Iraq between stalled projects and postponed promises: years of endless waiting

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[size=52]Iraq between stalled projects and postponed promises: years of endless waiting[/size]

[size=45]For many years, Iraq has witnessed delays and stumbling blocks in the implementation of many development and service projects, which has contributed to the exacerbation of the crises suffered by the Iraqi people.[/size]
[size=45]Despite the large financial allocations and repeated announcements of infrastructure development plans, many projects remain incomplete or halted for various reasons, ranging from administrative corruption, political conflicts, weak management, and security challenges.[/size]
[size=45]This has disrupted efforts to improve living standards and provide basic services to citizens, as many vital sectors such as electricity, water, and health are now suffering from a severe shortage of effective investments and proper implementation of projects.[/size]
[size=45]Economic expert Abdulrahman Fadel says, “Delaying projects affects the rate of economic growth, as it is impossible to achieve economic and investment goals on time,” adding that “delaying projects can lead to increased costs due to higher prices of raw materials or labor, which negatively affects the allocated budget.”[/size]
[size=45]He added, “Delayed projects lead to delayed job creation, which affects the labor market and the standard of living of individuals,” indicating that “delaying infrastructure projects such as roads and bridges can affect the effectiveness of transportation and trade, which reduces the efficiency of the economy.”[/size]
[size=45]Fadel explains that “delaying projects can reduce the confidence of local and international investors, which negatively affects attracting future investments.”[/size]
[size=45]He added, “Delayed projects may lead to social problems such as increased poverty and social inequality due to failure to achieve the required development.”[/size]
[size=45]The economic expert continues, “Developing effective strategies for project management and implementing them on time can help reduce this damage and improve the economic situation in Iraq.”[/size]
[size=45]The Parliamentary Services and Reconstruction Committee counted the number of stalled projects in Iraq, and confirmed that their number exceeds 1,600 projects in Baghdad and the governorates, excluding the Kurdistan Region.[/size]
[size=45]The deputy chairman of the committee, Baqir Al-Saadi, said, “The number of stalled projects in Baghdad and the governorates has reached more than 1,600 projects,” noting that “the implementation of these projects was delayed during previous governments,” indicating that “the completion rates in them are only 30-35%, and work on them has been halted since the era of Nouri Al-Maliki’s government.”[/size]
[size=45]Al-Saadi revealed that “the current government has completed about 366 projects out of the projects that were suspended during the past year 2023,” noting that “work is still underway on 55% of the remaining projects, and it is hoped that many of them will be completed during the month of April.”[/size]
[size=45]For his part, member of the Parliamentary Services and Reconstruction Committee, Mahma Khalil, said, “There is a real intention and desire on the part of the Al-Suwani government to address the problem of stalled projects, contrary to what previous governments had announced,” stressing that “corruption in state institutions is the most prominent reason behind the delay in implementing projects and their suspension.”[/size]
[size=45]He added, "A large number of projects that began work about 15 years ago have not been completed to this day," and pointed out that "the number of stalled projects in the capital, Baghdad, is estimated at 630 projects distributed in various sectors such as health, water, roads, education, sports, and others."[/size]
[size=45]He added, “The main reasons behind the delay in projects are the lack of integrity of the companies to which the projects were awarded, the secondary contracting that takes place in awarding the projects, and most importantly, the financial and administrative corruption that is rampant in state institutions.”[/size]
[size=45]The member of the Services and Reconstruction Committee continued, “The Iraqi government headed by Al-Sudani has shown seriousness in moving towards addressing stalled projects, contrary to what previous governments had announced,” indicating that “the parliamentary committee is monitoring the government’s work in this regard, with the aim of ending this file once and for all during the current and next two years.”[/size]
[size=45]In addition, the Ministry of Planning announced the formation of special committees to address stalled projects, while indicating that it is moving to solve the problems of 450 projects.[/size]
[size=45]The ministry’s spokesman, Abdul Zahra Al-Hindawi, said in a statement to the official media, “Work is continuing to address the problems of stalled projects throughout Iraq, through the committees formed in the Ministry of Planning.”[/size]
[size=45]He added, "The formation of the Diwani Order Committee 45, headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning, Mohammed Ali Tamim, is concerned with addressing the problems of the faltering hospitals. As for the second committee, it is headed by the Minister of Planning and includes the Chairman of the Integrity Commission, the Chairman of the Financial Supervision Bureau, and other entities."[/size]
[size=45]He explained that "the two committees are working continuously to find solutions and treatments for all stalled projects at the level of ministries and governorates," noting that "about 2,610 stalled projects, some of which have had their problems addressed, and others are in the process of being implemented."[/size]
[size=45]He added, "The files of 450 projects are awaiting the judiciary and integrity to decide on them and take the necessary measures regarding them."[/size]
[size=45]Although successive governments in Iraq have adopted the slogan of ending stalled projects, this file is still open and has not been resolved yet.[/size]
[size=45]The losses incurred by Iraq due to stalled projects alone, not fictitious ones, amount to more than 16 billion dollars, according to figures issued by the Iraqi Ministry of Planning.[/size]
[size=45]Earlier, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, whose government has spent about a year and a half, adopted ending the procrastination in projects through several steps, including allocating funds within the budgets for some stalled projects and canceling others, and resolving the remainder through partnership with the private sector.[/size]
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