llegal Refineries: Investigation, chasing up, inspection, closing down go on

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The officials at the Kurdistan Region Government KRG emphasized that one of the Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and his 9th Cabinet’s priorities at the KRG is enhancing the constant protection of the environment, to expand greenery, and to support the decisions that are made in public services’ welfare.

The Chairman of the High Committee to the Illegal Refineries Closure and Environment Protection, and the Deputy Governor of Erbil, Hemn Qadir pointed out the strict rules were imposed and underscored that legal actions have been taken against the unauthorised refineries.

Qadir reaffirmed “the investigation procedure is not over, chasing up, inspection and closing down go on and now on the Gwer Passageway, strict and legal actions have been taken against those illegal refineries.”

The Erbil Deputy Governor, clearly explained the ongoing investigation process will continue till the end, and when it’s finished then a thorough report will be in hand to the public and media networks.

"The process will continue until the end, and after the end of it, detailed information and special reports will be presented.

All the information will be available to the public and the media networks.

Read More: KRG takes firm action to combat illegal refineries, environmental pollution

A series of meetings and sessions arranged by the officials at the KRG in Erbil, to discuss the situation of those oil refineries.

On August 4th, 2024, with a decision made by Erbil capital city’s Governor, all the illegal refineries were shut down and the legal refineries have had to apply the environmental requirements in their work stations, to protect the environment.

As the sources showed, just a day after that decision, 25 refineries were closed down in Erbil province, due to being illegal, and the process continues until now.

Read More: Stringent guidelines set for establishing oil refineries in Kurdistan Region: KRG official

The meeting that was held on Sunday August 4th, 2024, chaired by the Governor of Erbil city, Omed Khoshnaw, Hemn Qadir and Masoud Karash, Deputy Governors, Erbil Governor’s Assistant, Akram Ahmed, Erbil Central District Mayor, Managers of Health, Transport and Traffic, Oil and Minerals Directorates in Erbil, also the Mayors of Qushtapa, Makhmur Khabat Districts, attended.

As well as Managers of Gwer, Shamamk, Dibaga, Razgari and Kawrgosk sub-Districts, the Directors of Erbil Environment and the Central Laboratory at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Oil and Minerals in Erbil participated in the meeting.

The polluting factors; illegal refineries, cars and generators smoke, preventing environmental pollution and protecting the resident in Erbil city, were the most important issues discussed in that meeting.

In conclusion, a number of special decisions have been issued in the meeting:

First, to shut down 138 illegal refineries within Erbil province.

Second: Regarding the legal refineries will be given a deadline of 10 days to meet all the environmental requirements and eliminate the faults. Legal actions will be taken against them otherwise.

Third: Variety of factories, especially, Bitumen (mineral pitch) factories in Erbil province must immediately resolve the environmental problems, otherwise legal action will be taken against them and to face the accountability.

Fourth: Private generators will be given a week as the deadline, in case of non-compliance with the environmental required rules and decisions to silence and eliminate smoke, they will face serious consequences.

Fifth: launching a campaign, by the Erbil Transport and Traffic Directorate, to inspect and chase up those vehicles that have gas emissions and cause damages to the environment.Their vehicles will be confiscated and they will be obliged to repair their vehicles.

Sixth: Khabat Steam Station must meet all the environmental and health requirements.
Both Ministries of Electricity and Natural Resources asked to comply with the environment protection procedures and requirements.

Seventh: A formation of a high committee was decided, therefore to apply those decisions and follow up on them.

It was Erbil Governor, Omed Khoshnaw’s recommendation for the Ministry of Natural Resources not to give any crude oil to illegal refineries.

He also stated “we announced at the meeting that any directors who compromises with the decisions, they will face consequences, and opposite is correct, they will be rewarded.”

Khoshnaw highlighted “none of these or their companies are important to us, but people of Erbil are important to us and Government of Kurdistan Region.

Translated into English by Seyran.