PM Masrour Barzani directs implementation of Qushtapa water project

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has directed the initiation of the strategic Qushtapa water project, set to produce 72,000 cubic meters of drinking water per day.

The Ministry of Municipalities and Tourism and the General Directorate of Water and Sewage of the Kurdistan Region will oversee its implementation.

The KRG will fund this vital project, estimated at 189 billion and 670 million dinars, with work commencing shortly.

Ari Ahmed, Director General of Water and Sewage of the Kurdistan Region, revealed the project entails constructing three large reservoirs that will address water scarcity in Qushtapa district and 60 neighboring villages.

This move comes following Prime Minister Barzani laying the foundation stone for the emergency water project in Erbil on Sunday, a crucial initiative aimed at resolving the capital's water shortage for the next three decades.

During the ceremony, the Prime Minister emphasized the project's significance for the Kurdistan Region, highlighting the recurring water crisis in Erbil, particularly during summer, exacerbated by the failure of a foreign company to complete the Efraz-4 project.

Despite economic challenges, the government has prioritized finding an urgent solution, directing authorities to immediately implement this emergency project.

Acknowledging the hardships faced by residents in several neighborhoods, the Prime Minister stressed that while the governorate and municipalities have diligently worked to alleviate the issue, some parties have attempted to exploit the situation for political gain.

PM Barzani asserted that the solution extends beyond temporary measures, necessitating the completion of major projects like pumping water from the Great Zab to Erbil, ensuring a sustainable water supply for the next 30 years.

Additionally, he has called for restructuring the distribution network for equitable water access across all neighborhoods.

The government has also approved another project to transfer water from the Little Zab to the Qushtapa area and its surrounding villages. This initiative will contribute to the closure of numerous wells, facilitating groundwater renewal.

These concerted efforts demonstrate the KRG's commitment to tackling the water crisis and securing a sustainable future for the region's water resources.