Provincial Council Member Alleges Oil Revenue Misuse in Dhi Qar

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A member of Dhi Qar Provincial Council alleged that oil companies have spent billions of dollars from social benefit funds on routine municipal expenses that should have been covered by the provincial budget. Neğam el-Ibrahimi, the council member, said the funds were used for road construction and government office maintenance. He said this spending provided only superficial appeasement rather than sustainable development for the province's residents. Ibrahimi said no money from the social benefit funds has been transferred to the provincial treasury in the past three years. He noted that the province lacks medical facilities for cancer and burn patients, forcing residents to travel outside the region for treatment. The social benefit funds are allocated under oil contracts to support local communities near oil operations. The Provincial Council did not immediately respond to requests for comment.