SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region – As part of a government clampdown on illegal refineries polluting the environment, Sulaimani province has closed down 14 of the operations and plans more, according to the governor. So far 84 of the unlicensed refineries have been closed across three of the Kurdistan Region’s provinces.
According to unofficial figures, there are nearly 40 illegal refineries in Sulaimani province, most of them located in the Tanjaro area, east of Sulaimani city.
These operations have been producing kerosene and gasoline for years. Last October, a government council headed by the Ministry of the Interior and including trade and environment administrations, ordered their closure.
"Ever since we have received the decree, either from the Ministry of Natural resources, Oil and Gas council, or the Ministry of Interior, we have implemented the decision concerning Sulaimani," Governor Haval Abubakir told Rudaw on Thursday.
They have closed all 14 refineries located in areas under his jurisdiction, but have not been able to take action against those that lie beyond his reach. Regions like Garmiyan, to the south, have an independent administration.
The illegal refineries are known to dumb toxic material into rivers and into the soil. Complaints from the public spurred the government crackdown. In their October decision, the council gave authorities 60 days to shut down an estimated 200 offending operations.
Erbil has closed fewer than half of those within their borders.
"The Ministries of Interior and Natural Resources gave us a list of the names of 104 illegal refineries. Forty of them have been closed and we have notified the remaining 64 that are still operating," Erbil Mayor Nabaz Abdulhamid told Rudaw on Thursday.
In Duhok, 30 of 37 illegal refineries have been closed, according to Majid Salih, the governor's representative for fuel affairs and a member of the committee set up to carry out the closures.
"Seven refineries remain. They meet the criteria of the Ministry of Natural Resources, hence, they won't be closed," Salih said.
Officials acknowledge they have failed to meet the 60-day deadline, but argue they are making progress against a formidable foe.
"It is true the speed at which these refineries are closed doesn't meet expectations, but compared to the forces that stand behind the refineries, it’s not too bad," Rekawt Zaki, Sulaimani Provincial Council member, told Rudaw.
"Ordinary people" can't establish a refinery, he pointed out. Government personnel, party officials, and businessmen are behind the operations.
"We hope this time the government is serious to continue until the end and close the refineries," he added. "Besides polluting our environment, soil, and air, they bring low quality fuel and gasoline into the market."
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is in the middle of a week-long campaign to promote protection of the environment.
Reporting by Saman Basharati