BY HIZKEL HAILU
It is crystal clear that the terrorist TPLF has managed to see the end of Ethiopia and Ethiopianism stirring turmoil, instigating conflict taking advantage of diversity as a scape goat and denying the age long mysterious magnetism among Ethiopians.
Basing in the north most and heading to the neighboring regions for vengeance aroused from ones inflating ego, the rapacious element with absolutely stubborn stance to defend and upgrade personal ego, in vain, continues to manipulate the values of humanity.
Unless one is willing to turn on deaf ear and blind eye in order to understand the destructions happened to different economic sectors of Ethiopia by the terrorist group, the devilish act must be condemned by any compassionate person. When doing so, the terrorist group is deliberately trying to dismantle Ethiopia and harm civilians. Obviously, this must be considered as crime against humanity and the nation’s economy. That is why the Ethiopian Government Communication Service called on the international community to open its eyes and see such atrocities.
During the aggression waged on different parts of Amhara and Afar regions, combatants of the terrorist group have made much damages on various health, education, economic and service sectors other than the brutal acts committed against many civilians including children and elderly even monks.
Regarding the calamity, The Ministry of Industry recently announced that the terrorist group has looted and destroyed all 40 factories in the cities of Kombolcha and Dessie located in Amhara Regional State. Moreover, the rebel group has also used the factories as military camps, fortresses and mass graves.
Melaku Alebel, Minister of Industry said that his office is discussing with the regional administrations and investors that factories at Kombolcha and Dessie cities have already been looted and damaged by the terrorist TPLF. As to him, about 40 factories that are found in and around these cities were totally and partially damaged and looted by the terrorist group.
The Ministry, together with a team of private and public journalists, unveiled the results of a field observation of the destruction and looting of the factories in Dessie and Kombolcha. Minister Melaku said the terrorist group has cut off job opportunities of more than 11,000 workers.
According to Melaku, 16 factories were severely damaged so that they need reconstruction from zero level, while remaining 24 factories were slightly damaged and can be operational after some rehabilitation. Metals and engineering, chemical and construction, textile and apparel, agro-processing (food and drinks) and leather products were among the affected sectors, he said.
Noting the works that are being undertaken by the Ministry, the investors, the regional administration and security forces in order to reopen the 32 factories via solving their problems soon, the Minister underscored that there are some factories that have already started operation.
The Minister further elucidated that the damage was done in an organized manner that includes experts of different disciplines such as doctors, factory technicians and laborers in addition to the armed terrorists, in order to safely remove machineries and other equipments that were looted.
As to him, the action taken by the terrorist group can directly indicate the depth of the hatred that the group has to Ethiopia. He also pointed out that they were trying to save themselves from being held accountable through forcing the city’s innocent residents to loot factories and shops under video record.
He also noted that it would take a long time for the severely damaged factories to be engaged in production activities again, adding that discussions were underway with stakeholders to restore the slightly damaged industries. As to him, his office is working hard to restore factories destroyed by the Terrorist group.
Gosh Meda Pipes and Plastic Product Enterprise, Dessie Spring Water Factory and E-Food Manufacturing Private Limited Companies are among the severely damaged by the rebel group.
Approached by The Ethiopian Herald, Mesfin Aragie, Product Marketing Manager of Gosh Meda Pipes and Plastic Product Enterprise said the terrorist TPLF has caused a loss of more than 125 million Birr against their enterprise. As to him, all of the mechanical and electrical parts as well as the spare parts of the enterprise were totally looted and damaged by the terrorist group.
Explaining that the rebel group has fully looted and damaged the enterprise, he added that more than 75 employees are obligated to lose their job. The enterprise was capable to fund about 45 million Birr profit to the government, he added. He also pointed out that the enterprise has started its operation a couple of years ago.
As many of the machineries and other factory’s materials were imported, it will take long time to restore the factory at the level it becomes functional again, he added. The Marketing Manager also requested the government to solve problems related with foreign currency.
City administration of Kombolcha, the renowned industry hub, for its part, announced that it has been working jointly with investors and relevant government bodies to restore the factories that were severely damaged and looted.
The City Administration’s Deputy Mayor, Ahmed Yesuf told The Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA) that among the 200 investments in the city, more than 35 factories that have already started their investments had been severely damaged and looted by the TPLF group, adding that efforts were underway to reopen the damaged factories.
A team of journalists who visited Kombolcha town has also collected ample of evidences showing that the terrorist TPLF group plundered large amount of products and inputs and destroyed machineries in the factories located in the industrial hub.
“We will return to our development and the terrorist TPLF will also return to its grave soon,” he assured. He further added that the city administration has discussed with the federal and state government officials in a way to bring solutions to reopen the factories soon.
Abayneh Abebe, Industry and Investment Office Head of Kombolcha city for his part stated that currently, people who were working in the factories that have been destroyed by the criminal group have been exposed to desperate social and economic conditions.
He also added that the city administration is now conducting survey and investigation to find out the extent of the damage and total destruction on the factories in kind and finance as part of preparation for the restoration work.
According to Seid Ali, Owner and Founder of HIFAM/SEIDALI PP BAG FACTORY, the terrorist group, which has no little compassion for human beings, has made more than 60 million Birr loss to the company by stealing products from the factory and destroying various machinery and spare parts. He added that there were more than 350 employees in the factory.
However, underlining that the U.S government and other European countries were involved in a plot to dismantle the Ethiopia, he explained that each and every Ethiopian should work in unison with the government to speed up the reconstruction of the destruction and the development of Ethiopia.
Minister of Industry, Melaku Alebel further called up on the investors, the scholars and relevant government service providers to work hand in glove to put solutions for the damaged industrial facilities.
Both the officials and the investors have revealed their firm stance to stand with the government and the people of Ethiopia in the course of securing lively hoods of the citizens and restoring the country’s export earnings from the factories, it was learned.
The Ethiopian Herald December 19/2021
