Shafaq News- Baghdad
Iraq's Oil Ministry has removedspokesperson Abdul-Sahib Bazzoun Al-Hassnawi from his post over "repeatedshortcomings” in statements related to the country's recent gasoline crisis,which sparked angry reactions, a well-informed source told Shafaq News onWednesday.
The ministry ordered the change inline with directives from Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi to reorganize officialmedia offices. Al-Hassnawi will remain in charge of the ministry's mediaoffice, while a replacement from the ministry's economic department has beenappointed to serve as spokesperson.
The source also indicated that thegasoline shortage is expected to be resolved within days through fuel importsfrom the United Arab Emirates, pending repairs to technical faults at severalrefineries producing petroleum derivatives.
Al-Hassnawi previously rejectedreports of a gasoline shortage in remarks to Shafaq News, attributingcongestion at filling stations to increased fuel consumption driven by hightemperatures. He maintained that domestic gasoline production exceeds dailydemand, which stands at around 32 million liters.
However, sources had revealed thatthe detention of Deputy Oil Minister for Refining Affairs Adnan al-Jumaili in acorruption investigation may have contributed to supply disruptions and lengthyqueues since the Eid Al-Adha holiday, with some northern refineries reportedlyslowing or suspending fuel shipments in protest over the move. To safeguardenergy supplies, Iraq's High Commission for Human Rights (IHCHR) called onauthorities to strengthen domestic production and expand refining capacity.
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