Baghdad: Members of Parliament from various blocs and governorates, alongside members of parliamentary committees, have urged Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi to initiate a “dawn raid” on the Ministry of Electricity. This call comes in response to significant financial and administrative corruption reportedly entrenched within the Ministry’s operations.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, MP Noura al-Juhayshi, who serves on the Electricity and Energy Committee, highlighted during a joint press conference that a recent visit by committee members to the Ministry’s headquarters was met with a dismissive attitude from the Minister. Al-Juhayshi stated, “We spoke with the Minister during our visit, but we were surprised by his cold response and his request that MPs not interfere.” She emphasized that Parliament’s role is to identify shortcomings and expose corruption in the distribution, transmission, maintenance, and production sectors, as it serves as an oversight body dedicated to resolving citizens’ electricity supply issues.

Al-Juhayshi further urged the Minister of Electricity to become a genuine partner in the effort to improve the Ministry’s performance and enhance its oversight capabilities. She insisted that the ongoing problems and hardships faced by citizens, due to the worsening electricity situation, are directly linked to the deep-seated corruption within the Ministry.