Environmental group criticizes Masrour Barzani over illegal refineries and factories
By: TII team
Date: January 14, 2025
By: TII team
Date: January 14, 2025
An Illegal oil refinery in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, December 5, 2024. Photo: K24
Kurdish Environmental Group Criticizes Lack of Action on Pollution Policies
SULAIMANI, Iraqi Kurdistan region,— The Future Organization for Environmental Protection, Ayinde, has expressed frustration over the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) handling of environmental policies, accusing officials of repeatedly failing to enforce critical measures.
During a press conference held Monday at Azadi Park in Sulaimani city, the group criticized Prime Minister Masrour Barzani’s recent decisions aimed at addressing the region’s environmental crisis.
The organization argued that these measures, announced after a government meeting focused on environmental issues, merely rehashed earlier policies that have gone unenforced.
“These same decisions have been issued six times before by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Prime Minister, but they have not been implemented,” said Maruf Majid, head of the Future Organization for Environmental Protection.
The organization highlighted worsening environmental conditions across Iraqi Kurdistan Region, pointing to numerous illegal factories and refineries that operate without adhering to environmental standards.
Kurdish Environmental Group Criticizes Lack of Action on Pollution Policies
SULAIMANI, Iraqi Kurdistan region,— The Future Organization for Environmental Protection, Ayinde, has expressed frustration over the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) handling of environmental policies, accusing officials of repeatedly failing to enforce critical measures.
During a press conference held Monday at Azadi Park in Sulaimani city, the group criticized Prime Minister Masrour Barzani’s recent decisions aimed at addressing the region’s environmental crisis.
The organization argued that these measures, announced after a government meeting focused on environmental issues, merely rehashed earlier policies that have gone unenforced.
“These same decisions have been issued six times before by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Prime Minister, but they have not been implemented,” said Maruf Majid, head of the Future Organization for Environmental Protection.
The organization highlighted worsening environmental conditions across Iraqi Kurdistan Region, pointing to numerous illegal factories and refineries that operate without adhering to environmental standards.
Maruf Majid, head of the Future “Ayinde” Organization for Environmental Protection at a press conference in Sulaimani city, Iraqi Kurdistan, January 14, 2025.
Photo: Rojnews.news
Majid noted that while the government has pledged to hold non-compliant operations accountable, it has stopped short of ordering their closure.
“There are 238 illegal plants in Erbil alone, according to the governorate and relevant agencies, and none comply with environmental regulations,” Majid said. “The lack of action from the government is deeply unacceptable,”.
Activists, however, argue that the actual number of illegal refineries operating across the Kurdistan Region far exceeds official estimates, highlighting the extensive scope of unregulated activities fueling environmental damage.
Citing Law No. 8 of 2008, Majid called for judicial action against these plants, which could face fines of up to 200 million dinars for their role in environmental harm.
Despite a May 2023 decision to shutter 20 oil plants in Duhok, no enforcement action was taken, he added.
The group also raised alarms about pollution caused by illegal oil refining, which releases 30 hazardous substances into the air due to poor practices. Among the pollutants are 37 chemical compounds linked to significant health and environmental harm.
Majid noted that while the government has pledged to hold non-compliant operations accountable, it has stopped short of ordering their closure.
“There are 238 illegal plants in Erbil alone, according to the governorate and relevant agencies, and none comply with environmental regulations,” Majid said. “The lack of action from the government is deeply unacceptable,”.
Activists, however, argue that the actual number of illegal refineries operating across the Kurdistan Region far exceeds official estimates, highlighting the extensive scope of unregulated activities fueling environmental damage.
Citing Law No. 8 of 2008, Majid called for judicial action against these plants, which could face fines of up to 200 million dinars for their role in environmental harm.
Despite a May 2023 decision to shutter 20 oil plants in Duhok, no enforcement action was taken, he added.
The group also raised alarms about pollution caused by illegal oil refining, which releases 30 hazardous substances into the air due to poor practices. Among the pollutants are 37 chemical compounds linked to significant health and environmental harm.
Illegal oil refineries Iraqi Kurdistan, 2019. Photo: Rudaw
Majid urged the KRG to enforce its existing regulations and take concrete steps to protect the region’s environment.
“This is not a new problem,” he said. “Since 2015, we have seen promises without follow-through. The time for action is now.”
For years, transparency organizations, lawmakers, and international watchdogs have accused senior KRG officials of corruption, particularly in connection with the mismanagement of Kurdistan’s oil revenues.
Despite repeated pledges to combat graft, the government has made little progress in addressing these allegations.
Kurdistan is considered one of the most corrupt regions in Iraq. According to Kurdish lawmakers and leaked documents, billions of dollars are unaccounted for from the region’s oil revenues.
Activists and analysts have warned that without increased transparency and accountability, the environmental and economic issues facing the region will continue to worsen.
The KRG has yet to respond to the allegations raised by the Future Organization for Environmental Protection or to broader claims of corruption.
Copyright © 2025 The Insight International. All rights reserved
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Majid urged the KRG to enforce its existing regulations and take concrete steps to protect the region’s environment.
“This is not a new problem,” he said. “Since 2015, we have seen promises without follow-through. The time for action is now.”
For years, transparency organizations, lawmakers, and international watchdogs have accused senior KRG officials of corruption, particularly in connection with the mismanagement of Kurdistan’s oil revenues.
Despite repeated pledges to combat graft, the government has made little progress in addressing these allegations.
Kurdistan is considered one of the most corrupt regions in Iraq. According to Kurdish lawmakers and leaked documents, billions of dollars are unaccounted for from the region’s oil revenues.
Activists and analysts have warned that without increased transparency and accountability, the environmental and economic issues facing the region will continue to worsen.
The KRG has yet to respond to the allegations raised by the Future Organization for Environmental Protection or to broader claims of corruption.
Copyright © 2025 The Insight International. All rights reserved
Related posts:
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