Iraq’s oil minister asks Parliament to question him amid energy sector scrutiny

BAGHDAD — Iraqi Oil Minister Bassem al-Abadi asked Parliament on Tuesday to host him for questioning, in what the ministry called ‘cooperation’ between the executive and legislative branches.

Abadi had “expressed his readiness” to answer lawmakers’ questions and explain “the ministry’s procedures and plans across its various portfolios,” the Oil Ministry said, describing the move as an effort to strengthen transparency. Under Iraq’s Constitution, ministers may be summoned by the Council of Representatives for questioning, and less commonly may request such a session themselves. The statement did not say when the session would take place or whether the request was tied to a specific issue.

It came after a group of lawmakers on Sunday moved to summon the electricity and oil ministers to review the state of the power sector, also urging expanded investment in Iraq’s associated gas, still widely flared at oil fields, to fuel power stations domestically. The parliamentary presidency later approved the request to host the electricity minister.

Electricity Minister Ali Saadi Waheeb also said Monday he had asked to appear before Parliament to brief lawmakers on the power system and measures to address the worsening crisis.

Nearly 60% of the electricity Iraq generates never reaches consumers because of network losses, former Electricity Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Mousa al-Abadi said this week, arguing that fixing distribution should be the government’s first priority.