Parliament discusses stoppage of some road-building projects and non-completion of housing units

The Kurdistan Parliament on 23 June 2022 discussed the reasons for the stoppage of some road-building projects and for the non-completion of housing units by the legal deadline.

Speaker Dr. Rewaz Faiq presided over the sitting, with Deputy Speaker Dr. Hemin Hawrami and Secretary Muna Kahveci alongside her.

Parliament’s Reconstruction and Investment Committee presented their report for deliberation, in the presence of the KRG Minister for Housing and Reconstruction Mr. Dana Abdulkareem Hamasalih, and the Deputy Minister Agrin Abdullah Agrin.

The committee cited the lack of a Kurdistan Region budget law, lack of cash in banks and for the ministry’s projects, and the absence of a designated road building and repairs financial fund which is very important to support this area of work.

The committee made several recommendations, including creating a financial support fund for road and construction projects. They also recommended that the Law on the Provision of Housing for Persons on Low Incomes (Law No. 16 of 2011) should be amended.

MPs gave their views on the issues, and some said that the state of some inter-governorate and inter-administration roads leads to more traffic accidents leading to loss of life and injuries.

Minister Dana Abdulkareem explained his ministry’s steps on road-building, housing units and other construction, and on organizing and regulating ownership. He said that the major reason for projects stopping is the lack of budget. He replied to MPs’ comments and questions.

Speaker Faiq thanked the Minister, and per Article 67 (paragraph 3) of the Internal Rules of Procedure she suggested that the Reconstruction and Investment Committee update their report and recommendations, in light of the deliberations and answers, and then direct it to the Government and monitor its implementation. The motion was approved by a majority.