Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani Meets Tribal Sheikhs and Notables of Baiji District

Baghdad-INA  
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani met today, with Baiji District sheikhs and notables in Salah Al-Din Governorate. The Minister of Electricity, Salah al-Din's Governor, Parliamentary Energy Committee Chairman, and Parliament Members representing Salah Al-Din Governorate were present during his visit this morning.
 
The media office of prime minister said in a statement received by the Iraqi news Agency (INA) that “Al-Sudani emphasized the significance of Baiji District, which fell under the grip of ISIS terrorist groups, enduring destructive acts that ravaged vital sites and facilities, adversely affecting the region's livelihood and economy. He highlighted Baiji's economic importance for Iraq, citing its potential as a crucial hub for oil installations, power plants, and industrial centers aligned with government plans and strategic objectives.
 
During the meeting, prime minister announced that dedicated efforts aided the government in reclaiming stolen materials and equipment from the Baiji Refinery. These items, worth millions of dollars, were causing disruptions. Acquiring them anew would have taken years. Today, these materials are onsite, ensuring the refinery's return to full capacity, fostering self-sufficiency in oil derivatives. This success is thanks to a citizen's support, potentially involving up to 100 trucks.
 
 
Key points from the Prime Minister's speech include:
 
  Baiji District hosts crucial economic facilities for Iraq. Transforming it into a key economic hub with oil facilities, power stations, and industrial cities is a government strategic priority.
 
  Baiji city serves as a crucial link between Kirkuk, Anbar, Mosul, and the heart of Salah al-Din.
 
  Through dedicated work by both official and unofficial entities, we've successfully recovered stolen equipment, devices, and supplies from the Baiji Refinery. These items constitute a significant portion of the site's requirements.
 
  A citizen stepped forward to assist in recovering these materials, which fill around 60 trucks and possibly more, up to 100 trucks.
 
  These critical devices, valued at millions of dollars, would have taken years to manufacture if ordered. Today, they are already on-site.
 
  Security services ensured the safe transfer of equipment from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to the refinery location.
 
  Viewing this action as a positive sign, we anticipate swift progress in rehabilitating this vital site. We're nearing the date for the refinery's operation at its full design capacity of 150,000 barrels per day.
 
  The refinery's operation will end the need for Iraq to import oil derivatives. This, coupled with recently completed refineries, will have a substantial impact.
 
  We ordered a meeting among relevant authorities to establish necessary powers and project definitions, with the goal of achieving comprehensive completion in a single phase.
 
  We have visited Baiji's thermal power station, the first gas power station, and the second gas power station. We have previously negotiated with Siemens and agreed on the project of the second Baiji gas power station, which is now part of the 2023 plan, with a capacity of 1014 megawatts.
 
 Ongoing discussions with the Qatari company center arund the Baiji thermal power station. A memorandum of understanding was signed during the recent visit of the Emir of Qatar, and we are nearing the final stages of an investment project agreement.
 
  The station's production will reach 1,320 megawatts in the first phase, and will reach 2,100 megawatts the second phase.
 
  Our visit included the Al-Fathah Bridge project, which faced suspension due to pending approvals. Today, decisions have been made concerning change orders and advance payments, enabling the resumption of work with multiple shifts per day.
 
  We visited the sewage treatment plant, and the project is complete and well implemented. Together with the network, it represents 65% of the city's services.
 
  We have instructed the Ministry of Planning to allocate funds for constructing a sewage treatment plant and networks in the second part. This project will achieve full completion in the district center, costing 99 billion dinars.
 
  From its inception, the government has prioritized citizen services, with all our efforts aligned towards fulfilling this vital and long-awaited demand.
 
  Projects experiencing delays due to routine within ministries or governorates are acknowledged. However, the lesson lies in addressing these obstacles and surpassing them. This is entirely feasible for a country armed with resources and resolute decisions.
 
  We seek to improve the economic reality, and we have natural resources that have not been invested, and the city of Baiji is a strategic economic site project.
 
 In Salah Al-Din Governorate, 35% of agricultural areas are cultivated using sprinkler irrigation and wells. The wheat yield has supplied 900,000 tons.
 
  Present-day terrorism consists of frightened individuals seeking refuge in hideouts and caves. Our security services are actively pursuing and apprehending these elements.