Iraq allocates 1 trillion dinars to Diwaniyah development package

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi lawmaker Basim al-Garrabi said the federal government has agreed to a 1 trillion Iraqi dinars support package for Diwaniyah province following a meeting with Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaydi. The package follows the "Diwaniyah Deserves It" initiative and includes plans to elevate the "Diwaniyah, Iraq's Agricultural Capital" project into a government program. The program covers agricultural projects, conversion industries, infrastructure work and support for farmers and producers. The prime minister also ordered the creation of a high-level government commission dedicated to Diwaniyah to monitor stalled and delayed projects, remove obstacles and make recommendations to relevant institutions. The commission will prepare a development vision spanning agriculture, industry, services and investment sectors, aimed at creating employment. Under the directive to the Ministry of Finance, 650 billion dinars will be transferred to the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Municipalities for projects facing financing difficulties, while the remaining 350 billion dinars will be used to settle outstanding dues owed to farmers and producers. The meeting also addressed issues including corruption, sectarian allocations, project delays and oversight weaknesses in the province.