Iraq needs extra $2-$2.5 bln a year for power

[Barrett808]

Source: Reuters

LONDON, April 25 (Reuters) - Iraq must lure between $2 billion and $2.5 billion per year in international aid and investment if it is to rebuild its devastated power sector, the country's electricity minister said on Wednesday.

The minister, Karim Hasan, was in London to enlist the help of energy companies including BP.

Power cuts are a daily occurrence, especially in the capital Baghdad, as a result of nearly three decades of war damage, poor maintenance because of sanctions and due to sabotage.

"We rebuild and they destroy every day," Hasan said, referring to the sabotage attacks.

He said he was seeking to protect the country's power plants with security forces, including around 7,000 "power police," but added: "I can't secure the power transmission."

"Many people have died because of the lack of electricity. Most of the hospitals are not working because of a shortage of electricity," he told reporters.


Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L25722895.htm

[partylessinOhio]

1. Iraq's oil is being sold isn't it? Where is that money going?

That money belongs to Iraq and not to American crooks like Halliburton/Cheney.