Monday, November 06, 2006
$25 mn for Najaf reconstruction
Reconstruction
The Ministry of Finance has allocated $25 million for the reconstruction of the holy city of Najaf, Governor Asaad Sultan said. Sultan said the money is part of allocations the government has set aside “to reconstruct the war-torn cities and town in four Iraqi provinces.” Najaf, the capital of a province of the same name, was scene of pitched battles in 2004 between fighters of Mahdi Army led by the Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and U.S. occupation troops. The city was heavily damaged and residents say traces of destruction still linger on. Sultan, Najaf’s governor, said the government will deposit the money in the city where the provincial council has drawn a long list of projects to be implemented.
“The Ministry of Finance is determined to open an account in the holy city of Najaf to deposit $25 million which the province’s share of the money allocated for the reconstruction of areas destroyed by wars,” the governor said. Meantime, Sultan said he visited South Korean embassy in Baghdad where he thank the ambassador for his country’s efforts in rehabilitating Najaf. South Korea is actively taking part in reconstructing the province’s health system has granted Najaf’s health department $1 million.
“The Ministry of Finance is determined to open an account in the holy city of Najaf to deposit $25 million which the province’s share of the money allocated for the reconstruction of areas destroyed by wars,” the governor said. Meantime, Sultan said he visited South Korean embassy in Baghdad where he thank the ambassador for his country’s efforts in rehabilitating Najaf. South Korea is actively taking part in reconstructing the province’s health system has granted Najaf’s health department $1 million.
COMMENT:It is interesting to note that the predominantly Sunni towns of Samarra, Fallujah and Tal Afar have also been serioualy damaged, but Najaf is prioritised. Najaf is a holy city for Shias across the Middle East and therefore makes money from pilgrims who travel there. It is also the political capital for the Shias. Mr. Bayan Jaber Solagh is the Minister of Finance and is Shia, he is also a member of the SCIRI of the United Iraqi Alliance. COMMENT ENDS.
