BAGHLAN/KUNDUZ, Afghanistan, July 31 (Xinhua) — The thick plumes of coal smoke and the thunderous roar of equipment which have operated for over half a century echo throughout Pul-e-Khumri metropolis, because the historic state-owned Ghori Cement Plant in northern Baghlan province continues to rework Afghanistan’s distinctive stones and uncooked minerals into high-quality cement, forging the very foundations of power and nation-building.
Engineer Nazar Mohammad Mamoozi, a weathered veteran who has served because the technical director of the Ghori Cement Plant for over three many years, recollects the day the plant’s first equipment roared to life in 1963. Since then, the power has persistently produced high-quality cement.
“At the moment, we produce 800 tonnes of cement per day, equal to 16,000 luggage, which we provide to the market,” Mamoozi mentioned. “We produce round 7 p.c of the entire cement consumed in Afghanistan.”
Based on him, the manufacturing facility has supplied employment for a whole bunch of expert and unskilled staff. “In whole, 1,000 individuals are working right here and incomes a livelihood for his or her households.”
Amid the ceaseless grinding of stone and the wonderful white mud that coats every part, Hakim Shinwari, a person of robust construct, has spent 27 years on the Ghori Cement Plant, performing his duties with the type of quiet dignity that defines Afghanistan’s working class.
“I work right here from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Our work is nice, our salaries are paid on time, and I’m happy,” Shinwari mentioned. As the only real breadwinner for his household of eight, with youngsters pursuing their schooling, Shinwari is grateful for the employment alternative and hopes extra such factories might be established throughout the nation.
“Factories needs to be inbuilt different provinces too in order that work begins and other people do not have to go away the nation for jobs,” he mentioned.
In a big step towards increasing industrial capability, the Afghan authorities has lately launched the development of the third cement manufacturing facility adjoining to the present Ghori plant. The challenge, valued at about 87 million U.S. {dollars}, is predicted to extend the power’s every day cement manufacturing capability to over 5,000 tonnes upon completion, whereas creating 1000’s of extra jobs.
Afghan authorities additionally launched the development of one other cement plant in jap Parwan province three weeks in the past, valued at round 90 million {dollars}, with the same goal capability of 5,000 tonnes per day and potential to make use of as much as 5,000 individuals immediately.
Some 90 kilometers away in neighboring Kunduz province, the official Spinzar Firm stands as one other enduring image of native business. Established greater than 90 years in the past, the corporate produces 14 totally different merchandise, together with cottonseed, edible oil, cleaning soap, tissue paper, and different hygiene gadgets, transferring the nation nearer to self-sufficiency in important items.
Mohammad Haroon Mohammadi, technical and manufacturing supervisor of Spinzar, mentioned that the core actions of the corporate are cottonseed processing, oil refining, and cleaning soap manufacturing. “Through the working season, the manufacturing facility processes 120 tonnes of cotton, refines 30 tonnes of oil, and produces 100,000 bars of laundry cleaning soap each 24 hours.”
The corporate additionally supplies substantial employment. “Instantly, 1,500 individuals work within the manufacturing course of across the clock, whereas greater than 5,000 others are engaged not directly with the corporate,” Mohammadi informed Xinhua. All uncooked supplies are sourced domestically from Kunduz and the encircling provinces.
Ahmad Hilal Ahmadi, head of the tissue paper manufacturing unit, carries out his duties with professionalism and takes pleasure in his steady revenue. “The wage we obtain is used for our household bills. I’m very pleased. I used to be beforehand unemployed, despite the fact that I’m a talented technician.”
Ahmadi known as on authorities to broaden such initiatives and set up a manufacturing facility of this normal in each province in order that the nation’s youth will be productively engaged and prevented from migrating overseas.
In a war-torn nation grappling with extreme financial challenges, excessive unemployment, worldwide sanctions, widespread poverty, and a big inflow of returnees, these state-backed industrial enterprises characterize uncommon pockets of stability and hope, providing not simply cement and cleaning soap, however dignity, livelihoods, and a measure of self-reliance.
