Baghdad: Today's newspapers focus on the Cabinet's recommendations regarding combating corruption and prosecuting corrupt individuals. Newspapers published today focused on the Cabinet's recommendations regarding combating corruption and prosecuting corrupt individuals.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, the newspaper Al-Sabah, published by the Iraqi Media Network, reported that the Cabinet, during its regular session chaired by Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi, approved five recommendations related to the government's ongoing efforts to combat corruption. These recommendations include obligating all government institutions to identify instances of corruption, developing the efficiency of their employees and training them in the field of combating corruption, and making decisions related to ending the phenomenon of financial waste and avoiding technical errors in preparing bills of quantities and statements in government projects.
The newspaper quoted a statement from the Prime Minister's Media Office noting that Al-Zaydi chaired the ninth regular session of the Council of Ministers, during which developments in the country were discussed, the topics on the agenda were reviewed, and the necessary directives and decisions were made. As part of the government's ongoing efforts to combat corruption, the Council of Ministers approved the recommendations resulting from the performance evaluation of ministries, non-ministerial entities, and governorates.
The newspaper added that the statement emphasized improving the quality of government project preparation and ensuring the protection of public funds. The Council decided to mandate that contracting entities include in contracts for studies, designs, auditing, and supervision an explicit clause holding the design and auditing consulting firms fully legally and contractually responsible for any increase in project costs. This aims to eliminate financial waste and prevent technical errors in preparing bills of quantities and invoices.
Furthermore, approval was granted for an agreement between the Ministry of Oil (Basra Oil Company and North Oil Company) and the American company Chevron to increase production. To enhance the flexibility of oil exports, the Council approved an exemption for the tender for consultancy services for the Basra-Haditha crude oil export pipeline project from the General Contracts Implementation Instructions (No. 1 of 2025), enabling Basra Oil Company to proceed.
Regarding the electricity sector, the Council of Ministers authorized the Ministry of Electricity to sign an agreement with the American company GE to implement the comprehensive plan for securing Iraq's energy supply and developing the electricity sector, which will enter into force concurrently with the framework agreement to be signed between Iraq and the United States.
In the same context, Al-Zawraa newspaper reported that Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi affirmed the government's commitment to pursuing corrupt individuals and establishing a state of institutions and justice. He expressed his gratitude to the Iraqi people for their support in the reform process and emphasized that combating corruption is a national effort.
Additionally, Al-Zaman newspaper reported that several political, academic, and union figures expressed their support for governmental and judicial measures against corruption. They highlighted the importance of enforcing the rule of law and restoring the state's standing through firm actions against those exploiting their positions.
The independent newspaper Sawt Al-Qalam reported that the Cabinet issued several decisions, including measures to strengthen the fight against corruption and prevent the inflation of government project costs. The Cabinet also directed the completion of procedures for issuing work permits to foreign workers and approved agreements to enhance the electricity and oil sectors.
In another effort, Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi announced a substantial financial reward for citizens who report information regarding public assets and funds recovered through corruption, highlighting the government's commitment to protecting public funds and combating corruption.