PM Barzani inaugurated the Gomaspan Dam and Gomaspan-Smaqooli Road, advancing Kurdistan’s water management, tourism, and economic growth.
Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has inaugurated the Gomaspan Dam and laid the foundation for the Gomaspan-Smaqooli road. During the ceremony that marked the joint inauguration of both projects, the Prime Minister spoke about the significance of this decision, noting that after several stages, the ninth cabinet has decided to complete the Gomaspan Dam project.
The Gomaspan Dam is one of the most important dams in Kurdistan, and it is planned to become an important strategic and tourism hub in Iraq. This vision has been made possible through the efforts and determination of the Prime Minister and the ninth cabinet. Prime Minister Masrour Barzani highlighted that the dam will significantly contribute to promoting tourism in the region, improving the local climate, supporting fisheries, and, most importantly, establishing the area as a major tourism destination in the vicinity of Erbil. Residents of the nearby Khushnawati Valley will also benefit from this development.
Regarding the reservoir water, PM Barzani said: “This water, which is rainwater and seasonal, would otherwise flow away. When we decided to build this dam, we envisioned various benefits. We all know that such dams offer great advantages to our farmers, who can use the water for agriculture. The underground water supply can also benefit greatly from this. Additionally, we have a grand plan to develop the tourism sector in this area, which includes the ongoing creation and completion of a master plan. We hope that with God’s help, we can continue on this path and improve the overall situation in the area by executing such projects.”
He further noted: “I have no doubt that this will become a very attractive place where people from Erbil and other Kurdish cities will visit. I’ve reviewed the master plan, and it’s truly unique and beautiful. While it’s not yet fully completed, once it’s done, we will immediately begin implementing the different aspects of the plan, which will greatly benefit the citizens of Kurdistan and create many job opportunities for the local people, not only through the construction of the project but also through the ongoing management of the facilities that will be built as part of the project. This will contribute to the economic development of the region and the creation of a stronger economic infrastructure, as well as providing more job opportunities for local residents.”
PM Barzani also emphasized that after the lake is completed, it will attract many visitors. Unfortunately, some people have been careless with environmental protection, throwing trash into the area. He urged the citizens to take this issue seriously, reminding them that Kurdistan is home to everyone and that protecting the environment is everyone’s responsibility. Those who come to enjoy the place must refrain from littering and instead clean up after themselves. The local community and volunteers are already helping maintain the area, encouraging visitors to keep it clean. The goal is to ensure that this beautiful place becomes an even more attractive, serene, and enjoyable destination for future generations and all the citizens of Kurdistan.
The Prime Minister announced: “This is one of the unique projects we’ve undertaken around Erbil, and we are committed to supporting and expanding it. Other projects are also in progress within the framework of water resource management, dam construction, and pond creation in other areas. These projects will all, once completed, provide substantial benefits to the people of Kurdistan. We hope that soon, residents of Erbil and other cities, including Shaqlawa, will come to enjoy this site, and it will become a key location for recreation and leisure.”
Regarding the second project, the construction of the Gomaspan-Smaqooli road, he noted: “The responsibility for this project has been assigned to Hemin Group. As you know, Hemin Group has implemented several major strategic projects across the Kurdistan Region, delivering them efficiently and with high international standards. This has built a high level of trust, and we are confident that they will carry out this project with the same quality and precision.
He continued: “This project represents the first phase of the construction of the Gomaspan-Smaqooli road. In the future, the surrounding areas will be connected, further enhancing tourism in the region. There will also be road connections between Erbil and the Raparin administration, as well as Erbil and Slemani, providing easier access to the site through the Smaqooli Valley. The second phase will extend toward Shaqlawa, linking these beautiful areas together. In the end, we aim to create a network of roads and infrastructure in the region, making it more accessible and appealing for visitors.”
Thus, the construction of a network of roads and paths in this area will connect all the beautiful and attractive locations. The pathway surrounding the lake, as part of the program and master plan designated for the region, will be developed in a modern and appealing manner. This will allow people not only to travel around the lake but also to visit other future attractions that, God willing, will be developed in this area, Barzani added.
Finally, the Prime Minister reiterated: “This is an essential program to advance the tourism sector in the area, benefiting our citizens. Water management and conservation are critical for ensuring sustainable water security, and we hope to see the fruits of these initiatives soon. Once again, I extend my appreciation to both companies involved—Senk for the construction of the dam and Hemin Group for their work on the Gomaspan-Smaqooli road project.”
The Kurdish Globe