The Parliamentary Oil, Gas, and Natural Resources Committee has emphasized the critical importance of expediting the legislation of the Oil and Gas Law, affirming serious intentions to push for its approval during the current parliamentary session, following years of protracted
delays and stagnation in its promulgation efforts. In this context, MP Zaynab al-Tamimi, a member of the committee, stated in remarks to the official newspaper that the Presidency of the Council of Representatives, the committee's leadership, and its members prioritize the
Oil and Gas Law. Al-Tamimi noted that the previous session witnessed intensive efforts to mature this law, but these did not yield the anticipated outcome at the time. She added that current session MPs, particularly representatives from Basra Governorate, underscore
the necessity of completing the law within this term. She also pointed out concrete and genuine intentions to proceed with its enactment, as the law was among the primary subjects discussed by the Oil and Gas Committee during its ongoing
meetings. Al-Tamimi expressed hope that the law would see the light of day during the current session, asserting that it would address numerous challenges and problems facing the oil sector, in addition to providing a clear legal framework for regulating
its operations comprehensively. For his part, committee member MP Banas al-Doski affirmed in an interview with the official newspaper that the Oil and Gas Law should have been debated and enacted since 2007, given its paramount importance in defining rights, duties,
obligations, and general powers within the vital oil sector. Al-Doski stated that Iraq's oil sector faces a state of stagnation due to the continuous absence of a federal law regulating its work, as the old legal frameworks are no longer
sufficient to keep pace with the rapid developments in this sector. He warned that the ongoing lack of a law has directly contributed to the exacerbation of several existing failures and challenges. Al-Doski stressed that the current phase necessitates a
genuine and firm political will to legislate the law, especially as Iraq is in dire need of a comprehensive federal framework to regulate oil wealth management, sales, and export operations, and to clarify the responsibilities and powers of all relevant
bodies in an unambiguous manner.
