President Kais Saied of Tunisia emphasized the importance of restoring phosphate production and solving the phosphogypsum issue in Gabes during a recent meeting with industry officials. He advocates for enhanced output, worker rights, and using treated wastewater for phosphate processing. Additionally, efforts are underway to resolve challenges at the Mezzouna plant and to hold responsible parties accountable for job losses.
In a recent meeting at Carthage Palace, Tunisian President Kais Saied emphasized the urgent need to reinvigorate phosphate production and to address the phosphogypsum challenge in Gabes. This statement followed discussions with the Minister of Industry, Energy, and Mines, Fatma Thabet Chiboub. The President highlighted the need for the sector to exceed its previous output levels, while ensuring workers’ rights and acknowledging the difficult conditions within the mining sector.
Moreover, President Saied called attention to the necessity of reconstructing public facilities that have deteriorated over time. He proposed the development of an innovative strategy that would utilize treated wastewater for washing phosphate instead of drinking water, alongside a definitive resolution for managing phosphogypsum in Gabes. He asserted that this byproduct could be utilized in an environmentally friendly manner, referencing studies conducted over a decade ago that confirmed the feasibility of this approach.
The President also urged officials to expedite the identification of a sustainable solution for the Mezzouna plant in Sidi Bouzid, which is under the Gafsa Chemical Group. Furthermore, he called for accountability for those responsible for its closure, which has led to significant job losses.
President Kais Saied’s commitment to revitalizing Tunisia’s phosphate sector includes restoring production levels while protecting workers’ rights. His administration aims to modernize practices by implementing sustainable methods and finding long-term resolutions for environmental concerns like phosphogypsum. The call for accountability reflects a broader effort to ensure responsible management of industrial facilities and their impact on employment.
Original Source: www.zawya.com
