NEW AFRICA DAILY NEWS (NADN) Freetown, Sierra Leone- The event was done by Sediko DOUKA – Commissioner of Infrastructure, Energy & Digitalization of the ECOWAS Commission on behalf of H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission on November 3rd, 2022, at the Ekok-Mfum Joint Border Post at the Nigeria and Cameroon border.

H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, gave prominence to the uniqueness of the two iconic projects (the JBP and the Border Bridge) as they relate the two Regional Economic Communities (RECs) of ECOWAS and ECCAS and fulfill as a key peace-building facility between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroon, carried out under the ECOWAS Transport Facilitation Program.

In his address, Babatunde Raji Fashola San – Minister of Works and Housing of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, intensified the significance of the Border Bridge and the JBP to the Trans-African Highway from Praia in Cabo Verde through Dakar in Senegal, Lagos relating through Central Africa to end at Mombasa in Kenya. The Minister applauded all the Engineers that worked on the project and the people of the Community for giving a peaceful environment for the projects to be obtained.

H.E. Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, represented by H.E. Amb. Zubairu Dada, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, pointed up the consequence of cooperation between African nations “This project, which is part of the Nigeria/Cameroon Multinational Highway and Transport Facilitation Programme (NCMH&TFP), will continue a noticeable testament to the continuing cooperation and good neighborliness between our two countries, as well as Regional Economic Communities. This bridge, and Joint Border Post, are proofs that when African countries work with African Institutions, outstanding and people-centered cross-regional developmental projects can be achieved in record time” he told.

In his remarks, H.E. Paul Biya, the President of the Republic of Cameroon represented by Emmanuel Nganou Njoumessi, the Minister of Public Works of Cameroon underscored that the successful completion of the bridge and the JBP shows successful cooperation between Nigeria and Cameroon. He added that the border bridge and the JBP will reduce transit time and enhance trade between the two countries. He complimented the ECOWAS and ECCAS Secretariats for successfully organizing the commission of the two integration projects.

The ECOWAS Commission, with financial support from the African Development Bank (AfDB), crafted a Joint Programme aimed at improving road infrastructure and stimulating trade and transport along the Enugu-Bamenda Corridor.

The program comprised of rebuilt and constructed about 455km of roads on both sides, institution of a Joint Border Post (JBP) and bridge over the cross-border river, the natural boundary line between the two countries, bridge. The main goal was to strengthen activity of people and goods by eliminating non-tariff obstacles impeding trade and transit. The JBP was constructed with a Grant of $26.575 million from the AfDB, and counterpart allotment from the ECOWAS Commission, that organized the all around enactment of the programme of the JBP, the Border Bridge and road modifications with near affiliation of ECCAS.

The blastoff of this JBP is anticipated to enable boost trade and bolster partnership between nations of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and those of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in general, and between Cameroon and Nigeria, in particular. The JBP relates to the recently commissioned 400-meter border bridge (and approach roads) on the Cross River, constructed under the same Corridor.

For New Africa Daily News Abdul Rahman Bangura Reports,  Africa Correspondent

NEW AFRICA DAILY NEWS (NADN) Accra Ghana- Rwanda launched the GasMeth Compressed Natural Gas project in Lake Kivu. In attendance was delegates from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). The project, being developed by Gasmeth Energy Limited, has the capacity to rapidly transform the industrial and trade landscape of Rwanda and the broader East African sub-region.

Afreximbank’s involvement in the project dates back to 2020, when the Bank approved a project preparation facility in favour of GasMeth Energy Limited. This facility crucial and its rapid progression to bankability. In addition, Afreximbank has been appointed as the project’s Mandated Lead Arranger and will lead the syndication of the debt finance estimated at more than US$300 million.

Upon its completion, the GasMeth Compressed Natural Gas project will enhance the competitiveness of Rwanda across various sectors, as well as reinforcing the country’s energy security and reducing its exposure to external risks and volatility, while creating thousands of quality jobs.

Moreover, the project constitutes a key element on Rwanda’s promotion of a just energy transition, in which air quality is improved and deforestation – accelerated by use of wood and charcoal as a cooking fuel – is drastically reduced. Fundamentally, this project will assist Rwanda and the wider sub-region to capitalize on the opportunities arising from the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Mr. Kudakwashe Matereke, Afreximbank Regional Chief Operating Officer for East Africa, commented: “We are delighted to have contributed to the ongoing development of this pivotal infrastructure project – which promises benefits not only to Rwanda but to its sovereign neighbours, stimulating as it does the indsutrialisation of the region whilst helping to reduce Rwanda’s carbon emissions. The Bank looks forward to syndicating the debt finance as the company moves into the project implementation stage.”

Responding to the development, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-Africa Trade Bank at Afreximbank commented: “The success of Afreximbank’s involvement in this process demonstrates how the Bank’s Project Preparation Facility can be deployed to support projects in both the public and private sectors in member countries, and cultivate private sector interest in ventures which serve to advance the economic and social infrastructure of the African countries.”

Mr. Stephen Tierney, Group CEO GasMeth, commented: “We would like to thank our financing partners, gas customers, contractors and our Karongi community hosts for attending the groundbreaking ceremony. We are delighted the day turned out a success and has continued to receive such strong support from all areas within the Government of Rwanda. We look forward to working closely with our main partner Afreximbank in the coming weeks to transition this project into construction and bring it to reality. Our belief in delivering this project and the transformational, economic, environmental and social benefits has never been stronger.”

For New Africa Daily News Richard Adorsu Reports,  Africa Correspondent

NEW AFRICA DAILY NEWS (NADN) Accra- Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), certified solar automated hand washing machine, innovated by a young Ghanaian, which will enable people to wash their hands under running water without touching the knob of the water receptacle, in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) era.      

The Director-General of the GSA, Professor Alex Dodoo, presented the certificate to the manufacturer in Accra, and said the product had been tested for its safety, efficiency, purpose and it’s ready for mass production. He said the certification was an attestation by the GSA that the product meet’s Ghana, Africa and international standard.

Director of Testing & Safety at the GSA, Mr. Clifford Frimpong, told reporters that the GSA team spent sometime, in the laboratory testing the product’s safety and acceptable standards and the team arrived at the conclusion that the product did passed all required acceptable standard.

Mr. Frimpong also said the certification by GSA with the help of the Government, will give the manufacturer approval needed globally to market and sell the products. It should open market for the entire continent and the global community.

Meanwhile, the young inventor, a Marketing graduate, Richard Kwarteng, is confident the certification will help him increase production and create great opportunity.

“We are teaming up with the GSA, so that they will help us in getting all our things right and get into large production. As I said, we have already put the factory production line-up, we are going to employ lot of people and get the product to the market as soon as possible. We are starting to receive calls and expect  lot of orders. We can’t fail Ghanaians, Africans and the international market, failure is not an option. We have to do mass production and do it well. That is why we are partnering with the government. He noted.

This innovation comes weeks after President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana spoke, government is putting in place measures to boost the local manufacturing of equipment to help stem the spread of the novel Coronavirus. His commencement also April 8th, 2020, retreated local innovation and mass production of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) as a means of curbing spread of COVID-19 in Ghana and the entire Continent.

For New Africa Daily News Richard Adorsu Reports,  Africa Correspondent

NEW AFRICA DAILY NEWS (NADN) Accra, Ghana- MOROCCO, Industry Ministry  has confirmed mass production of its own ventilators with oxygen masks, with 500 expected to be ready by mid-April to help meet demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The North African kingdom has confirmed 1,431 cases of the novel Corona Virus, including 105 deaths, and is seeking to raise the number of its intensive care beds to 3,000 from 1,640.

The pandemic has led to a global shortage of ventilators and other medical equipment. Morocco has asked aeronautics and electronics suppliers in the country to develop and manufacture both non-invasive ventilators, where an oxygen mask is secured over the patient’s face, and invasive models where a tube feeds oxygen straight to a sedated patient’s lungs. “We use locally supplied material available here and we will continue to produce ventilators depending on Morocco’s needs and the entire Continent,” said Badre Jaafar, Director of SERMP, a Casablanca-based company that supplies parts to French aircraft engine maker Safran. It worked with a group of other companies, coordinated by the Industry Ministry and with help from the Health Ministry and other public bodies.

The government, which has imposed a lock down to slow the spread of the disease, said last month it had allocated $200 million to buy equipment and medicine to prepare for the crisis. Doctors and engineers from public institutions helped design the non-invasive ventilator that is already under production, capable of 3,000 hours of use, and the Health Ministry approved the design. They are now working to develop an invasive ventilator.

Morocco has around 140 aeronautics suppliers that employ more than 10,000 people and last year exported $1.58 billion of parts to companies including Boeing and Airbus. Neither the ministry nor the companies have said how much investment has been required or on what commercial terms the ventilators are being manufactured. The ministry said it had instigated the project but the private sector is now leading it. “I hope this will be a launch pad for the medical industry in the country,” Jaafar said.

For New Africa Daily News Richard Adorsu Reports,  Africa Correspondent

NEW AFRICA DAILY NEWS ( NADN ) Freetown, Sierra Leonne- NIGERIA, African Development Bank (AfDB) has bidden Nigeria a thorough procedure to handle monetary challenges emanating from the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Ebrima Faal, Senior Country Director of the bank, helped what Nigeria should do for an emotional financial rescue, Faal said the measures would comprise short-term and long-term responses to address difficulties that the country would be facing as a result of COVID-19.

He said it had been observed in many countries where this kind of crisis occurred required quick and decisive actions as well as policy coordination to reverse the potential challenges to the economy.

He noted that around the world, countries at more advanced stages of the outbreak were announcing liquidity relief, debt restructuring, forbearance on loan repayments and initiatives in the order of 10 to 15 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The director added that in the short term, a similar stimulus would be needed in Nigeria. “We have seen the CBN introduce policies to mobilize private sector resources and lend support to the government in its efforts to contain the virus.

“It is also supporting private and public healthcare institutions in the country while providing liquidity for the private sector and SMEs to continue to operate.

“We have also seen some responses from the Government including a reprioritization of expenditure to help address the pandemic. “In the long term measure, the country needs to diversify the economy and increase social infrastructure.

“In the longer term, the government’s strategic thrust through the Economic Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP) seeks to push the transformation agenda for Nigeria.

“The ERGP builds on previous initiatives and other industry specific strategies and programmes, including the National Industrial Revolution Policy (NIRP) and National Enterprises Development Policy (NEDP), among others.

“Nigeria already has the necessary strategies in place to drive the transformation and diversification agenda. The key challenge is that the implementation of these policies has often been less optimal and so the impact is limited and varied.

“The COVID-19 outbreak once again reminds us of the need to create a resilient economy, one that is less dependent on oil for revenues and exports. Nigeria faces three-four key challenges that need to be urgently addressed in the post-COVID-19 era,” he stated.

Speaking further, Faal said mobilizing more domestic resources was paramount, adding that non-oil revenues accounted for about four percent of GDP and this means that nearly 90 percent of the economy was virtually untaxed.

According to him, growing non-oil revenues will insulate the economy from the cyclicality of oil revenues and create stability in the government budget.

He stated that there were a number of ways in which the government could generate more revenues from the non-oil sector.

He said the increase in the Value Added Tax (VAT) to 7.5 percent was a good move, stating that without strong enforcement and compliance with existing measures, the revenue yield from the VAT would be minimal.

“We also see opportunities in mobilizing resources from the private sector, especially for infrastructure development.

“The assets under management about N10 trillion by pension funds and other institutional investors could be mobilized to create a pool of investment resources to transform the country.

“This means improving efficiency and ability of the financial sector, including the capital market, to attract such funds, and channel them to productive uses,” he told.

For New Africa Daily News Abdul Rahman Bangura Reports,  Africa Correspondent

www.newafricadailynews.com

NEW AFRICA DAILY NEWS ( NADN ) Freetown, Sierra Leonne- Subject to the unparalleled latch fluff of the flight enterprise, it is not a secret that; it has removed airlines keeping up a forthcoming invoice of $35 billion as compensation to passengers for sold but unused tickets. This appeared as a result of the Novel Coronavirus predicament that insert airline resources, with a contemporary survey by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), forecasting the airlines could be brought so low to as much as $61 billion of their currency substitutes during the next quarter ending June 30th, 2020. They will also post a net loss of $39 billion for the quarter.

“In addition to unavoidable costs, airlines are faced with a refunding sold but unused tickets as a result of massive cancellations resulting from government-imposed restrictions on travel. The second quarter liability for these is a colossal $35 billion. The cash burn will be severe. We estimate airlines could be burning through $61 billion of their cash balances in the second a quarter,” IATA announces.

Brazil, Canada, Columbia, and the Netherlands have tried to help their airlines by allowing them to offer passengers travel vouchers in place of cash refunds.

Kenya Airways has already appealed to the government for a cash bailout in order to stay afloat. Almost all categories of staff have taken a pay cut too.

Uganda Airlines halted plans to open new regional routes after the airspace was closed. Rwanda too has ground its fleet.

IATA’s Principal Economist – Pierce Brian, explained the effect of COVID -19 on quarter one revenues would be limited because, it was not until mid-February that disruptions to air travel became pronounced.

“We started the year strongly and it is not until February that we saw revenues begin to struggle,” he announced during a committee call on March 31st, 2020.

IATA which has lobbed a 38% investment in demand and full-year losses of $252 billion for 2020, also says that the fall in demand will peak during the second quarter which will see a 71% decline.

Nonetheless, the continuation of cargo services will limit the fall in revenues to 68%. Varying costs are predicted to fall by 70%, trailing a 65% decline in the amount of aircraft skimming and pointed drops in the price of jet fuel. Still, fuel teetering agreements that were established on pre-crisis projections will see airline fuel costs fall by just 31%

Synonymous to approximately half of a conventional airline’s cost profile, fixed and semi-fixed costs, are expected to fall by a third as carriers watch the bottom line while trying to preserve the workforce that will be expected for prospective convalescence.

Alexander de Juniac who’s is doubling as IATA’s Director General and Chief Executive asserts without sudden intervention, the industry’s cash position will be shaky.

“Airlines cannot cut costs fast enough to stay ahead of the impact of this crisis. We are looking at a devastating net loss of $39 billion in the second quarter. The impact of that on cash burn will be amplified by a $35 billion liability for potential ticket refunds,” he asserted.

IATA greeted the mix of assistance intervals to the industry that has been announce by the industry such as Colombia, the United States, Singapore, Australia, China, New Zealand and Norway. The US announced a $2 trillion economic stimulus package more than $50 billion of which will go to airlines.

For New Africa Daily News Abdul Rahman Bangura Reports,  Africa Correspondent

www.newafricadailynews.com

NEW AFRICA DAILY NEWS ( NADN ) Freetown, Sierra Leonne- The World Bank Group is rolling out US$14 billion fast-track package to strengthen the COVID-19 reaction in improving nations and lessen the period to healing. The quick response encompasses financing, policy advanced technical assistance to enable countries to survive with the health and economic consequences of the pestilence. The IFC is providing US$8 billion in financing to help classified firms dominated by the pandemic and retain jobs. IBRD and IDA are making an initial US$6 billion accessible for the health-response. As countries need wider assistance, the World Bank Group will deploy up to US$160 billion over fifteen months to safeguard the impoverished and susceptible, support businesses, and strengthen monetary recuperation.

“This rapid response operation draws from the World Bank Group’s US$14 billion packages of fast-track financing to help countries in their efforts to prevent, detect and re- deterred the spread of COVID-19,” explained Ms. Elene Imnadze – Resident Representative for The Gambia. “It provides the financing needed to strengthen coordination with partners and implement the Government’s National COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan.”

The World Bank also ratified  US$10 million bounty from the International Development Association (IDA) for The Gambia, Africa’s smallest Country, to perform emergency mitigation in the countenance of the global COVID-19 plague. The COVID-19 Response and Preparedness Project will intensify patient detection, tracing, and reporting, as well as provide paraphernalia to isolation and medication centers, and boost complaint supervision and diagnostic facility. Nonetheless, It will furthermore concentrate on hazard information and neighborhood attention for boosted perception and abidance with deterrence and public distancing regulations.

For New Africa Daily News Abdul Rahman Bangura Reports,  Africa Correspondent

NEW AFRICA DAILY NEWS, Freetown, Sierra Leone- That $197-billion opportunity for private-sector investors in five high-growth markets in Africa to assist Africa to reach the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with improving digital access making up $74.5 billion of that total.

Sources from “Opportunity2030: The Standard Chartered SDG Investment Map”, which highlights opportunities for investors to contribute to three infrastructure-focused goals between now and 2030: SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy and SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure across emerging markets.

Across all the world’s emerging markets, Oportunity2030 identifies a $10-trillion opportunity for private sector investors. This represents around 40% of the total funding required to meet specific indicators within the three SDGs – allowing for population growth as well as maintaining current access – with public funds expected to provide the bulk of the investment.

Five African countries are included in the study: Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda and Zambia.

Providing universal digital access represents the greatest investment opportunity for the private sector by 2030 ($74.5-billion), followed by universal access to power ($65.8-billion), transport infrastructure ($46.4-billion) and access to clean water and sanitation ($1.3-billion).

The biggest single opportunity across the African markets in the study is in increasing digital access – a combination of mobile phone subscriptions rates and internet connectivity – in Nigeria ($47.4-billion). Driven by its large and growing population, Nigeria also offers the greatest overall opportunity across the SDG indicators measured (a total of $114.2-billion), followed by Kenya ($40-billion).

Zambia and Kenya present a big opportunity to make an impact on SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): With an average of 43% and 56% of the population respectively currently lacking access to clean water and sanitation, there is a $0.7-billion and $2.3-billion private-sector investment opportunity to help close the gap by 2030.

Uganda presents a meaningful opportunity to make an impact on SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): with just 22% of the population that have access to electricity, there is a $6.1-billion private-sector investment opportunity to help achieve universal access by 2030.

The greatest investment opportunity in Ghana is in achieving and maintaining universal access to electricity (a key SDG 7 indicator), representing a $7.8-billion private-sector opportunity.

Sunil Kaushal, regional CEO: Africa and Middle East at Standard Chartered, says: “The UN Sustainable Development Goals are amongst the most ambitious projects humanity has ever attempted. As well as offering our best hope yet of tackling the world’s most serious challenges, they also offer a unique opportunity for the private sector.

“For the goals to be met in Africa, the private sector must play a central role in deploying capital to get projects off the ground. Opportunity2030 provides a map of these opportunities, revealing the sectors and markets where investors can best contribute to the SDGs whilst achieving sustainable returns.

“Currently, not enough capital is reaching the countries that need it the most. With the UN’s 2030 deadline for achieving SDGs just 10 years away, the time to act is now.”

For New Africa Daily News Abdul Rahman Suagibu Reports,  Africa Correspondent

www.newafricadailynews.com

NEW AFRICA DAILY NEWS, Accra- GHANA CASE involving the commercial release of the first batch of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in three crops in Ghana, is scheduled for hearing at the Accra Human Rights Court on Thursday, January 30, 2020.

Food Sovereignty Ghana (FSG) and three others are sued the government of Ghana represented by the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the National Biosafety Authority and the Attorney-General’s Department.

It would be recalled that attempts to throw out this case in which one of the defendants sought to challenge a High Court ruling on the court’s jurisdiction to hear a petition brought before it, was rejected by the Supreme Court in a ruling which upheld the fact that the Human Rights High Court did have proper jurisdiction that it applied in ruling on the case brought before it by the four plaintiffs.

The hearing is expected to be one of case management and ensuring that all due processes have been properly filed for the substantive case to proceed. Among the witnesses representing FSG are two independent internationally recognized experts.

In a released signed by the Communications Directorate of (FSG), Mr. Edwin Kweku Andoh Baffour, said this comes at a time when a false narrative is being created in the minds of the Ghanaian public and the international community to create the impression that the government has abandoned the implementation of its policy to impose GMOs on Ghanaians.

Mr. Adonh said the continuation of the case, in which the representatives of the government continue to defend the commercial release of Bt cowpeas, GM rice, as well as Bt cotton, clearly show that the recent utterances of the Minister of Food and Agriculture is nothing but a lot of hot air, possibly occasioned by the Harmattan season, or a deliberate attempt at deceiving Ghanaians for 2020 election.

He said whatever the motivations may be, it has the effect of fooling the people of Ghana into thinking that all is well, when the reality is far different. Even though these GMO crops look exactly like their non-GMO counterparts, the scientists behind these experiments do not want them labelled.

“Apart from the fact that they fear people may not buy them if they are labelled, they also fear traceability and legal liability for any of the possible untoward consequences for consumers should anything happen to them after consumption of the GMO versions of these foods,” he stated.

Mr. Andoh said the FSG has long submitted its position paper on the labelling of food and feed containing GMO to the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and have maintained the position that Ghana should have a mandatory labelling regime and not a voluntary one as it seems regulators are considering.

“A former Principal Investigator at SARI and a consultant to the Bt cowpea project, was reported to have told the journalists, who also visited the site for the confined Bt cowpea trials at Nyankpala, that the Bt cowpea would not look different from the conventional ‘Songotra’ that farmers know already and are planting currently”.

He said as at the time of going to court in 2015, the Bt cowpea had not been commercialized anywhere in the world. This was the first time that human beings were being expected to consume them. And Ghanaians had been chosen to be guinea pigs for this product without any known epidemiological studies on its effects on human health.

In Ghana, cowpeas are key ingredients in staple foods like waakye, gari and beans, ripe plantain and beans (also known as ‘red red’,) etc.

Therefore, the impact on the health of the population, as a result of the introduction of unlabelled “Bt cowpeas in our food chain, could be devastating if care is not taken.”

BY ANIN AGYEI, NEW AFRICA DAILY NEWS, AFRICA CORRESPONDENT

www.newafricadailynews.com