| BAYJI, Iraq, Jan. 16, 2007 -- Paul A. Brinkley, deputy undersecretary of defense for Business Transformation, and Brig. Gen. Francis Wiercinski, 25th Infantry Division deputy commanding general of Support, along with more than a dozen world industry executives met with Riyad Aldahas, Director General of the State Company of Fertilizers in Northern Iraq, Jan. 10, 2007, at the Bayji Fertilizer Plant to discuss bringing the plant’s production back to full capacity in order to support agricultural needs throughout Salah ad Din Province. ‘On behalf of the people of the United States, it is a great honor to be hosted by you today to discuss the future of the facility,’ said Brinkley. Salah ad Din Governor Hamed Hamood Shekti and Lt. Col. Scott Harris, commander, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, also attended the meeting. Aldahas informed Brinkley and the businessmen that the fertilizer plant, which is controlled by Iraq’s Ministry of Industry and Minerals, is in need of parts to operate correctly and meet production demands. Pumps, control valves and heat exchangers were three of the parts Aldahas emphasized replacing. After the meeting, Aldahas gave a tour of the fertilizer plant to Brinkley and the business executives, showing them what the plant is capable of producing. The fertilizer plant, which mass produces urea-based fertilizer, which is essential for agriculture in the province, opened in 1989 and has been unsteady in production since because of problems within the country’s ministries.
In 2003 the plant reduced its production to only 18% of their yearly goal. The facility was designed to produce 500,000 tons of fertilizer every year.
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