PM Al-Sudani: Upcoming ministerial amendment and plan to address water issues

INA - BAGHDAD

Prime Minister Muhammed S. Al-Sudani announced on Monday, moving to develop a radical strategic plan to address the water issue, while revealing an upcoming ministerial reshuffle, confirming that the government is considering establishing an independent agency to combat drugs.

During his meeting with a number of media journalists that was followed up by the Iraqi News Agency - INA, PM explained "Today we are facing a global crisis regarding the issue of water scarcity in Iraq and the region," indicating that "solutions regarding the water issue are immediate."

He noted, "This summer is the harshest season in the history of the Iraqi state. The Ministry of Water Resources records for the first time such a decline in water reserves."

"The Iranian side's releases into the Karun River were large, and we were able to double the releases from Turkey 20 days before the Arba'een visit," he pointed out, explaining that "the government will present a radical strategic plan to address the water issue in all its aspects. There is a need for optimal investment in water. There is a flaw in the management of this file."


He stated that "the Baghdad 2023 conference reflects the government's philosophy of managing its foreign relations."

The Prime Minister stated that "the recent US moves are a process to replace the forces present in Syria," pointing out that "the movement of bases in Iraq, which include advisors, is subject to the approval of the Iraqi government. The security delegation's visit to Washington was successful, as we obtained important information about the locations of Daesh leaders in Iraq that were targeted. We also targeted Daesh command center in the Anbar desert. Iraq does not need any foreign combat forces."

He indicated that "the Iraqi-US Joint Committee will hold its meeting in mid-September to determine the form of the relationship with the international coalition."

As for railway connectivity and development road, PM Al-Sudani stressed, "Not approving the railway connection with any country to transport goods. The position is firm on that. The railway connection with Iran is for the transport of passengers. The Minister of Transport is discussing in Saudi Arabia the file of railway connectivity to transport Iraqi passengers and pilgrims," pointing out that "the Iraqi state is serious about putting the development road and Al-Faw port projects into practice. The Grand Corridor and Silk Road projects do not have a corridor inside Iraq," pointing out that "the development road is considered the best, shortest, and least expensive for transportation and transit."

The Prime Minister stressed that "the government is establishing industrial cities along the path of development," explaining that "the industrial city in the Master Plan of Al-Faw Port project is the largest in the Middle East." 

He explained, "I follow the completion stages at Al-Faw Port on a weekly basis," noting that "Al-Faw Port and Development Road projects create a new Iraq with a diversified economy."

"There is no delay in the completion of Al-Faw Port. The completion rate of the five decks project in the port has reached 73 percent, that is, more than planned. The port will be completed in 2025. The government will soon invite countries that have expressed their desire to participate in the path of development to hold a meeting in Baghdad," he highlighted.

In terms of banking sector reform, he stated that "the government gave for the first time sovereign guarantees to the private sector in the budget law," pointing out that "the banking sector has not witnessed any reform process since 2003. The Central Bank dealt with a previous decision that was not considered when reducing the current exchange rate of the dollar. Iraq's trade is now reliable and real."

He indicated that "the Iraqi and Iranian central banks are working on a mechanism to regulate trade," explaining that "our revenues from the tobacco trade are zero, although it is the strongest."

The Prime Minister stated that "the will to combat corruption exists and there are no red lines in front of any file," pointing out that "we are investigating all the information of members of parliament regarding corruption files. The principle of recovering money and wanted persons has become a reality and countries have begun to respond to Iraq," noting that "the corrupt feel for the first time that they are being pursued."

"Many of those wanted abroad started contacting and some of them turned themselves in. There is a confidence in the Iraqi judiciary and its procedures," he stressed.

The Prime Minister stated that "the file of theft of tax deposits has not been neglected."

Al-Sudani pointed out that "administrative reform is necessary to build the state," explaining that "the minister is subject to evaluation according to the political agreement. The government is ready for the ministerial reshuffle if it requests evaluation," pointing out that "the ministerial evaluation is coming, and its delay was due to the delay in approving the budget."

He included, "There is a cabinet reshuffle soon," explaining that "more than 90 percent of general managers have been evaluated. 15 agents and advisors will be exempted during this week in all ministries."