Iraqi Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani Friday
revoked electricity
privileges enjoyed by government officials as he took temporary control
of the
power portfolio amid public fury over rationing.
Shahristani, a key ally of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, said his
measures
would redirect much-needed supplies to a national grid that currently
provides
ordinary citizens with power for only one hour in every five, or less.
"It is impossible for anyone who takes responsibility [for electricity]
for a few days to end the suffering of the Iraqi people," he told
reporters at a news conference in Baghdad.
"But I have taken these measures to reduce the problems facing those who
have a limited amount of electricity," a situation that sparked a riot
in
the southern city of Basra on June 19 that saw two men shot dead by
police.
Shahristani said he had ordered a stop to special supply measures
benefiting
Iraqi officials who lived in the International Green Zone and other
areas of
the capital.
The country's daily power generation averages 8,000 megawatts, while
demand
amid temperatures that have hit 54 degrees Celsius is typically more
than
14,000 MW, forcing the use of rationing.
Shahristani also said production increases ordered at several power
stations,
including ones at Beiji, 200 kilometers north of Baghdad, and
Nasiriyah, a southern city, would increase production by 250 MW.
Maliki Wednesday accepted the resignation of Karim Wahid, who as
electricity
minister had been the main target of protests over limited power
supplies as
temperatures across the country soared.