Category: Politics

The House of Representatives Joint Committee on Environment, Petroleum Resources Upstream, Petroleum Resources Downstream and Climate Change has queried oil producing companies operating in the Niger Delta over environmental degradation in the region.

Rep. Pondi Gbabojor, the Chairman of the joint Committee, said this in Abuja on Wednesday at the public hearing on Environmental Damage within the oil-producing communities.

He said that the oil-producing communities had experienced environmental degradation and socio-economic marginalisation following decades of oil exploration and exploitation.

‘The abundant natural resources should have been a source of prosperity and development; rather, the host communities have suffered pollution and land degradation.

‘They also suffer from loss of biodiversity, and deterioration of traditional livelihoods that are inestimable and irreparable,’ he said.

He said that in spite of laws and regulations enacted to safeguard the environment and the established regulatory ag
encies, the environmental damages in oil-producing communities had persisted.

He said the committees would identify erring organisations and hold those responsible accountable.

‘Our environment is not just the backdrop of human action but the very essence of life and our sustenance,’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 40 companies were invited to the hearing, but only 35 honored the invitation, including the Ministry of Environment, Dubi Oil Company, Nigerian Agip Oil Limited

Others were Starling Oil Exploration, Mobil Producing Nigeria Ltd. Resources Exploration and Production Ltd, First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company among others.

The oil companies however requested that the committees visited all the affected states that had experienced environmental degradation, especially the Ogoni Land.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Senate has mandated its Committee on Works to interact with the Minister of Works, toward the completion of the Wudil-Gaya-Dutse Dual Carriageway on Kano Maiduguri Expressway.

This followed the adoption of a motion on Urgent Need to Expedite Completion of Wudil-Gaya-Duste Dual Carriageway on Kano Maiduguri Road by Sen. Kawu Suleiman (NNPP – Kano) at Tuesday’s plenary.

Presenting the motion, Suleiman said the expressway was a critical artery for transporting people and agricultural goods in the northern corridor.

He said contract for the construction of the road was awarded by the Federal Government 17 years ago, by the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He said that successive administrations had failed to complete the road.

‘Also notes that in 2018, the former president Muhammadu Buhari-led administration’s commitment to improving road transportation led to the award of so many road contracts to restore many dilapidated roads in the country.

‘Among these projects was the renewed
contract for the dualisation of the Kano – Maiduguri road.

‘Aware that a major transportation upgrade is on the horizon, a brand new two-lane highway will be built, along with improvements to the existing road.

‘To tackle this ambitious project, it has been divided into five manageable sections.

‘The first section focuses on the Kano – Wudil – Shuwarin road, while subsequent sections cover progressively connect Shuarin to Azare, Azare to Potiskum, Potiskum to Maiduguri, and finally, Maiduguri to Benishek,’ Sumaila said.

He said one of the sections was the most extensive, spanning roughly 202.73 kilometres.

He said as an international route linking Nigeria to Chad, Niger, and Cameroon, the Kano – Maiduguri Road facilitated cross-border trade.

‘The Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company Nigeria Lld., was awarded the contract for section one of the road, but despite initial work, the project appears to be behind schedule.

‘Worried that the unfinished section between Wudil and Gaya in Kano State is particu
larly dangerous.

‘One lane of the planned dual carriageway is complete, forcing drivers to navigate a single lane in both directions, this significantly increases the risk of accidents,’ he said.

He expressed worry that the unfinished section from Wudil to Gaya in Kano State posed grave danger to commuters.

He said the only one lane completed on a planned two-lane road, forced vehicles traveling in both directions to navigate a single lane.

‘This is a recipe for disaster, and immediate action is required to finish construction and ensure driver safety,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Addis Ababa: Women are strongly encouraged to actively take part in the forthcoming inclusive national dialogue as they play significant role in consolidating the nation’s effort to ensure sustainable peace.

Ethiopia is about to commence an inclusive national dialogue in which all stakeholders can come together and speak about key national challenges to attain a common and lasting resolution.

The National Dialogue Commission is finalizing its preparations in identifying participants and discussion agendas in a meticulous process aimed at ensuring the inclusivity of the dialogue.

In this regard, the Commission is working to enhance women’s participation in the dialogue taking in to account the importance of their contribution to the process.

Taking this in to consideration, ENA approached three women who are from different occupations.

They said women, who represent half of the total population in Ethiopia, are crucial to the successful conduct of the dialogue. They also commended the ongoing efforts of t
he commission to make the dialogue all inclusive.

An expert of conflict situation monitoring at the Ministry of Peace, Tigest Hailemariam for her part stated that women’s participation in the national dialogue has a significant role for the success of the dialogue because women preach peace as they are the primary victims of conflicts.

Tigest advised all pertinent bodies need to come around the table to discuss on their common interests and bring shared solutions instead of trying to use force.

The national dialogue is the best opportunity for women to express their strong desire for peace, Tigist underlined.

A lecturer at the Addis Ababa University School of Journalism and Communication, Agaredech Jemaneh said women are the embodiment of peace as they possess the ability to foster unity within the family and the community.

Appreciating the efforts being made by the commission to encourage women actively participate in the dialogue, the lecturer said women need to engage themselves in the process.

Women
have the potential to provide their wisdom, Agaredech stated indicating that the upcoming national dialogue is a good opportunity to find concrete solutions for the challenges the country is facing.

Fatuma Hussen, head of women and youth sector at the Ethiopia Islamic Supreme Council said the national dialogue is key instrument to bring peace and sustainable development in the country stressing that women have the obligation to actively participate as they are the primary beneficiaries of sustainable peace.

She urged women to play their significant role in consolidating the nation’s effort to ensure peace by actively engaging in the process.

‘A woman can influence at least 4 men including her husband, brother, father and her son. If every woman can influence all these segment of the society at home not to involve in conflicts, conflict could be curtailed.’

Therefore, if we maintain peace at family level, we can maintain peace at the community level, peace can be ensured at national level at large as well,
she underlined.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: The outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia Zhao Zhiyuan expressed his hope for the continued deepening of the China-Ethiopia all-weather strategic partnership.

A farewell ceremony was held on Sunday night at the Ethiopian Airlines VIP Lounge for the departing Chinese ambassador.

High-level Ethiopian officials, including State Minister of Finance Semereta Sewasew, Oromia Region President Shimelis Abdisa, Ethiopian Federal Police Commissioner General Demelash Gebremichael and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Protocol Director General Melaku Bedada, gathered to bid farewell to the ambassador and discussed the strong ties between the two nations.

In his parting remarks, the ambassador told ENA that he had worked hard to strengthening China-Ethiopia relations during his over three and half years tenure.

”Today, I am leaving for China to complete my mission. My feeling is very complicated. Everybody knows I have worked hard for Ethiopia and China-for bilateral relations-for more than three and half ye
ars.”

Ambassador Zhao emphasized his affection for Ethiopia and its people. ”I love Ethiopia. I love the people of Ethiopia. We all know that Ethiopia has great potential.”

He expressed his hope for the continued deepening of the China-Ethiopia all-weather strategic partnership. “I hope that our all-weather strategic partnership will further deepen.”

The ceremony underscored the enduring partnership between Ethiopia and China, and paves the way for continued collaboration in the years to come.

He thanked the government and friends from every communities for their support to his successful work in Ethiopia.

The contribution of the ambassador in strengthening the relationship between Ethiopia and China is commendable.

China’s support for Ethiopia’s membership to the BRICS family is also another landmark in the longstanding relations between Ethiopia and China that decorates the ambassador’s tenure in Ethiopia.

During the Ambassador’s tenure in Ethiopia, various development projects were completed wit
h the support of the Chinese Government.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) says it plans to partner with the University of Abuja to expand its academic programmes.

Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, the Director-General, NILDS, said this at the orientation programme for the 2024 NILDS/University of Benin (UNIBEN) post graduate students in Abuja on Monday.

‘This will showcase NILDS as indeed the citadel of learning, character moulding and intellectualism,’ he said.

Represented by a consultant of the institute, Dr Kabir Ahmed, Sulaiman said that the orientation was to acquaint the students with the rules and regulations guiding the operation of the institute.

He said that the institute placed great premium on high moral and ethical standards saying that there was no short-cut to success and students must always play by the rules.

Sulaiman said that the institute would soon commence a Masters Degree Programme in Governace in collaboration with some renowned educational institutions.

‘I am pleased to inform you all that a
s part of our efforts in ensuring that we strengthen our post graduate programmes, a master’s degree programme in Governance will soon commence in the Institute.

‘This is a collaborative tripartite agreement between the NILDS, University of Benin (UNIBEN) and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN).

‘Also, the Open Distance Learning (ODL) Programme in professional certificate courses in diverse areas will soon commence.

‘I am equally pleased to inform you all that there is also a collaboration between NILDS and the Federal University Lokoja for doctoral programmes in Election and Party Politics, Parliamentary Administration, Legislative Studies, Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, Leadership and Strategic Studies, and Social Works,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Addis Ababa: Ethiopia has observed the 83rd anniversary of the Patriots’ Victory Day around Arat Kilo in Addis Ababa where the monument to commemorate the victory and the patriots erected.

The day was celebrated in the presence of President Sahle-Work Zewde, patriots, members of the National Defense Forces, representatives of the diplomatic community and government officials.

In 1941 Ethiopian patriots defeated fascist Italian aggressor and maintain the territorial integrity of the country and May 5th marked as the end of Italian aggression.

Patriots Victory Day is a national public holiday that marks the end of the Italian occupation and commemorates those who died during the occupation by honoring veterans of the resistance movement.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency