Baghdad's Mayor Threatens to Quit Over State of City

Failure of Iraqi government and U.S. forces to repair war-damaged urban infrastructure makes effort to govern the capital city "useless".

1 minute read

July 4, 2005, 1:00 PM PDT

By Michael Dudley

"According to City Hall, Baghdad produces about 544 million gallons of water per day, some 370 million gallons short of its required amount. Some 55 percent of the water is lost through leakage in the pipes. raqis also complain of shortages of power and fuel.

Electrical shortfalls were common during the Saddam Hussein era and attributed to a poor distribution network, but the situation has worsened due to sabotage and lack of maintenance. Before the U.S.-led invasion, Baghdad residents had about 20 hours of electricity a day. Today, they get about 10, usually broken into two-hour chunks. In addition, Iraq is not able to refine enough oil, so must import gasoline. Convoys carrying fuel are often attacked by insurgents and the ensuing shortage has led to a black market in Baghdad."

Thanks to Michael Dudley

FULL STORY: Baghdad's mayor complains about crumbling capital

Monday, July 4, 2005 in The San Diego Union-Tribune

Government / Politics United States

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