PM Barzani: KRG serious about implementation of reform

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani says the opening of a center for the development and training of staff at the Ministry of Electricity will improve Kurdistan’s energy sector.

During a speech at the opening ceremony of the Development and Training Center on Wednesday, Prime Minister Barzani thanked the government of Japan for implementing the project as part of the KRG’s share of a loan program for Iraq.

The $120 million project, established in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JIKA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is expected to take 10 years to complete.

“The opening of this center to train and develop human, professional, scientific, and technical capabilities of the staff at the Ministry of Electricity is part of the reforms” implemented by the government, Barzani stated, adding the enhancement “of these capabilities is a vital part of development in any society.”

“Despite all the challenges, the KRG has always expressed its strong will for reform and has continued to implement change in various sectors,” the Prime Minister said.

PM Barzani reminded of efforts by Baghdad to isolate the Kurdistan Region, notably the cut of the national budget share. He also said the war against the Islamic State and influx of two million displaced persons and refugees in the past years impeded some of the government’s plans to improve services and the livelihood of people.

“The difficult days are about to end, and there is a brighter future ahead for the Kurdistan Region,” Barzani said, adding that with the steadfastness of the people of Kurdistan and the government’s efforts for reform, “we are heading toward a better life.”

PM Barzani also called on political parties in the Kurdistan Region to unite, reconcile their differences, and join a national project for negotiations about the formation of the next Iraqi government.

In the aftermath of the Iraqi parliamentary elections, he stressed that the Kurdish parties main aim is to obtain a real partnership in Iraq and acquire constitutional rights for the people of Kurdistan.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany