Behold that the terrorist TPLF and its cliques are highly gambling with the people of Tigray and the international community. It is not a fate for the people of Amhara and Afar in particular and Ethiopians in general to be brutally attacked by the rebel group. Undoubtedly, in addition to the government that is labeled as target enemy, TPLF has directly attacked the vulnerable society as well as the local and foreign investors.
Lives of many Ethiopians and foreigners are miserably in jeopardy beyond each factories, health and educational centers that were totally and moderately destroyed and looted by the rebel group in the two regions.
Ministry of Industry has announced last week that the Federal government revealed the terrorist Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has ravaged more than 40 factories in the areas it controlled in the Amhara region.
According to the Ministry of Industry, consolidated efforts have taken place with relevant stakeholders for the restoration of factories and other investment projects that were severely damaged and looted by the terrorist TPLF in the industrial cities of Kombolcha and Dessie.
Discussions conducted with the investors and other stakeholders were among the consolidated measures taken by the Ministry. Following the joint efforts that are being undertaken by the Ministry, the investors, the regional administration and security forces deliberated to reopen the 32 factories with moderate damages, there are some factories that have already started operation.
Every one can imagine how this herald can be a relief for those who were obligated to loss their job following the excruciating attack of the terrorist TPLF clique. Others who are included in the value chain of the factories, roughly calculated to be more than 50 thousand individuals, were also indirectly harmed by the damage. Undoubtedly, the reopening of the factories sparks hope on their lives and of beloved ones on top of energizing the economy of the villagers and the country as well.
Invincibility is a culture of hero Ethiopians which is acquired from the forefathers who defeated the colonizer’s fascist army a century ago. Similar victory is repeated this time when brave Ethiopians punish terrorist TPLF the Trojan horse of the colonizers. This magnificent triumph over the enemies in the battle fields should be replicated in the economic sector. To this end, all Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia are working in unison for the nation’s economic prosperity neglecting frustration, the Minister stated. Owing to this fact, factory managers of the slightly damaged and looted facilities in Kombolcha are highly committed to be back to work following the necessary maintenance.
Having a stay with The Ethiopian Herald, Kombolcha Textile Share Company Deputy Manager, Tadesse Chernet said that reopening of the factory has benefited the lives of 1,500 permanent employees and their respective families. Apart from the machineries and spare parts, the employees association’s food items were also robbed by the terrorist group, Tadesse said.
“We have already back to work after conducting basic maintenance on the slightly damaged machineries by the terrorist group. Though we have started our operation partially; additional work is also required to be fully operational after the damage,” he noted.
During the destruction time of the group in different manufacturing industries found in the Amhara and Afar regions, the employees were expelled from their job and their village too. “Therefore” Tadesse said: “we have made a call for each of our employees to be back to their work in addition to announcing in the notice board”.
As to him, many of their staff members are rejoining their job and getting their salary as well following the call by the administrative teams. Fixing the psychological damage and traumas of the workers was also a difficult task for them. Because, the workers were eye witness of the atrocious deeds of the rebel group in using the factories as a military camps, cemeteries and fortifications as well.
Adding to the point he explained that the company was also a source of foreign currency through exporting products that can generate more than 10 million USD which is more than 400 million birr transaction per year. Subsequently, the reopening of this factory is of paramount importance to recover the economy of the employees and the nation’s as well.
Miftah Arage, General Manager of HIFAM/SEID ALI PP BAG FACTORY for his part said they factory has already started its operation after having important maintenances of the damaged machineries and spare parts.
This manufacturing industry is among the 40 factories that were destroyed and looted in the city of Kombolcha. The factory is engaged in producing different and quality PP bags used to pack sugar, flour, salt, malt, cereals, gypsum, and chemicals. Besides, it has a section of food processing facilities and produce many more products, he explained.
Acknowledging Tadesse’s idea, Miftah stated that his office has made a call for the employees that were displaced to different areas of the country in a way to escape from the grievous attack of the rebel group.
Being thankful for the commitment of the federal and regional governments to work hand in glove with the investors, Miftah requested the government to give lasting solution for the problem related with electric power supply. He underscored that all the employees are delighted because of the reopening of the factory. They are also highly motivated and inspired for further achievements.
Meanwhile, Melaku Alebel, the Minister of Industry, told reporters that the machines that were looted by the TPLF were loaded at night on vehicles bearing the UN flag. Moreover, according to him, during the robbery, residents were forced to loot the stores threatened by gun point to tarnish the image of the local community.
“The robbery was carried out with the help of professionals while the machines were disassembled during the day and was loaded at night,” Melaku said, adding that the machineries looted from factories were transported by vehicles displaying UN-plates.
A survey is also underway to identify those industries that can easily get back to production. As a result, discussions have been held with the City Administrations and investors, and was stated that support and follow-up work is underway for those returning to normal activities.
On the other hand, government agencies; including Revenue Bureau, Electric Utility, Customs, Ethio telecom, hotel services, and Commercial Banks, in war affected areas of Amhara region have already resumed their services since the last couple of weeks.
According to him, the terrorist TPLF has made deliberate attack on industrial fabrics that are possessed by to both local and foreign investors and found at different cities of Amhara and Afar regions. South Korean, Chinese, Indians and Italy manufacturing industries were amongst the others that were destroyed and looted by the terrorist TPLF group.
Despite some factories have already gone operational through taking some maintenance, still there are many tasks that should be strongly taken by both the government and the investors’ side. According to factory managers, electricity shortage is the primary challenging factor for the factories.
In relation to power supply, they insisted the government to solve their basic problem related with the electric power service. Through discussions with federal and city administrations, it was able to reach on consensus to electric power provision in shift. As a result, the factories are supposed to get and use electric power at night time.
Coupled with the electric power demand, the managers also requested the government to strengthen the security.
BY HIZKEL HAILU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 28 DECEMBER 2021
