The government of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Kadhimi is still facing increasing criticism and pressure due to the electricity issue.
Iraq suffers from severe electricity shortages after Iran stopped its gas supplies, a crisis exacerbated by the terrorist attacks on the power grid, along with the sector's issues inherited from previous governments.
All this prompted the government to form a crisis cell and a special force to protect electricity towers.
Kadhimi said during his visit to the headquarters of the Ministry of Electricity that Iraq spent nearly $80 billion on the electricity sector since 2003, adding that corruption was a substantial obstacle to providing power to people.
"Whoever has abused the energy sector through corruption, negligence, or political bargaining over the years, their action is no different from what terrorism is doing today by targeting energy transmission lines," he said.
Protests erupted in several regions in the center and south of the country against the severe power outages, with less than 6 hours supply per day in some areas.
"There are no quick solutions to the electricity problem, but we are trying to carry out the procedures and solutions in the fastest possible way," Kadhimi said.
He reiterated his rejection of those trying to hold his government responsible for the failing sector, announcing that investigations will continue to prosecute all corrupt persons in the electricity sector.
Kadhimi also attacked the terrorist groups targeting power towers, accusing the parties that support these actions and cooperate with terrorism of obstructing life in Iraq.
He also denounced "forces working to prevent Iraq from reaching self-sufficiency in energy and gas and trying to impede these efforts by every means."
Last week, the prime minister said during an interview that Iraq has been building gas power plants for 17 years, with the inability to provide them with gas.
"What is the reason for not connecting power lines with neighboring countries as well as the world over the last 17 years?" he wondered, adding that Iraq is only connected to the electricity grid of Iran.
Kadhimi toured the second gas power plant south of Baghdad, accompanied by several officials of the Ministry of Electricity.
He issued several directives related to the plant's work and the production sector to facilitate tasks, shorten the time and improve the level of service provided to citizens.
The premier also activated short, medium, and long-term strategic plans to solve chronic problems in the electricity sector.
