Iraq authorities revealed plans to undertake approximately 100 projects aimed at enhancing water and sewage networks as part of a comprehensive effort to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure post-war, Zawya reports.
According to Nabil Saffar, spokesperson for the Ministry of Construction and Housing, the recent approval of a three-year budget in 2023 has paved the way for overcoming financial hurdles that previously stalled numerous projects across Baghdad and other regions.
“We have identified nearly 100 projects involving water and sewage networks…we aim to launch these projects in 2024,” he told the Iraqi News Agency.
He further highlighted that additional projects are slated for launch within 2024, and some projects would also be included in the three-year budget. Saffar emphasized, “We aim for 2024 to be a year of accomplishments.”
Iraq’s Ministry of Construction, Housing, and Public Municipalities also announced the successful completion of four key water projects in 2023.
These projects include the Al-Kut Grand Water Project, the Diyala Water Project in Salah al-Din Governorate, the Al-Salam Water Project and Al-Sarajqa Water Project, both located in Mansouria in Diyala Governorate, as indicated by the Iraqi News Agency citing Ammar Adel Al-Maliki, Director of the Water Directorate in the ministry.
Al-Maliki noted that these projects, along with several others, were part of a comprehensive program initiated by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani to finalize delayed or stagnant initiatives.
Looking ahead to 2024, the plan entails the completion of six projects, with four already in their concluding phases. These projects include:
- The Al-Amara Grand Water Project located in Maysan Governorate, boasting a capacity of 16,000 cubic meters per hour.
- The Qayyarah-Shura-Tal Abta Water Project in Nineveh Governorate.
- The Central Zuhour Water Project, featuring a capacity of 10,000 cubic meters per hour, situated north of Baghdad Governorate.
- The Central Nahrawan Water Project in Baghdad.
During an IHE Delft course for Iraqi officials, Humam Luay Abdul-Muhsin, Counsellor at the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said water is the number one issue in Iraq.
Iraq faces several water-related challenges, including issues stemming from shared water resources with neighboring countries, as well as the water demands of its agricultural sector and oil and gas industries. Particularly in southern Iraq, salinity is a significant concern.