Day: June 26, 2023

Bagam Chieftaincy Crisis : Government blows final whistle

“We should not compromise things! This person who auto-proclaims himself as Fon of Bagam will have to answer before the law. Another crisis epicenter should not resurface in the Bamboutos Division, and precisely in Bagam just because an individual who is thirsty for Power “

This is one of the first and most powerful outings of the Senior Divisional Officer for Bamboutos David Dalor Dibango concerning the Bagam Chieftaincy Crisis since he was installed.

He made the declaration on Friday, June 23 as he presided over the council session of Galim, in the Bamboutos Division.

A film of the 3-year-old Saga.

In August 2020, as the people of Bagam were mourning the disappearance of their 14th King, HRM Fon Simo Tenkeu Nzossie Jean Marie, who passed away on May 23, 2020, the choice of his successor generated a conflict between two factions of Kingmakers.

Fon Tendop Nzossie Dieudonne was chosen by a faction of Kingmakers some months later. This choice was rejected by another faction of Kingmakers who in return decided to choose another person as heir to the throne. In this way, the rival faction began doubting the Will left by the Late Fon. The situation got worse when the chosen Fon was disrespected by some persons in the rival clan, thus needing the intervention of Administrative Authorities.

A third Fon was again chosen by this faction of Kingmakers, to challenge Fon Tendop Nzossie Dieudonne. The situation led to the multiplication of crisis meetings by François Franquelin Etapa, the then Senior Divisional Officer for Bamboutos. A reconciliation and truth commission was then put in place by the Governor of the West Region, Awa Fonka Augustine to shed light on the matter.

The matter was taken to the level of the Ministry of Territorial Administration, who till Friday, June 23, through the SDO for Bamboutos David Dalor Dibango, confirmed Fon Tendop Nzossie Dieudonne as the legitimate ruler of the Bagam people.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

2023 Hajj: NAHCON expresses dissatisfaction over inadequate tents at Muna

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has expressed dissatisfaction over inadequate tents for Nigerian pilgrims at Muna by the Saudi Company vested with the responsibility of securing enough facility in the area.

The Chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, stated this while answering questions from journalists after inspecting the situation at Muna on Monday in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Hassan also said that the commission was was not pleased with the feeding arrangement which, he said, the meals were inadequate and were served late to the pilgrims.

He said NAHCON envisaged that the problem was most likely to occur and earlier suggested that the commission be involved, but the Saudi authorities concerned insisted they had a mega kitchen and about three alternate plans to deliver to the satisfaction of all.

Hassan revealed that the commission had already notified the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah over the Nigerian plight over tents and feeding.

According to him, they were scheduled to meet later to night to review situations on ground and chart a cause on how to solve the problems encountered so far.

Hassan further stated that there has been a standing rule that only satisfactory services provided would be charged and paid for, while refunds were made for those poorly handled.

“However, pilgrims paid not to be refunded, but to have the comfort to worship Allah with ease,” said the chairman.

He said NAHCON would insist and press for a serious, meaningful and satisfactory improvement within the shortest possible time, so that Nigerian pilgrims would conclude their Hajj rituals with ease.

On the condition of the pilgrims generally, the NAHCON boss expressed delight that they were on high spirit despite the unexpected challenges they are contending with in the meantime.

“I have seen people happy only because they are people of faith, we have seen people who are totally not happy on two scores.

“Number one, obviously the tent of the camp is totally unsatisfactory, and I must tell you the camp is unsatisfactory at tent ‘C’ where the majority of the pilgrims are.

“So also is the same situation at the VIP tent. All of these facilities were paid for, but obviously the provision made were far little compared to the number of pilgrims,” Hassan said.

The chairman noted that: “Apart from the number of tents, it is also clear that food has not been adequate and also has not been timely.

“The issue of tent is exclusive to Saudi Arabian authority we have no way to expand or to contract it but we have their understanding that is enough for all.

“I must say that we are very disappointed but in the end quite a number of pilgrims were left to stay outside the camp.”

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Gendarmes kill civilian in Fiango for challenging them

At least one civilian and a separatist fighter were shot in Fiango, a popular neighborhood in Kumba, South West region.

Witnesses said the civilian was shot at close range after challenging Gendarmes who stormed their meeting. “He was part of a veteran club, he got up and said why will they want to arrest someone without a warrant and the Gendarme shot him in the chest,”

The incident led to the death of a separatist who was already under detention at the Fiango brigade. He was shot down, in an attempt to escape.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Ethiopian Airlines Shining Example for Cargo, Logistics Handling Capabilities: African Airlines Association

Ethiopian Airlines Group has invested heavily on infrastructure, people and processes to enhance its special cargo and logistics handling capabilities throughout its network, the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) told the Ethiopian News Agency(ENA).

AFRAA Secretary General, Abderahmane Berthe, appreciated the Ethiopian Airlines for being a shining example in its achievement on the implementation of cargo and logistics.

The Ethiopian Airlines Cargo and Logistics services carries out the transportation of special cargo like medical products, live animals and perishable products in compliance with international and industry standards, he elaborated.

Berthe indicated that the AFRAA is committed to working together with Ethiopian Airlines for the development of Africa's aviation industry.

“We sincerely appreciate and support Ethiopian Airlines' determination to join the continent through their hubs and multiple routes, playing an important role in uniting the continent. For this, we are working together with them and the relevant parties," he said.

He noted the flagship projects of Agenda 2063—the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are the most important elements to allow airlines to fly freely everywhere in the continent.

He believes that the African passport and free movement of people initiative are very supportive for the objectives of African airlines.

He added the initiative will remove border restrictions and foster continental integration by promoting free movement of Africans within the continent.

The secretary general also said that one of the problems of African airlines is traffic restrictions, adding that flying from one African country to another African destination requires obtaining a special permit.

In similar development, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Marie Owens Thomsen mentioned obstacles that are preventing the African aviation industry from growing as expected.

“Infrastructure constraints, high costs, lack of connectivity, regulatory impediments, slow adoption of global standards and skills shortages … are all contributory factors to African airlines’ viability and sustainability, ”she elaborated.

She also said that Ethiopian Airlines Group is developing rapidly by overcoming the challenges that the aviation industry is facing and it is an example of success that is connecting Africa and the rest of the world.

She urged African airlines to use their potentials and work together and develop the aviation sector in Africa.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Strong Coordination Among Partners Crucial To Ensure Water, Energy Provisions

Strong coordination is required with multi stakeholders to ensure access to water and energy services to a large number of the population, according to Ministry of Water and Energy.

Speaking at the 11th water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and water resource management and energy multi stakeholder forum, Minister of Water and Energy, Habtamu Itafa said the demands for water in Ethiopia is high including for electricity.

He added that population growth and climate change remain critical challenge, to which the government of Ethiopia has been embarking on green legacy initiative which contributes to development of water resource.

Habtamu added that this can be managed through the involvement of development partners as they are playing a crucial role in supplying of water and energy.

He urged partners who invested in the area to further strengthen coordination to solve the deficit of water, sanitation and energy in Ethiopia.

For clean household, clean environment, reliable water and affordable energy, we have to work together, he said.

The government of Ethiopia has been working to ensure access to water and sanitation, which also is incorporated in the Ten Year Development Plan.

Minister of Health, Dr. Lia Tadesse on her part said that poverty cannot be eradicated without universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene.

Despite a long way to go, Ethiopia has made substantial progress over the past decades in increasing access to these basic services in both rural, semi urban and urban populations.

The WASH national program has provided water and sanitation facilities in public areas including schools, health and industrial institutions, she said, adding that the area still requires a lot of investments to work together.

She noted that access to energy and renewable energy and sustainable energy is also key issue particularly for the health sector.

The health minister added that this forum would help strengthen cooperation with partners and to implement joint project and monitoring mechanism.

The United States Agency for International Development Ethiopia (USAID) Acting Mission Director, Timothy Stein said reaching everyone everywhere with clean water, put sanitation services, hygiene and education requiring strong coordination and partnership.

He added that USAID and all development partners should continue to strengthen water and energy provisions, demonstrating strong partnership among government organizations.

In energy sector, Ethiopia has made great strides in accelerating access to electricity; to which we should continue to work with the government of Ethiopia to address key finance gaps and increase access to sustainable water and sanitation services both in urban and rural areas, the acting director said.

According to the acting director, USAID has allocated 65 million USD investment in the next five years, where over 500 thousand people will have access to basic water services and 350 thousands people to gain access to sanitation services.

It was noted that the forum created an opportunity in the water and energy sector to review policy, achievement and share experience.

The theme of this multi stakeholder forum is "accelerated implementation and improved impacts towards SDGs."

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Ministry, CAU, Wolaita Sodo University Sign MoU to Establish Joint Research and Extension Center

The Ministry of Water and Energy, China Agricultural University and Wolaita Sodo University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on establishment of a Joint Research and Extension Center.

The center intends to support the transition to sustainable energy uses in the agriculture sector for increased income and productivity.

State Minister of Water and Energy, Sultan Wali said the center will contribute a lot in experience sharing on the development of renewable energy resources.

Noting Ethiopia has immense potential of renewable resources including geothermal, wind, solar and hydropower, he said, however, power generation capacity from these resources so far remain low.

He recalled Ethiopia and China have been cooperating in the energy sector though South-South Cooperation.

Minister Counsellor for Economic and Commercial Affairs at China Embassy, Yang Yihang said the establishment of the joint research and extension center is highly significant and timely.

The center will become a great platform for both China and Ethiopia to engage and cooperate in the fields of renewable energy, he added.

Moreover, he added that it will contribute to technology transfer and facilitate local communities to adopt renewable energy technology to promote economic growth and improve people's livelihood.

China is playing an important role in terms of development, renewable energy, supported by full supply chains, and robust policy measures, Yang Yihang stated.

He further said China will undertake green development, environmental protection and Climate Action Project for Africa.

“It is hoped that China's experience and practice in this regard could be shared with our friend Ethiopia and other developing countries to have these countries have their full potential in the development of renewable energy,” he added.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency