MP calls for referendum on oil, gas law (Voices of Iraq)
An Iraqi Accordance Front (IAF) MP called for a referendum to be held on the oil and gas law once it is passed by the parliament, holding the parliament “historically responsible” in case the bill is passed without the Iraqi people's approval.
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An Iraqi Accordance Front (IAF) MP called for a referendum to be held on the oil and gas law once it is passed by the parliament, holding the parliament “historically responsible” in case the bill is passed without the Iraqi people's approval.
"The members of the parliament have to avoid holding this historic responsibility and resort to the Iraqi people for approving a law related to the present and future of this country," Hussein al-Falluji told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).
"The huge pressures facing the members of parliament and the government for speeding up discussions and approving the oil law will have dire consequences on the whole country and will increase problems in Iraq," he added.
He called for a referendum on the law as soon as it is passed, highlighting that only Iraqis have the right to approve or reject this law.
The Iraqi National Accord movement (INA), headed by former Iraqi prime minister Iyad Allawi, said that the draft oil and gas law does not fulfill Iraqi peoples’ interests, urging, on Friday, a slow down before approval.
The draft oil and gas law for the management of oil resources is considered one of the most controversial issues in Iraq and there are differences among political blocs on the law regarding the equitable distribution of revenue.
The law, if approved by parliament, will give Iraqi and foreign investors the right to set up establishments and oil refineries and use them for 50 years.
Iraq sits on the world's third-largest oil reserves and officials have sought, since last year, to finalize the draft law.
Most of Iraq's known oil reserves are located in the Shiite-dominated south and the Kurdish north, including those near oil-rich cities like West al-Qurna, Majnoun, Nahran Omar, Rafideen, Helfaya, Sabba, Lahees and Bazrkan.
Other areas like eastern Baghdad, al-Ahdab, Nasiriyah, and Artawy are also famous for their oil fields.
The law is vital for attracting foreign investment to Iraq, to boost its oil output and rebuild its economy.
Recent disputes have arisen after Iraq’s oil ministry warned regions in late April against signing contracts until the law was passed.
The Muslim Scholars Association, a leading Sunni clerics group accused by the Iraqi government of fomenting violence, said the law as drafted was "invalid and lacks legitimacy".
Al-Falluji called for forming a committee of experts in the oil field to make a complete study and present their suggestions to the parliament.
The parliamentary sessions are expected to witness fierce debates when the bill is presented for discussion.
Most of the IAF members, 44 seats, rejected the draft oil and gas law, as well as the Sadrist bloc which has 30 seats in the parliament.
Iraq's parliament is composed of 275 members. The quorum necessary to approve the law is half the members plus one (139 members)...
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MP calls for referendum on oil, gas law (Voices of Iraq)
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