Al-Gharraf residents demand basic services amid government neglect
The city lacks essential amenities, including water, electricity, and paved streets, prompting citizens to call on authorities to alleviate their suffering and restore the city's former glory.
Erbil (Kurdistan 24) – Once celebrated for its natural beauty by many artists, the city of al-Gharraf now suffers from severe service shortages despite significant financial investments by successive governments.
The city lacks essential amenities, including water, electricity, and paved streets, prompting citizens to call on authorities to alleviate their suffering and restore the city's former glory.
Citizens of al-Gharraf are vocal in their demands for basic services. “We do not know where the billions that were spent on this city went. The city lacks the most basic services, and you see waste everywhere in the city,” one resident told Kurdistan 24.
Another resident emphasized, “Our demands are services, paving the streets, electricity, and sewage. None of these projects have been implemented in the city. We demand that the central government and the governor provide services to this city.”
In the al-Hurriya neighborhood, located in the center of al-Gharraf, residents are still waiting for officials to fulfill their promises. Despite numerous assurances, the severe shortage of basic services continues to negatively impact daily life.
This neglect is particularly glaring given the region's abundant natural resources, which remain untapped and unutilized.
The situation in al-Gharraf is not unique, as many districts and sub-districts in the Dhi Qar Governorate suffer from similar neglect and poor services.
This widespread dissatisfaction has led to demonstrations in front of service departments, where residents demand their fundamental rights and access to essential services.
Additional reporting by Kurdistan24's correspondent Haidar Hannoon