By Frsat Said Shkur
Introduction
The ninth cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government, led by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, took office on July 10, 2019. This cabinet assumed its responsibilities at a time when the Kurdistan Region was facing a series of severe challenges, including a financial crisis, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a decline in oil prices, and disputes with the federal government in Baghdad.
Despite these obstacles, the government, through its project plans and the construction of robust infrastructure, has made significant strides in various fields and implemented several strategic projects to serve its citizens. For a government operating in a crisis-ridden environment, this wasn’t easy, and the path was full of challenges. All these steps were instrumental in protecting the entity of the Kurdistan Region and countering the continuous threats it faced.
Overcoming Challenges
Within this framework, the Kurdistan Regional Government, in its ninth cabinet, has worked to diversify its sources of internal revenue and reduce its reliance on oil income. This was achieved by focusing on the agricultural, industrial, and tourism sectors, as well as implementing general reforms.
Important Projects for Public Service
The ninth cabinet has ushered in a significant and effective phase in the field of service and strategic projects. Here, we highlight some of them:
Roads and Highways: Approximately 650 road projects have been implemented, 75 of which are strategic. These projects were carried out with the aim of advancing the economic infrastructure, facilitating citizen transport, and connecting cities and towns, providing long-term benefits to the public.
Drinking Water: To address the water shortage problem in the capital, Erbil, the Erbil Emergency Water Project was implemented. This project purifies 480,000 cubic meters of water per day, solving the water problem for several neighborhoods in Erbil, which had become a major issue for the daily life of citizens.
Agriculture and Food Security: Great importance has been given to the agricultural sector. Four silos have been built in the region’s provinces, and a large number of factories have been licensed. Additionally, to ensure water security, 25 dams and 103 ponds have been constructed as part of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s strategic projects.
Public Services: In the education sector, more than 157 new schools and kindergartens have been built, and a large number have been renovated. The sector has been institutionalized with an emphasis on electronic systems and adaptation to advanced global education systems.
Health Sector: Several hospitals have been built or are under construction. Serious efforts have been made to ensure that most medical treatments that previously required travel outside the region can be handled within the Kurdistan Region.
Protecting the Diplomatic Status of the Kurdistan Region: Despite regional complexities and external pressures, the ninth cabinet, under the leadership of Masrour Barzani, has managed to protect the diplomatic status of the Kurdistan Region and strengthen its relations with countries around the world. The Prime Minister’s participation in international forums has been an opportunity to introduce the Kurdistan Region and attract investment and trade. These diplomatic efforts have led to the Kurdistan Region being treated as an important entity on the international stage. The region has even demonstrated its ability to resolve regional problems and complexities, such as its role in the peace process in Turkey and North Kurdistan, as well as its proposals and steps to de-escalate tensions in Syria and West Kurdistan.
The Lighting Project: This is one of the important projects of the ninth cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government. It aims to completely solve the electricity problem, reduce its price from the previous high rates to a low cost, and have a comprehensive positive impact on the living conditions of citizens in general.
Conclusion
The ninth cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government, led by Masrour Barzani, has managed to achieve significant accomplishments in various fields despite facing challenges. The implementation of strategic projects, especially in the areas of economic infrastructure and public services, as well as the protection of the region’s political and diplomatic status, are indicators of the success of this cabinet’s agenda. The continuation of these steps can secure a brighter future for the Kurdistan Region. Furthermore, maintaining balance amidst the complexities of the Middle East has once again portrayed the Kurdistan Region as an important and desirable hub for peace and security in the area.