Day: April 19, 2023

Minister of Mines and Energy Tom Alweendo, on behalf of the Government of Namibia, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the State of Qatar, represented by QatarEnergy last week in Doha.

This follows extensive discussions on the areas of collaboration in Namibia and a reciprocating to last year’s visit to Namibia by Saad Sherida al-Kaabi, Minister of Energy in Qatar and the president and chief executive officer of QatarEnergy.

A media statement issued by the Ministry of Mines and Energy on Wednesday said the MoU signed on 16 April is aimed to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two nations through the existing relationship between the Namibian Government and the national oil company of Qatar.

The relationship stems from their participation in the exploration of oil and gas resources and their resultant discoveries of light crude oil in the Namibia Orange Basin, it said.

“The two States agreed to work together to strengthen the Namibian labour force and ensure that Namibians, especially young people, are equipped to work in the nation’s expanding oil and gas sector,” the statement read.

Additionally, the two States concurred to work together through the exchange of technical know-how, industrial information, and expertise to advance the development of Namibia’s petroleum industry.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The National Petroleum Authority has called on the Management team of musician Peter Bozah alias Fameye to cooperate by providing the name and location of the fuel station he allegedly bought fuel mixed with water.

“The news that music artiste, Peter Bozah alias Fameye, has received GHS 25,000 compensation from an unnamed Oil Marketing Company (OMC) for allegedly selling him fuel contaminated with water came to the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) as a surprise”.

A statement copied to the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday in Accra said the NPA, had Quality Assurance, in charge of investigating the purity and integrity of petroleum products in Ghana.

“This directorate has a laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment purposely for the testing of specific and vital quality parametres. Additionally, there is also the Consumer Services Department within the Corporate Affairs Directorate which interfaces with consumers on such issues as product adulteration, consumer complaints, consumer compensations, to name but a few”.

The statement said through effective communication and cooperation between NPA and consumers, some OMCs had paid compensation, either in cash or in kind, to affected complainants.

“The failure rate of fuel adulteration has dropped significantly from 6.20 percent in 2016 to 1.37 percent in 2022, all through the commendable work of the respective directorates of the Authority.

“In the case of Fameye and his Management Team, they have refused to cooperate with the NPA in terms of providing the name and location of the retail outlet following his tweet on the suspected purchase of fuel contaminated with water.

The statement said in an earlier interaction with the Authority, Fameye’s Management Team said it would handle the matter by itself.

“ Despite that position, the NPA still affirmed its readiness to proceed with the investigation if Fameye’s Management Team decided to cooperate with the Authority by providing it with all the necessary contact details”.

It said the procedure for handling complaints was that upon receipt of the customer complaint, the NPA shall conduct rigorous investigations where samples may be obtained from the retail outlet and the customer’s vehicle.

“NPA prefers to collect fuel samples from the vehicle of the customer, within 48 hours after purchase. This is to avoid the incidence of co-mingling whereby a new product could be mixed with the old product that the customer could have purchased. The sample will be taken to the laboratory for quality analysis. The Quality Assurance and Corporate Affairs Directorates will keep the OMC and complainant engaged throughout the process and inform them of the outcome.”

It said the NPA Act 691 mandated the NPA to, among other things, protect the interest of consumers and ensure that they get value for money.

“Assuming that Fameye’s claim of purchasing fuel contaminated with water is valid, how can NPA protect the interest of other consumers who might have purchased or still purchasing fuel from the unnamed retail outlet. It is for this reason that on Tuesday 18th April 2023, that the Consumer Services Department once again reached out to Fameye’s Management Team for information on the

name and location of the retail outlet to proceed with investigation after the NPA’s attention was drawn to the news of the alleged settlement.

We wish to state categorically that the refusal of Fameye and his Management Team to disclose the name and location of the retail outlet and OMC in question is a concern to the regulator of the industry”.

It said their door were still open to thoroughly investigate the case and conduct the needed investigation, provided that Fameye and his Management team cooperated with them.

Source: Ghana News Agency

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Wednesday commissioned 312 accommodation units for the Ghana Police Service at Kwabenya near Accra.

The ultra-modern facility is the first phase of 514-unit housing project at the Kwabenya barracks.

The housing project is to pave the way for the redevelopment of the 80 acres of land around the Kotoka International Airport into a modern commercial hub, under the government’s ambitious urban renewal programme, aimed at redeveloping prime areas in major cities across the country.

The new facility which is for the relocation of the Airport Police barracks is a land swap agreement between the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry, Lands Commission, Ministry of the Interior, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, and Unique Development Company, a private developer.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Akufo-Addo said the facility was “a further testimony of our unwavering commitment to provide decent accommodation and other facilities for our security personnel.”

He said the government would continue to prioritize the provision of decent accommodation and other facilities for security personnel to improve their welfare and enhance their capacity to serve the nation effectively.

“Not only will this facility improve the welfare of our police officers, but it will also enhance their capacity to serve our nation more effectively,” he said.

The President noted that the Government had made tremendous strides since 2017 in addressing the country’s housing deficit, which currently stands at two million units.

He indicated that despite those gains, rapid urbanisation continued to put immense pressure on land resources, which has led to the degradation of some prime lands, particularly in urban areas.

President Akufo-Addo said that building a modern and prosperous Ghana, required continuous investment in infrastructural development, the provision of essential services, and the improvement of the living conditions of the people, even during the current global economic crisis.

“It is, therefore, of utmost importance that we prioritize the optimal use of our land resources.”

President Akufo-Addo emphasized that the World Bank’s estimation that Ghana’s urban population would reach 72 per cent by 2035, presented a unique challenge, as well as an opportunity, to develop innovative solutions to the growing demand for housing, infrastructure and public services in major cities in the country.

That was why the Government, through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Lands Commission, embarked on an ambitious urban renewal programme, aimed at redeveloping prime areas in major cities across the country, including the Kumasi Sector 18, Marine Drive Tourism Development Project, Takoradi Beach Road Redevelopment Scheme, among others.

The President urged the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Lands Commission and the Unique Development Company, to work in earnest towards the completion of the remaining 192 housing units, and other facilities that make up the second phase of the project.

He commended those who worked on the project, saying, “This, obviously, is a great step towards the redevelopment of the Jubilee City enclave, to give a facelift to our capital city.”

“Let me assure you of my unwavering commitment to the realisation of this Project towards the Ghana we aspire for. I am confident that, with God’s guidance and your support, we will achieve our vision of a prosperous and inclusive Ghana,” he said.

The Inspector-General of Police, Dr George Akufo Dampare who received the housing units thanked the President for the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of the Service.

He assured the President that the facility would be “maintained and well-preserved for generations to come.”

The Kwabenya barracks project is fitted with modern facilities and will provide comfortable homes, and a conducive working environment for police officers and their families.

In addition to the residential accommodations, the Project also provides a school with modern facilities, a clinic, an astroturf football field, a tennis court, a standby generator, a police station, a fuel-filling station, a workshop enclave, and other essential amenities.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ministry of Finance and Embassy of France are holding the 3rd French-Ethiopian General Committee of the Joint Declaration of Intent on the Promotion of Economic Development in Ethiopia, a press release the embassy sent to ENA said.

This year, the 3rd French-Ethiopian General Committee will include a closed discussion between Ethiopian government officials and select French companies to discuss key investment challenges and solutions, according to French Embassy in Ethiopia

The statement added they will also discuss on how can French companies support Ethiopian economic transformation, focusing on the renewable energies sector and presentation of the Ethio-French Business Club’s (CAFÉ) latest Business Climate Report based on a study conducted from September to December 2022 among more than 50 French companies.

This will be followed by an open discussion on the way to address identified issues and improve the collaboration between the public and private sectors. Various key institutions from both countries will be represented on this committee, it said.

Higher government officials of Ethiopia including State Minister of Finance, Eyob Tekalign among others and Ambassador of France to Ethiopia, Rémi Maréchaux attended the meeting.

The French-Ethiopian General Committee was established following French President Macron’s State visit to Ethiopia in March 2019, the statement said, adding that both governments agreed to hold a bi-annual general committee to promote Ethiopia’s economic development and bilateral economic ties.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Planning and Development Minister, Fitsum Assefa and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Catherine Sozi have discussed the sustainable development conference which will be held in the US in September 2023.

During the discussion, Fitsum explained that development works which brought about results have been carried out despite the various challenges both at home and abroad.

According to her, Ethiopia has effective experiences that should be raised at the conference and adequate preparations are being made for this.

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Catherine Sozi appreciated Ethiopia’s commitment and the practical measures it has been taking to implement the Sustainable Development Goals.

The country is also carrying out many activities in rehabilitation and humanitarian assistance, she noted, calling on all development partners to extend support for the rehabilitation and humanitarian assistance efforts of the Government of Ethiopia.

Sozi pointed out that Ethiopia is expected to present an organized and instructive report at the Sustainable Development Goals Conference.

The country is expected to present the actions that have been taking in fighting poverty, accelerating economic growth and increasing per capita income, narrowing the income gap of citizens ,and other economic and social fields.

Ethiopia has submitted the 2017 Sustainable Development Goals Survey Report on a voluntary basis.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency