Local
Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi has issued a directive to establish a clear timeframe for addressing the pervasive issue of pollution in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, signaling a strong governmental commitment to tackling this vital environmental challenge. This directive emerged during a special meeting convened to discuss the critical issue of river pollution. During her opening address to heads of parliamentary committees, representatives from relevant ministries, and all governorates, Ms. Abdul Wahid affirmed that "the pollution of the Tigris and Euphrates waters has reached significant levels." She further indicated that the Prime Minister had already instructed the concerned ministries and governorates to establish a definite timeline for mitigating this urgent environmental concern. Abdul Wahid emphasized the necessity of transitioning from prolonged discussions to actionable implementation, stating, "Meetings concerning the water pollution file have been ongoing for over a year, and the causes of this pollution are well-known to all. Today, it is imperative to devise effective solutions rather than merely continuing to deliberate on the underlying causes." Additionally, she highlighted the support extended by the Supreme Judicial Council to the Ministry of Environment in its efforts to hold all polluting sectors accountable. She asserted that the Ministry is prepared to take all necessary legal and punitive actions against non-compliant entities, fulfilling its responsibility to the populace in tackling environmental contaminants. She also referenced the Prime Minister's directive to integrate adherence to environmental standards as a fundamental component of the evaluation process for general managers, deeming this a pivotal step towards enhancing Iraq's environmental landscape. Concluding her remarks, she clarified that the overarching objective of this gathering is to formulate a comprehensive national plan designed to secure a better environment for all.
