Basra: Controversy surrounds the distribution of residential land in Basra as a member of parliament criticizes delays, while the housing committee asserts that processes are ongoing. Basra MP Mohammed Hussein al-Moussawi has confirmed that the governor of Basra lacks a fixed timetable for distributing residential land to provincial employees and educators. He highlighted that promises on this matter have been made repeatedly since 2023, with no commitment to specific implementation dates.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Moussawi expressed in a press release that state employees are still awaiting their land allocations, criticizing continued delays and the failure to meet announced distribution targets. He noted that large land areas have been allocated to investors, with housing units sold at prices beyond the reach of most citizens.
In contrast, Saud Ezz El-Din Alwan, head of the Housing Committee in the Basra Provincial Council, stated that the committee is monitoring residential land files daily in coordination with local government and relevant departments to expedite completion. Al-Alwan explained that approximately 147,000 residential plots have been allocated since 2019 to various population segments. He emphasized that completing their distribution requires finalizing legal, technical, and administrative procedures, including determining ownership, preparing master plans, and completing subdivision procedures, alongside providing infrastructure and services.
Al-Alwan added that the delay in distribution does not signify a halt in work but is due to completing necessary legal and technical requirements, addressing ownership conflicts, and ensuring land readiness according to regulations. Regarding land allocated to education employees, Al-Alwan affirmed that this matter is receiving special attention, with the committee working alongside the Housing Department in the Basra Education Directorate and relevant authorities to complete procedures and resolve issues, ensuring the preservation of the rights of the education community.