwhile, the
Israeli authorities governed the
municipality, managing its affairs in a
chaotic manner which had negative impact on
all aspects of domestic affairs and people's
daily life. In 1985, the Israeli authorities
responded to Nablus Chamber of Commerce
request in appointing Mr. Zafer
Masri to be the mayor who was
assassinated in 1986. His deputy Mr.
Hafez Touqan took over the
responsibility till the outbreak of the
Palestinian Uprising “Intifada”.
Palestinian National Authority (PNA)
The
inextricable situation predominated till
14/7/1994 when Mr. Ghassan Shaka'a
was assigned as Nablus mayor prior
to the inception of the PNA. The
municipality under his administration
witnessed a tangible reform whether at the
administrative or technical levels. His
leadership style was inspired by his vision
towards confronting the political, economic
and social challenges. His inspiration
manifested itself in different spheres and
issues of concern to the city as a whole. In
his perspective, developing new
infrastructure was not the only factor for
sustainable development and economic growth.
The mayor paid serious attention to poor and
vulnerable groups, listening to their
personal affairs, sharing their agonies, and
finding rational solutions to their
problems. Mr. Shaka'a was able to create a
net of international relations, linking the
city of Nablus with a large number of
international cities.
While the Israeli occupation
stands as a major stumbling block that
hampers socio-economic and political
development in the area, yet, the vision of
Nablus municipality was motivated further to
initiate a wide spectrum of projects and
activities. Despite this dramatic situation
of complex emergencies within which the
mayor and the council members were
functioning, they were constantly determined
to better sustain the basic needs and
services for the local citizens, improve
their living standards, and secure a healthy
environment.
Nablus Municipality is
currently considered one of the largest
organizations in Palestine in terms of
volume of services it provides, the projects
it carries out, and the number of local
staff it employs. Nablus
Municipality is one of the major employers
in Palestine and it is the main driving
force behind development process of the
Nablus city. Among its major accomplishments
are the establishment of Child Cultural
Centers, public parks, the preservation of
Nablus cultural and historic heritage
project namely; remodeling of old city, and
the commercial center which is considered
one of the economic and architectural land
marks in Palestine. During this period, the
city was suffering the lack of water
resources crisis especially in the summer
time. The municipal council was determined
to take the challenge through digging water
wells to meet not only the need of Nablus
citizens, but it also provides water to the
neighboring towns and villages.
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Nablus Municipality is a public institution
with specific by-laws and systems enacted in
order to render the best quality of
municipal services to its local citizens.
Nablus has had an important and national
role due to its long history from one hand,
and its exquisite accomplishments on the
other hand, credit is given to the loyalty
and dedication of its staff.
