Mosul is still not getting the funds it needs to rebuild, the governor of Nineveh province told Rudaw in an interview on Thursday.
The budget given to his province “does not match the size of destruction” caused during the Islamic State (ISIS) conflict, said Governor Najim al-Jabouri.
He estimated the northern Iraqi city needs more than $20 billion to rebuild. The 2019 federal budget allocated $560 million for Mosul’s reconstruction, according to Reuters. Due to political turmoil Baghdad did not approve a full budget for 2020.
On security, Jabouri would like to see police taking responsibility within cities like Mosul and Shingal, with the army and militia groups leaving the urban centres. “I think it is not easy for the prime minister to make this happen, but he is doing his best in this regard,” he said. Baghdad and Erbil on Friday reached an agreement for governance and security of disputed Shingal.
Rudaw: What is the extent of the damage caused to Nineveh province in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS)?
Najim al-Jabouri: The province is still suffering from many issues because the budget dedicated for the rehabilitation of Nineveh does not match the size of damage caused to Mosul city and Nineveh province. The center of Shingal district is also severely damaged. Some 60 to 80 percent of the city is damaged.
How much of Nineveh province has been rehabilitated since its liberation from ISIS?
A significant part of the left side of Mosul has been rehabilitated. This is in terms of its infrastructure. For example, most of the bridges have been damaged. A third bridge will be completed in the next two months, inshallah. Many hospitals were damaged during the ISIS conflict. They have not been rehabilitated properly yet. We have an issue in this regard. Nineveh province is the only province deprived of compensation. It has been oppressed in this regard. However, the provinces of Ramadi and Salahaddin have received most of the compensation. We still have problems in this regard. For example, we have 47,000 requests for compensation but only 2,000 of them have been compensated.
How many projects are in progress and how many have been completed? Who covers them?
As per the plan we set in 2019, we had to do nearly 700 projects. Some of them have been completed and some are underway. The projects are various: schools, mosques, roads, and others related to water and electricity. The Global Coalition [against ISIS] has also supported us through organization, for example the University of Mosul. The US, UNDP [United Nations Development Programme], and German GIZ [development agency] have also provided aid.
Some houses and government offices in Shingal were damaged as well. Is there any plan for their rehabilitation to pave the way for the return of its population?
Yes, there has been some work as well, but, as you know, the dedicated budget for Shingal and the province does not match the size of the destruction. Upon our request, the prime minister sent a delegation and a special budget was dedicated for Shingal. It is supervised by a special committee to rehabilitate damaged parts of Shingal because the wound to Shingal is deep and it needs a special budget.
There is a dispute over the administration of Shingal. What do you think about the current administration of the district? How can this issue be resolved?
I have discussed this subject with His Excellency [Kurdistan Democratic Party, KDP] President Masoud Barzani. I have also discussed it with Iraqi prime minister [Mustafa al-Kadhimi] and Kurdistan Region’s interior minister [Reber Ahmed]. We agreed with the Iraqi prime minister and Kurdistan Region’s interior minister that the administration of the city should rely on an agreement between the federal and Kurdistan governments. They promised to appoint a new administration to Shingal district soon.
Have you set a date for the inauguration of a new administration? How will they be elected?
Based on my understanding of what was said by the prime minister and Kurdistan Regional Government’s interior minister, a new administration will be appointed, through election or employment, as per the agreement made on Shingal.
When will the Popular Mobilization Forces [PMF, Hashd al-Shaabi in Arabic] and other forces leave Mosul and Shingal?
We have told the prime minister multiple times, now and in the past, that the army and Hashd should operate outside cities, not in downtowns. Security of cities should be tasked to local police in Shingal or the Nineveh Plains. I think it is not easy for the prime minister to make this happen, but he is doing his best in this regard.
In relation to the rehabilitation of Nineveh province, is the Iraqi government committed to its promises?
As I told you before, we are experiencing a difficult economic crisis. Despite this, the prime minister pays special attention to Mosul. The dedicated budget does not match the size of destruction in Nineveh province in general. ISIS has destroyed a large part of the province.
How much money do you need to rehabilitate Mosul?
As per the estimates made by experts, we need more than $20 billion.
Does ISIS still pose a threat to Nineveh in general and Mosul in particular?
The ISIS threat still exists, but it is not as great as it used to be because people’s thoughts have changed a lot. Most of the people of Nineveh support the security forces and they refuse all terrorist organizations. The situation will not return to what it was before 2014. But the question is, can Daesh [ISIS] or any other terrorist organization pose a threat? Yes, they are always a threat. All preparations have been made to respond to such a possibility. We continue chasing Daesh in Jazeera, Salahaddin, and Ramadi. There are still some Daesh members in Makhmour district’s mountains. Everyone should provide support and coordinate – be it intelligence, government, or international institutions or the Kurdistan Region.
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