Day: September 18, 2023

Ndian: Gunmen kill four PAMOL workers

At least 4 persons have died after unidentified men attacked the Agro-industrial industry, PAMOL plantation PLC on Sunday, September 17, 2023.

Gunmen are reported to have attacked the company’s estate in Lobe, Ekondo-titi Subdivision, Ndian Division of the South West Region.

Earlier last week, a circulated on social media where Ambazonia fighter, self-acclaimed General Focus, dished out warnings to PAMOL workers living in the estate. He ordered the workers to vacate the camp as he intended to use it as his base.

“The two women were shot because their husbands who are the workers were not at home,” a source told CNA, adding that, “they shot them because they did not respect lockdown”

In a release on Monday, September 18, 2023, the management of PAMOL said the victims were, Foin Ernest, a heavy-duty mechanic, and his son Foin Marcel, Tiah Rita and Sakwe Olga wives of a Lobe Mill worker and a retired Research employee respectively.

PAMOL management said the reason for the attack and killings remains unknown to them. They equally called on its entire workforce to remain resolute and steadfast during their difficult times while hoping that the forces of law and order take necessary measures to improve security within the Lobe Estate and its environs.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Littoral: Governor orders demolition of risk houses after a building collapse in Nyalla Priso

Several poorly constructed houses in Nyalla Priso in the Douala 3 municipality have been identified and marked for demolition in the coming days by the Douala City Council. An order was passed on to them by the chief executive offer of the Littoral region, Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboua.

The governor accompanied by aides, frowned at the haphazard construction of houses in Nyalla Priso with little or no respect for construction norms.

The governor and his entourage were pulled there by the collapse of a building, housing many tenants.

This happened barely a month after the Mobile Guinness incident in the Douala 5 subdivision that killed 42 people and injured 29 others.

However, the incident at Nyalla Priso left no deaths or injuries.

“We noticed some cracks in the building and on Friday I brought some builders who asked me to demolish the wall supporting the rooms outside. Early Saturday, the building with the rooms collapsed. But I had already asked the tenants to evacuate”. The landlord said.

An inhabitant condemned the way the house was constructed saying “You cannot construct a house on ground that was dumped. It will collapse like what we just witnessed.”

After inspection, the governor and the city council mayor gave a period of 48 hours and 72 hours for others to evacuate for demolition.

Some observers and civil engineers have often blamed local administrative authorities for the frequent collapse of buildings, particularly in Douala advancing weak actions taken. They think the marked buildings will never be demolished once given some token.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Where I come from, we don’t get married to Bamileke – Martin Hongla

These words were written by an Indomitable Lions player, Martin Hongla.

He was answering a question on snapchat when a user asked him if he got married to a Bangante, ( from the West region) he replied , “Where I come from, we don’t get married to a Bamileke.”

Camerooninans now say he should be excluded from the natio team for saying such xenophobic words.

“He could have just said that his wife is Bassa, ( from the Littoral region) rather than going extreme to denigrate Bamileke as of there are mo women there,” a Facebook user said.

Before deleting the update on snapchat, Martin had argued with the user that he made no harm in what he said.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Akwa: Flames gut Warehouses at Douche municipale

Firefighters rushed back to Douche Municipale D’Akwa in Douala early Monday, September 18, 2023, to put out flames they did not completely extinguish Sunday evening.

At about 6:15 p.m. on Sunday, September 17, 2023, wild flames engulfed Quifferou, building housing construction materials, and also ravaged nearby warehouses owned by Chinese nationals.

The destruction was enormous with losses evaluated in hundreds of millions FCFA.

The Ngodi firefighters were assisted by the firefighting unit from the Douala International Airport, amounting to about 100 firefighters were on the ground battling to contain the flames.

It took hours for the flames to be put out, from extending to a nearby hotel and travel agency.

The content of all the warehouses was reduced to ashes.

During the operation, two trucks of anti-riot police were deployed to secure the area clustered by the population and victims.

The governor of the Littoral region, Samuel Dieudonne Ivaha Diboua was on the scene alongside some administrative and security officials to take stock of the situation.

An investigation has been opened to determine the cause of the fire.

Douche Municipale D’Akwa is an economic hub with diverse businesses run mostly by Chinese businessmen.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Project to Prevent Communicable Diseases before They Occur Launched in Ethiopia

A project aimed at preventing communicable diseases before they occur in Ethiopia has been launched today.

The project dubbed ‘Epi Gen Ethiopia’ will be implemented in Ethiopia over the coming five years with a cost of 4 million euros obtained from the European Union (EU).

Ethiopian Public Health Institute Deputy General Director, Getachew Tolera said the project is expected to help strengthen research capabilities of the country in addition to preventing communicable diseases.

The establishment of international standard laboratories and training of more than 15 professionals with PHD are parts of the project, he added.

Noting that the country used to send samples abroad to test new cases of diseases, the deputy director said the project is also very important for it will enable Ethiopia to conduct such laboratory tests inside the country.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Malaria Remains Leading Cause of Child Death in Africa: Health Minister

Malaria epidemic remains the leading cause of death in Africa particularly children, Ethiopia’s Health Minister, Lia Taddese remarked.

The 9th Pan-African Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA) Annual Conference and Exhibition opened today in Addis Ababa.

More than 1,000 participants have been attending 5-day global conference to discuss on ways to combat malaria in Africa.

In her virtual message she delivered to the conference, Health Minister Lia said the spread of malaria and related diseases in Africa are major public health predicaments noting that Malaria epidemic has been the leading cause of death in the continent particularly children.

According to her, Ethiopia has been registering encouraging achievements in the prevention and control of the disease due to the efforts carried out by the government in collaboration with various stakeholder over the past two decades.

Ethiopia has been implementing national malaria strategic plan, which was commenced in 2021 with the objective to eliminate malaria from the country.

Though significant progress has been gained in terms of controlling malaria and associated diseases in Africa, conflict, displacement, floods and droughts have caused the relapse of the disease all over again, she added.

Hence, she stressed the need to maximize efforts to control the spread of the disease by properly utilizing the available technologies.

Pan-African Mosquito Control Association Chairman Professor Dilnesaw Yehualaw for his part said the strategy designed to control malaria by eliminating mosquito from the continent of Africa was successful.

However, he added that currently the spread of the disease has been increasing due to the occurrence of new type of mosquitoes and other diseases like Dengue.

In Ethiopia, the number of individuals contracting and succumbing to malaria has undergone a major decline of 90 percent over the past decade.

Nonetheless, the spread of malaria has been on the upswing in the past two years mainly due to natural and man-made problems like climate change and security issues.

However, the government, in collaboration with partners, is working on the prevention and control of malaria in Ethiopia, it was learned.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Inscription of Gedeo Cultural Landscape Is Global Diplomatic Recognition for Ethiopia’s Commitment: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The inscription of the Gedeo cultural landscape is a global diplomatic recognition for Ethiopia’s commitment to preserving natural and cultural heritages, according to ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Recall that the UNESCO has this weekend inscribed the Gedeo Cultural Landscape in the World Heritage List. This is the 100th inscription in Africa and the 10th in Ethiopia.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the inscription of the Gedeo cultural landscape is a global diplomatic recognition for Ethiopia’s commitment to preserving natural and cultural heritages.

The inscription also holds immense significance for its people, acknowledging their generations-long dedication to preserving their unique culture, the ministry pointed out.

It further said Ethiopia is deeply committed to safeguarding its cultural and natural diversity, as well as respecting the environment. Gedeo's equilibrium between humanity and nature serves as a valuable lesson for the world.

In accordance with the Rules and Procedures of the Convention, the Ethiopian government reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to preserve this exceptional heritage, which will greatly benefit present and future generations in Ethiopia.

With its breathtaking landscapes, including majestic mountains, lush valleys with dense forests, and fertile agricultural land, Gedeo has been instrumental in the development of sustainable agricultural practices and unique land management systems, it was indicated.

These efforts have contributed to the preservation of an exceptional ecosystem and remarkable biodiversity.

Gedeo's sacred forests are home to numerous endemic and indigenous Ethiopian flora, as well as more than 2,000 ancient megaliths marking graves dating back to the first millennium of the Common Era.

What makes this site truly exceptional is the harmonious relationship between society and nature that flourishes here, according to the Ministry.

The people of Gedeo not only respect but also protect nature as a fundamental part of their lives. In contrast to the typical scenario where population growth leads to environmental degradation, in Gedeo, it leads to afforestation - "More People, More Trees."

Gedeo's agroforestry system is self-sustaining and guided by culturally ingrained knowledge and practices. Beneath the forest canopies, a unique vertical cultivation system thrives, protected by the traditional institutions of the Gedeo people, Songo and Mangano, who are the guardians of the forest.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Ethiopia, Jamaica Keen to Expedite Ties

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen, held discussion with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica, Kamina J Smith in Havana, Cuba on the margins of Group 77+China Summit.

According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two officials have agreed to take the longstanding ties take to the next level.

Minister Kamina also said there is room for more engagements with Ethiopia.

It is to be recalled that the Group 77+ China Summit held in Havana with the objective to ensuring technology works for all humanity and accelerating Sustainable Development was concluded on Saturday.

Speaking at the Group 77+ China Summit, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen bhas called for genuine reform of global institutions to accommodate the interest of the South.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency