Diyala governor says electricity collection revenues will stay in the province

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Diyala Governor Adnan al-Shammari announced that the province will retain its electricity collection revenues following a decision to transfer the management of electricity distribution branches from the Ministry of Electricity to local governments. The decision was made at a meeting of the Supreme Coordination Committee Between Provinces chaired by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaydi, al-Shammari said. According to the governor, the prime minister also authorized provincial leaders to sign contracts with companies for clean energy projects. Al-Shammari said electricity collection revenues in Diyala reach approximately 6 billion dinars per month and had previously been transferred to the federal government. Under the new arrangement, each province will keep its own electricity revenue and the local distribution branch will come under local government responsibility. Al-Shammari said the process will be carried out in coordination with the relevant bodies in Baghdad and that the necessary approvals and procedures will be completed in stages.