The Chairman of the Salah al-Din Provincial Council, Adel Al-Sumaidaie, confirms that their top priorities include distributing the budget accurately to districts and sub-districts, as well as addressing the areas that have been destroyed and whose residents have not yet returned, such as Al-Awja and other cities.
Al-Sumaidaie, in an exclusive interview with KirkukNow, emphasizes the importance of initiating the sewage project for the town of Al-Duluiya, as well as rehabilitating the highway connecting the cities of Nineveh and Baghdad to reduce traffic accidents and enhance the significance of this road.
The predominantly Sunni province of Salahaddin, about 135 kilometers north of the Iraqi capital, once home for Saddam Hussein, is under the control of Iraqi Security Forces ISF including the Shia-led paramilitary Popular Mobilization Forces PMF, known as al-Hashid al-Shabi.
KirkukNow: How does the Salah al-Din Council plan to manage the budget allocation to the province's cities?
Adel Al-Sumaidaie: We have a process in place to allocate the budget to districts and sub-districts based on population census data. We believe that areas declared as disaster-stricken by the Iraqi parliament, like Beiji, should receive additional funds, as well as areas like Suleiman Beg, which was severely damaged during military and terrorist operations. These areas should also receive extra support, along with Aziz Balad.
We have not yet received the full budget, only small amounts of stability support.
We have not yet received the full budget, only small amounts of stability support.
Kirkuk Now: What are the main priorities for the Salah al-Din Provincial Council, especially during this challenging period?
Adel Al-Sumaidaie: Our primary focus is on the budget, as it plays a crucial role in the province's stability. Many locals are still displaced such as parts of Yathrib and Al-Awja, who have not returned due to lack of services and destroyed houses. Rebuilding these areas and providing essential services for a decent life should be our top priority.
KirkukNow: Any thoughts on distributing the budget to districts and sub-districts?
Adel Al-Sumaidaie: We have had stalled projects since 2011, and the budget may not be sufficient to complete them.
Kirkuk Now: What are the plans of the Salah al-Din Provincial Council for future budgets?
Adel Al-Sumaidaie: We have numerous plans for the upcoming years if sufficient budget allocations are made available. This includes strategic projects like the completion of the Baghdad-Mosul two lane highway, which are in need of rehabilitation due to increased traffic and frequent accidents.
We also aim to prioritize the sewage project for the Dhuluiya district, which currently lacks such infrastructure. We hope that the Prime Minister and relevant ministries will allocate funds to complete these vital projects, improve the province's appearance, and have a positive impact on the central government.
*This story has been produced as part of the 'Budget is Your Right' initiative, with support from the National Democratic Institute (NDI).
