Karbala's projects languish amid federal bureaucracy

Despite ample budgets and authority, these projects have remained stalled for years, raising concerns among citizens and casting a shadow over the province's progress.

An aerial view of Karbala. (Photo: Kurdistan 24)
An aerial view of Karbala. (Photo: Kurdistan 24)

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Karbala province, a significant religious center in Iraq, is grappling with a pressing issue: the slow pace of development and the failure of numerous projects, particularly those under the purview of federal ministries.

Despite ample budgets and authority, these projects have remained stalled for years, raising concerns among citizens and casting a shadow over the province's progress.

According to economic expert Hamid al-Hilali, Karbala is not alone in facing such challenges. “Many regions across Iraq have witnessed similar delays and inefficiencies in project implementation. In Karbala, however, the situation is particularly acute, with projects dating back over a decade remaining incomplete or even abandoned. Corruption and mismanagement have further exacerbated the problem.”

The local government in Karbala has been vocal in criticizing the federal ministries for their role in these delays. They contend that the projects referred centrally are often plagued by administrative errors and structural issues within the federal bureaucracy.

This, they argue, is the primary reason for the lack of progress.

Anwar Al-Yasari, a member of the Projects Oversight Committee in the Karbala Provincial Council, echoed these sentiments. He pointed out that the companies implementing these projects are often chosen by the federal ministries and have been slow or even negligent in their work.

As the situation continues to unfold, citizens of Karbala are growing increasingly frustrated. While they remain hopeful for a resolution, the question remains: Will the federal government be able to address the underlying issues and deliver on its promises, or will the cycle of delays and inefficiency persist?

 

Kurdistan24 correspondent Moataz al-Aboudi did further reporting.