Japan-financed power station opened in Samawa

MUTHANNA / IraqiNews.com: Ceremonies were held on Monday to inaugurate a 60-MW diesel-powered electricity-generating station in the city of al-Samawa in the presence of Japanese State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Seiko Hashimoto, the deputy commander of the Multi-National Force – Iraq (MNF-I) and Muthanna province officials. “The inauguration of this station signifies the fact that efforts of cooperation between Japan and Iraq shifted to another stage in reconstruction,” Hashimoto said, adding the government of Japan will contribute to the reconstruction of Iraq and strengthening of long-term strategic partnership relations between the two countries. She praised the Iraqi electricity technicians. The Japanese government had approved in mid-May 2005 to finance the building of a power station in Samawa with a capacity of 60 megawatt and at a cost of $118 million. Works on the station had started during the first half of 2006. “The future reconstruction projects are not specified yet, but in general they are focused on developing electricity,” said Hashimoto during a press conference held on the sidelines of the ceremonies. The governor of Muthanna said he asked the Japanese to develop the station and increase its production capacity by adding for new unity that should double the station’s output. “During the past few days, we have received the Iraqi government’s approval to build a power station in the province at a capacity of 500 megawatt,” said the governor, noting works on the crude-powered station will begin next year. “We would like to thank the Japanese government and people for this project that helped lessen the suffering of the people of Muthanna,” he added. Samawa, the capital city of Muthanna , lies 280 km south of Baghdad . AmR (S)SR 1