Amid widespread protests over a power crisis, Iraq’s prime minister has ordered the suspension of the country’s electricity minister.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi made the announcement on his Twitter account on Sunday. He said the suspension of the minister, Qassim al-Fahdawi, would last until an investigation into poor service is concluded.

Despite billions of dollars spent since the 2003 United States-led invasion toppled the dictator Saddam Hussein, many Iraqi cities and towns still experience severe power cuts and rolling blackouts.

The issue has also partly fueled this month’s protests in Iraq’s southern Shiite heartland, mainly in the energy-rich province of Basra.