Iraq Imposes Fines on Power Distribution Programme Violators

Text of report by Iraqi Media Network weekly newspaper Al-Sabah on 30 August

[Report by Tariq al-A'raji in Baghdad: "The Electricity Ministry Imposes Fines and Other Penalties on Violators of the Electric System."]

The Ministry of Electricity has decided to impose 3 million dinars in fine on any housing unit violating the electric network system and to sack officials in charge of the power cut programme trying to tamper with citizens’ shares of the electric current. Scores of citizens from the city of Basra staged a demonstration in front of the Governorate Council’s building to demand that the daily 22-hour power cuts be reduced.

In a statement to the press, a responsible source at the Ministry of Electricity said that the decision was made during a meeting of the operations room chaired by Electricity Minister Karim Wahid to discuss how to distribute electric current fairly, activate complaint centres, and expand the police-backed anti-violation committee.

He said that the ministry will impose fines ranging from 1 to 3 million dinars on housing units violating the electric network system and that in case of non-payment, the money will be collected through the legal departments. Moreover, employees tampering with the power distribution programme will be punishable by dismissal. The source said that the city of Baghdad suffered from power shortage after the northern gas pipeline was damaged by terrorists, the gas pressure in the south dropped, and the water levels in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers dropped, which in turn has raised the temperature of water used to cool the production units. The source also said that the ministry is determined to defuse the crisis by maintaining or making a number of gas and thermal units; cancelling all exemptions; tightening control of hospital feeding equipment, sewage system departments, water stations, and oil refineries; prevent citizens from violating the said feeders; and ensure a fair distribution during the blessed month of Ramadan.

In another development, scores of citizens from Basra Governorate staged a demonstration in front of the Governorate Council’s building to demand the reduction of the daily 22-hour power cuts. In statements to the press, a number of protesters said that they just demand the reduction of power cut hours. They also urged government officials and the Council of Representatives to find solutions to end the suffering. It is noteworthy that the city of Basra area is suffering from power cuts amid rising temperatures in summer.

Originally published by Al-Sabah, Baghdad, in Arabic 30 Aug 08.

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