Baghdad: Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi emphasized the government’s unyielding commitment to combat corruption and recover public funds during the 8th regular session of the Council of Ministers. The session, chaired by Al-Zaidi, focused on recent developments, agenda items, and necessary decisions to address the current challenges facing the country.
According to Iraqi News Agency, the Prime Minister stated that the ongoing anti-corruption campaign marks only the initial phase of a broader effort to safeguard the interests of the Iraqi people. Al-Zaidi highlighted the government’s responsibility to ensure public funds are securely managed and directed oversight bodies to actively investigate reports of corruption or negligence within government institutions. He further outlined the government’s strategy to strengthen state authority, maintain exclusive control over arms and force, and prevent the exploitation of state institutions by corrupt individuals.
Al-Zaidi announced plans for the upcoming budget, which will prioritize funding for the electricity sector to enhance the national grid’s capacity significantly. The One Million Residential Plots Initiative was also approved as a strategic project to provide housing solutions for eligible citizens. The initiative will be guided by the newly formed Higher Committee, led by the Prime Minister, to establish eligibility criteria, allocate land, and develop a legal framework for implementation.
In financial reforms, the Council endorsed tax settlement procedures impacting foreign oil companies and private educational institutions, offering exemptions for timely compliance. The Council also addressed energy sector developments, exempting agreements with ExxonMobil from previous resolutions and approving new contracts for field management and development.
In other sectors, the Council authorized exemptions from environmental standards for certain facilities, allocated significant funds to the Ministry of Health for pharmaceutical contracts, and supported the establishment of a new school construction component. The session concluded with the approval of new maritime regulations to prevent collisions, enhancing Iraq’s regulatory framework.