Baghdad: In a significant move to emphasize the importance of local governance in Iraq, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has underscored the crucial role that local governments play in service delivery and governance. This was a central theme in Tuesday’s newspapers, reflecting on the Prime Minister’s recent remarks and the outcomes of a high-profile governmental session.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi, during the third session of the Higher Committee for Coordination between Governorates for the year 2026, highlighted the integrated nature of federal and local governments as a singular entity within the state. This session, which took place on Monday, addressed various issues concerning the general conditions in the governorates, focusing on service and living conditions. The meeting was attended by several ministers, the Director of the Prime Minister’s Office, the General Coordinator for Governorate Affairs, governors, heads of governorate councils, and numerous advisors.
The Prime Minister articulated the necessity for local governments and governors to serve as the primary point of contact with citizens, ensuring the delivery of essential services without political interference. He emphasized the need for local governments to establish mechanisms to foster local development through investment attraction, while cautioning against bureaucratic hurdles that could impede progress.
A key highlight of the session was the progress made in the allocation of one million residential plots. The distribution of these plots is planned to be equitable, based on population size and poverty rates, thus benefiting a broad segment of the population. Al-Zaydi also reiterated the importance of supporting security forces in maintaining stability, a cornerstone for the development of local governance.
The session also resulted in several resolutions aimed at addressing critical issues such as the housing crisis, maximizing local revenues, and ensuring the provision of necessary resources like chlorine for water projects. Furthermore, initiatives to bolster the health sector were approved, including the formation of rapid intervention medical teams to operate during crises.
Additionally, the Prime Minister’s office highlighted that each governorate would have the authority to lift agricultural reform restrictions and that a portion of revenues from axle weigh stations would be allocated to the governorates, enhancing local financial management.
The session concluded with a commitment to addressing stalled investment licenses and examining the reasons behind project delays, ensuring that development initiatives are not hampered by administrative inefficiencies.