Iraq Loses One Trillion Dinars Annually.. MP: Corruption In Ports Is "Dangerous"
Economy |Baghdad Today – Baghdad Member of Parliament Yasser Al-Hussaini revealed, today, Wednesday (August 14, 2024), that Iraq is exposed to a loss of one trillion dinars annually due to corruption in the ports, while describing what is happening in the ports as "dangerous."
Al-Hussaini said in an interview with Baghdad Today, "The parliamentary investigation committee continues to collect documents and evidence that prove day after day the extent of the major violations of public funds, and the documented numbers confirm beyond doubt that they are higher than what we mentioned previously in terms of losses and financial violations in general."
He added, "What is happening in the ports is the mortgage of this large economic facility to companies affiliated with political forces for decades through contracts that oblige the government, noting that Iraq loses nearly a trillion dinars annually that goes into the accounts and pockets of companies."
Al-Hussaini pointed out that "what is happening in the ports is dangerous and what we have revealed so far raises many question marks, stressing that all investigations and documents will be submitted to the Iraqi judiciary."
On Friday (July 12, 2024), the head of the Parliamentary Order 160 Committee to investigate suspicions of corruption in Iraqi ports, Yasser Al-Hussaini, revealed 3 results that he described as “bitter” in the Basra ports file.
Al-Husseini told Baghdad Today, "What we are doing is perhaps the most important parliamentary investigation to preserve the wealth of Iraqis by addressing a sensitive and dangerous file due to the huge amount of money and the administrative and financial violations that have been detected."
He added, "Investigations are continuing into the file of suspicions of financial and administrative corruption in Iraqi ports, despite the existence of three-dimensional pressures from influential political and governmental parties in a single attempt, which is to undermine the work of the committee as much as possible and obstruct what it is doing."
The MP said, "Three bitter facts were revealed: the waste of 20 trillion dinars is not suspicion, but a fact. There is a lot of evidence accompanied by long decades that mortgage Iraq's wealth to corrupt political parties. In addition, the extent of the pressures revealed the identity of those who want to keep the scourge of corruption eating away at the ports to sustain their coffers with money, without caring about the harm it causes to the Iraqis."
He considered that "the investigation into the Basra ports file is the most dangerous and important and is a courageous step in confronting the scourge of corruption that has large arms," stressing that "what we seek is to preserve public money and stop the draining of the country's wealth."
Member of the Parliamentary Integrity Committee, Ali Turki, had previously stated that the committee formed to investigate corruption files in the ports had failed in its mission.
On April 15, the acting Speaker of Parliament, Mohsen Al-Mandalawi, decided to form a parliamentary committee to investigate “violations” at Iraqi ports.
The committee is formed under the chairmanship of MP Yasser Hashem Al-Hussaini and the membership of MPs Faleh Al-Khazaali, Hassan Salem Abdul Rahim Al-Shammari, Mona Al-Sabil, Siban Aziz Soran Omar Muwaffaq Hussein Saud Al-Saadi Abdul Amir Al-Mayahhi Alaa Al-Haidari Ali Al-Maksousi, and Rafiq Al-Salihi. It is responsible for investigating violations in Iraqi ports, and the committee will be supported by employees from the ministry and the relevant bodies according to the committee’s needs, and the results of the investigation will be presented to the House of Representatives.” LINK
ANALYSIS
The recent revelations about corruption in Iraq's ports have exposed a severe economic crisis, with the country reportedly losing one trillion dinars annually. This loss is attributed to corrupt practices involving companies linked to political forces, which have allegedly been siphoning off public funds through long-term contracts.
Member of Parliament Yasser Al-Hussaini has described the situation as "dangerous" and outlined that the parliamentary investigation is uncovering significant financial violations. He emphasized that these investigations are crucial for addressing the misuse of Iraq's resources and stopping the drain on the country’s wealth.
The investigation has revealed three major issues: the massive waste of 20 trillion dinars, the involvement of corrupt political parties, and the substantial pressures exerted to hinder the investigation’s progress. Despite these challenges, the committee, led by Al-Hussaini, continues to pursue accountability and transparency, aiming to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The corruption in the ports has been a persistent issue, and the parliamentary committee's efforts represent a crucial step toward addressing and mitigating these problems. The results of the ongoing investigation are expected to be submitted to the judiciary, potentially leading to significant legal and administrative reforms.
