Category: General

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

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

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

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

Two Zambian nationals were arrested in connection with the alleged smuggling of both prohibited and non-prohibited goods into the Zambezi Region on Saturday night.

The smuggled goods include eggs, bags of charcoal, non-alcoholic beverages, whiskeys and traditionally brewed beer, among others with an estimated value of N.dollars 5000.

Namibian Police Force (NamPol) Station Commander at Katima Mulilo, Inspector Charles Mayumbelo informed the media on Monday that the men aged 59 and 43 years were arrested after a tip-off from members of the public, not far from the riverside where they illegally crossed the river with the smuggled goods.

It is alleged that the men used a seven-seater vehicle to transport the goods and were stopped and searched, by the police, who found the goods inside the vehicle.

According to Mayumbelo, the two men are first-time offenders and will thus be handed over to the Namibia Revenue Agency for further action.

‘The smuggling of goods from neighbouring countries remains a great concern in the Zambezi Region, with numerous cases of smuggling of both prohibited and non-prohibited goods registered with my office lately,’ he said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Minister of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, stated on Saturday that the current waste management situation in Namibia is unsatisfactory, as many villages, towns, and municipalities lack proper landfills and instead resort to using dumpsites for waste disposal.

‘It is estimated that every year we dispose of more than two million tons of waste on the planet,’ he said.

In a statement issued to Nampa by the ministry, Shifeta, during the commemoration of World Clean-up Day, emphasised that poor waste management, which ranges from non-existent collection systems to ineffective disposal methods, contributes to air, water and soil pollution.

‘We are aware of efforts by some local authorities trying to find different ways to dispose of residential and domestic waste. However, this remains a significant challenge. There is room for improvement in all three municipalities, particularly in waste collection from informal areas,’ Shifeta noted.

Furthermore, the minister challenged the nation to explore innovative approaches to generate additional revenue, which would enable the country to enhance its waste management system, ultimately positioning Namibia as a leading African country in waste management.

‘Waste management is a global issue that concerns everyone, and it is essential to acknowledge the contribution of private contractors who provide waste containers and collect recyclables and waste materials,’ Shifeta added.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Newly promoted Debmarine Namibia Premiership outfit Okakarara FC was welcomed to the country’s elite league on Saturday with a 3-1 defeat by Blue Waters at the Swakopmund Sport Stadium.

The 2023/24 Debmarine Namibia Premiership season commenced on Saturday with action in Rundu, Keetmanshop, Okahandja, Swakopmund, Gobabis, and Windhoek.

In a match played in the coastal town of Swakopmund between Blue Waters and Okakarara FC, it took the home team just five minutes to open the scoring. High school errors from the Okakarara FC players saw Blue Waters capitalising on a cross into their box.

Four minutes later, Andjengo Lasarus once again found the back of the net for Blue Waters after a brilliant save by Okakarara’s goalkeeper, Jaepa Mekapurua, found him unmarked outside the 25-metre box, where he released a rocket which could not be prevented from going in by the goalkeeper and his defence.

Blue Waters’s final goal of the match came from Steven Damaseb in the 19th minute as they once again caught the Okakarara defenders napping, and his well-controlled ball also found the back of the net as the Okakarara defence and goalkeeper were left stranded.

Half-time was 3-0 for the home team.

In the second half, the Okarara team found their feet and started playing their passing game which got them a consolation goal in the 87th minute through Utjevera Rukata after their brilliant display in that half.

In an interview with Nampa after the match, Emmel Katjimune, Okakarara FC coach, said he was happy with his team’s display in the second half.

“We had a tough first half playing against the wind and made simple errors. We are going back to rectify our mistakes and hope for a better performance in our next game,” said Katjimune.

Meanwhile, Blue Waters coach Lucky Shipanga said his goal was to collect maximum points, and his players delivered.

“I wanted to score three goals, and we got them. We are now looking forward to our next fixture,” he said.

Other games played on the day saw newly promoted Khomas Nampol collecting maximum points against Young Brazilian in Keetmanshop with a 1-0 score, Young African lost at home 2-0 against FC Ongos, Life Fighters and Julinho Sporting shared the spoils after a goalless draw in Rundu while Okahandja United lost to UNAM 1-0 at home.

Defending Champions African Stars started their campaign on a good note with a 3-1 win against Orlando Pirates in the only match played in Windhoek.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency