ByBashir Ahmad Naadim On Feb 13, 2017 - 17:39
KANDAHAR (Pajhwok): Industrialists and investors on Sunday closed as many as 200 factories in the capital of southern Kandahar province to protest against prolonged power outages.The protesters, who had gathered in front of the press club in Kandahar City, warned to continue their protest until uninterrupted power supply was ensured to their factories.
They announced closing 200 factories because the industrial park was supplied only three megawatts of electricity which was not enough and unscheduled. They said the three megawatts power too remained suspended over the past 10 days.
Kandahar chamber of commerce and industries head Haji Nasrullah Zaheer said the provincial and the central governments had been time and again requested to resolve the electricity issue, but in vain, forcing owners to close their factories.
He said the industrial park was provided electricity for just 10 hours in 24 hours and too irregularly due lack of oil and other resources used for generating power.
He said a 10 megawatts solar power system for the industrial park was being discussed over the past two years, but no practical work on the project could be initiated.
Haji Zaheer also talked about a visit of industrialists to Kabul last week. He said the finance minister, the chief executive officer (CEO) and other high officials promised to resolve problems being faced by traders in Kandahar, but the promises were yet to be implemented.
Kandahar Traders Union head Haji Baridad Sadiq said a large number of factories were shut down in quick succession in Kandahar due to the lack of electricity. He said industrial production had reduced by a half and factory owners incurred huge financial losses.
The trader representative warned of launching a protest movement and keeping their factories closed until the electricity problem was addressed.