Baghdad: The Speaker of Parliament, Haibat al-Halbousi, emphasized the importance of the principle of administrative decentralization and the powers granted to governorates within the framework of the Law on Regions and Governorates Not Organized into a Region. During an expanded meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Regions and Governorates Not Organized into a Region, Planning and the Government Program, Endowments, and Youth and Sports, which included the two Deputy Speakers, governors, and representatives of the government and the Ministries of Finance and Planning, al-Halbousi called for amendments to solidify the principle of administrative decentralization.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, a statement from al-Halbousi’s office revealed that the meeting also focused on the priorities and needs of the governorates for the upcoming federal budget law. The discussions included reviewing legislative requirements, listening to plans and programs from various governorates, and addressing challenges faced in different sectors.

The Speaker engaged with governors to hear about projects in their respective regions. These discussions covered diverse service sectors, including regional development, ministry-led projects, and initiatives under the Food Security Law. Governors pointed to funding shortages and overlapping jurisdictions as primary causes for project delays.

The meeting further included an explanation of a Prime Ministerial initiative to distribute one million housing units across Iraq, outlining the regulations, mechanisms, and criteria for eligibility. Al-Halbousi stressed the urgency of expediting procedures to commence the distribution process effectively.