Kirkuk provincial council approves relocation of waste transfer station

KIRKUK, Iraq — The head of the Kirkuk Provincial Council, Muhammad Ibrahim al-Hafiz, said the council has approved the relocation of the al-Wasit waste transfer station from its current site adjacent to the council building to an alternative area identified through talks with municipal and environmental authorities. Al-Hafiz said the project will be referred shortly to the Local Administration Ministry and implemented using funds already allocated. He added that the council also reviewed files including the selection of mukhtars, alleged exploitation within the Civil Defense and Traffic directorates, and plans to incorporate those units' needs into future budgets. Four surveillance cameras have been provided to the Kirkuk Traffic Directorate and are expected to enter service soon, according to al-Hafiz. Al-Hafiz said a significant share of traffic accidents at the city's entry points stem from drivers exceeding speed limits when leaving the Kurdistan Region. The council also held previous administrative and executive bodies responsible in the exploitation cases, noting that the return of a figure previously removed from the Tasallut (Encroachment) Commission over suspected land-trading activity has complicated violations, particularly in southern Kirkuk. No further details were immediately available.