Electricity a 'basic right'
Electricity crisis in Salah Al-Din’s Shirqat intensifies
SALAH AL-DIN — Electricity officials in Salah Al-Din’s town of Shirqat have committed to resolving ongoing power issues in the Al-Suqoor neighborhood, where residents face significant dangers due to improperly distributed power cables. These cables currently lie scattered on the ground, posing risks to pedestrians.
Residents have been compelled to create makeshift solutions to draw electricity from a nearby area, using extended cables that run over a kilometer on the ground. This setup is especially hazardous for children who are at risk of electric shocks. “For two years, we have suffered from the lack of transformers,” Rajab Sultan, a local resident, told 964media. “We have repeatedly appealed to the authorities and submitted formal requests and surveys, but to no avail.”
The scarcity of transformers forces residents to rely on dangerously laid cables. Sultan explained the peril, “We use cables laid on the ground, which are very dangerous for children and animals. Some children have suffered electric shocks.” Despite his family’s significant sacrifices for Iraq, Sultan emphasized that basic amenities remain out of reach. “My family has given seven martyrs, including two of my brothers, and electricity is one of our most basic of rights as Iraqis who have sacrificed so much. We only get three hours of electricity during the summer days, and in winter, we have to burn wood for heating and bathing water,” he elaborated.
Abdullah Awad, another resident, pointed out the inequity in the distribution of resources. “The electricity is very weak due to the long distances and dilapidated cables. We have submitted surveys for the need for a transformer five times, but the transformers go to areas with influential people,” he added.
“Weak electricity” refers to insufficient electrical power reaching homes and businesses, often causing low voltage issues. This can lead to ineffective appliance performance, frequent brownouts, increased appliance wear and tear, and elevated safety risks. In Shirqat, such conditions are exacerbated by long cable runs and deteriorating infrastructure.
Ahmed Hussein, Deputy Electricity Manager of Shirqat, acknowledged the bureaucratic hurdles contributing to the delay. “The delay in installing the transformer is due to approvals and official documents. We promise the residents that a transformer will be installed within a few days. I will personally oversee the completion of the required procedures, and I request 964media to return in a few days to document the installation of the transformer,” he said.
Iraq’s electricity issues stem from an aging infrastructure and systemic corruption that exacerbate the unreliability of the power supply. This situation, particularly acute during the scorching summer months when the demand for air conditioning spikes, has fueled public frustration and led to protests. Many Iraqis endure daily power outages lasting several hours, and the dependence on private generators has imposed additional financial burdens on households and businesses.
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