Public Outcry Over Electricity Policy in Kirkuk and Sulaymaniyah
Situation Overview
On March 3, 2025, residents and activists in Kirkuk Governorate expressed significant dissatisfaction with the local government’s decision to restrict civil generator operation hours. The policy permits operation only from 4 PM to 1 AM, leaving many homes without electricity during critical times, particularly during the month of Ramadan.
Community Reactions
Activist Omar Al-Mafraji articulated that this policy has incited considerable unrest among the populace, emphasizing the need for a reevaluation. "Residents cannot endure complete darkness after 1 AM, especially during Ramadan, when evening hours are crucial for family gatherings and communal activities," he stated. The growing frustration has been echoed across social media platforms, where numerous critiques of the government’s decision have surfaced.
Issues in Sulaymaniyah
In a similar vein, residents of Sulaymaniyah voiced their grievances on March 2, 2025, regarding soaring prices for civil generator electricity, which reportedly reached 21,000 dinars in the past month. Muhammad Hussein, a member of the local protest committee, highlighted that Sulaymaniyah is grappling with insufficient electricity supply amid a sharp rise in generator fees. The situation is compounded by the region’s challenging financial landscape, which has rendered residents increasingly vulnerable.
"The excessive charges for generator use reflect a failure in local governance, as electricity supply has dwindled to just five hours a day during Ramadan, coinciding with a cold wave," Hussein explained. The sticker shock of generator fees is particularly burdensome for low-income families, increasing the financial strain in a region already grappling with salary issues and economic instability.
Decline in Service Quality
Residents have further criticized the overall decline in service quality in Sulaymaniyah, especially concerning the main electricity supply. Citizen Aram Hashem described the ongoing crisis succinctly: "During the past 24 hours, power was available for merely two hours, which is an undeniable catastrophe as we enter the first days of Ramadan amidst low temperatures."
Conclusion
The contrasting challenges in Kirkuk and Sulaymaniyah reveal a broader crisis of infrastructure management and economic pressures facing these regions. As local governments respond to these rising tensions and demands, the need for sustainable solutions to electricity provision is becoming increasingly urgent to mitigate community unrest and ensure the welfare of residents during this critical period.
