BAGHDAD - A new bill that look at developing Iraq's economic infrastructure that was submitted to parliament by the Iraqi Cabinet has was criticized by Kurdish MPs for what they beleived were shortcomings in the bill.
The Economy and Investment Committee in the Iraqi Council of Representatives asked Sunday the government to provide more information about the infrastructure law before it is put to vote in parliament.
Committee chairman Mahma Khalil said "Some MPs have fears about corruption and the distribution of projects, their names, profits, and the companies. The government has spent billions of dollars on infrastructure and did not accomplish anything ... The law includes legal and constitutional gaps."
"The law needs more consultations, and the blocs didn't agree about it so far," Khalil added.
Kurdish officials also voiced concerns that the bill does not mention clear procecdurs for the implementation of the infrastructure developments.
The MP also said "The committee agreed on paying %17 of the budget to Kurdistan Region to spend it in its infrastructure development but the problem is the ways and procedure for implementing were not clarified, said Najeeba Najeeb, a member of the finance committee.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki visited the Council of Representatives yesterday to discuss the economic infrastructure bill.
Member of the security and defense committee Shwan Mohammed Teha said after the visit "Parliament Members from many factions had a number of questions and observations regarding the bill and ways to pass it despite answering them by the PM. For that reason the session was postponed to Monday."
Teha believed that State of Law wanted to pass the bill but the MPs' positions from Sadrist Movement and Islamic Supreme Council were clear. Other lists were against passing the draft law because of their suspicion of the bill that it would waste the wealth of the country.
Teha added "We do not have money issues in Iraq, but the country lacks of proper management with dealing with the Iraq's massive budget."
Iraq's Komal MP Fatih Daraghaye stressed "The passing of the bill postponed to Monday. Due to huge observation from MPs the bill will not reach the assent soon."
© AK News 2012
