Iraq: Basra Integrity Commission probes alleged irregularities in stalled oxygen plant project

BASRA, Iraq — The head of Basra's provincial council Integrity Commission, Bidaa al-Nahi, said there are suspected irregularities and improper transactions in a project to build oxygen plants in the province that has remained incomplete since 2020. The project envisions four oxygen plants, with three completed at al-Jumhuriya, al-Qurna and Basra General hospitals and a fourth located at al-Shifa General Hospital. Al-Nahi alleged that improper procedures were carried out regarding the certificate of origin, and that equipment was switched from an American company to a British one. He also said Chinese-made materials were used and that required changes were not made to the bill of quantities. The commission head claimed the contractor carrying out the project is a businesswoman said to be an adviser to the head of an Iraqi political party. Basra's Integrity Commission has referred the matter to the investigative judge at the Basra Corruption and Money Laundering Court. According to al-Nahi, the file is being examined for legal action and the commission is following the process.