Baghdad: Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi stressed the need to eradicate corruption completely, activate the law rewarding whistleblowers, enhance border control, and expose corrupt individuals. The Prime Minister’s Media Office stated in a press release: “Al-Zaidi visited the headquarters of the Federal Integrity Commission on Saturday, where he met with the Commission’s head and senior staff, and reviewed its operational mechanisms and efforts in combating corruption and protecting public funds.”

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Prime Minister emphasized that the Integrity Commission is not measured by its physical structure, but by its integrity and commitment to safeguarding public funds. He stressed that the battle against corruption is significant, and that the Commission represents the first line of defense.

Al-Zaidi emphasized that the Commission’s role should not be limited to oversight, but should also include prevention, underscoring the necessity of completely eliminating corruption and monitoring provincial projects with the same diligence as ministerial projects.

Al-Zaydi directed that projects be monitored according to three levels, commensurate with their size and cost: high-cost projects, medium-sized projects, and small projects, to ensure more effective oversight.

The Prime Minister also directed the activation of the law rewarding whistleblowers reporting corruption, enhanced monitoring of border crossings, and the exposure of corrupt individuals. He further directed the submission of monthly and quarterly reports on the progress of anti-corruption efforts and the level of achievement in this area.

For his part, the head of the commission expressed his gratitude for the Prime Minister’s support, confirming the formation of field teams to audit contracts in state institutions. These teams have completed audits of contracts in eight ministries, and work continues to complete the remaining institutions. He also noted the completion of the National Strategy for Integrity and Anti-Corruption, which extends to 2030, and affirmed the commission’s readiness to move forward in combating corruption and preserving public funds.