Iraqi lawmaker calls for review of Basra's limited powers and delayed rights

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Bahiya Arici, head of the Reconstruction and Development Bloc in the Iraqi parliament, said Basra continues to pay the price of marginalization despite being the country's economic heart and its most important oil-producing region. She called for a review of the province's limited administrative authorities and the delivery of rights it has long been owed. Arici urged the strengthening of Basra's local governance structure and greater coordination with the central government. She said oil revenues should be distributed more fairly to the producing region and that infrastructure investment should be accelerated. The lawmaker called on political parties to show a unified will to resolve the issue and to update relevant legislation. She said the Basra file should be opened without further delay, warning that the province's growing problems could spread to the rest of the country if left unaddressed. Arici appealed to officials to take concrete steps to meet the city's needs. No further details were immediately available on a timeline or specific government response.