Lack of electricity forces 15 factories to go dark in Farah

FARAH CITY (Pajhwok): The Commerce and Industry Department of western Farah province says 15 factories have stopped operating in the province due to lack of electricity, with many people losing jobs.

Afshin Hakimi, an official of the commerce and industry department, told Pajhwok Afghan News that 32 factories had been active in the province, but 15 of them were closed due to electricity shortage.

He said more than 300 people were working in these active factories.

He added: "The only problem of these inactive factories is the lack of electricity. If electricity is supplied to Farah, these factories have no other problem. They will restart working soon and hundreds of people will return to work."

He said more than 400 acres of hand had been allocated for the industrial park in the province, which would be handed over to factory owners after some time.

According to Hakimi's information, talks are ongoing between provincial and Kabul officials to resolve the electricity problem in Farah.

On the other hand, factory owners consider the lack of electricity a serious challenge for them.

Qiamuddin, manager of a chemical fertilizer production factory, told Pajhwok that due to lack of electricity, they were unable to have enough production.

He also confirmed some factories had stopped functioning due to lack of electricity.

Also, manager of a furniture and packaging factory in Farah, Zalmay Noorzi, told Pajhwok: "We don't have electricity, so our production is very low. If we use the generator, our costs will increase and we will not be able to meet them."

He added that currently 15 people were working with him, but if the electricity problem was solved, the number of workers would be increased several times.

Due to lack of electricity in Farah, some investors of this province have moved their capital to Herat province.

sa/ma