Metro

Separatist group in Cameroon claims responsibility for explosion that killed 7 officials

Published

3 years ago

March 7, 2022

Cameroon separatists have claimed responsibility for an attack on Wednesday that killed seven people, including a senior official and a mayor.

Six officials, including highest government official in Ekondo Titi, Timothee Aboloa; Mayor of Ekondo Titi, Nanji Kenneth, and
the Ekondo Titi president of Cameroon’s ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement party, Ebeku William,
died on the spot.

Cameroon’s military says the officials were on a tour to raise support against the rebels when a homemade bomb hit their car.

The Cameroonian government said the explosive device hit the officials’ car in Bekora village in the Ekondo Titi district of Cameroon’s English-speaking South-West region.

Cameroon’s military said after the device exploded, separatist fighters hiding in a nearby bush started shooting.

Bernard Okalia Bilai is the governor of the South-West region. Bilai said several government troops sustained injuries, and a military official died while being rushed to a local hospital by the military. Bilai spoke during a press conference broadcast by local media including Cameroon state broadcaster CRTV.

“All the six occupants of the car died. The other forces of law and order [military] who were in the pickup following the [officials’] car was wounded. One young officer, a lieutenant, was wounded, and he too passed away. So, in that attack we have lost seven persons,” he said.

Bilai said the officials were on a meet-the-people tour of Ekondo Titi. He said during the tour, the officials were expected to educate civilians on braving separatists and relaunch economic activities in their towns and villages.

Cameroon’s military on Thursday said troops were deployed to Ekondo Titi shortly after the explosion. The military said the troops will track and arrest or kill the fighters should government troops face any resistance from the rebels.

Metro

ZESCO says Zambians can enjoy improved power supply but offers condition

Published

9 hours ago

October 9, 2024

Isaac Dachen

State-owned Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (ZESCO) has assured Zambians of improved power supply spanning seven-hour daily, depending on the approval of its emergency tariff adjustment by the Energy Regulation Board (ERB).

ZESCO, which is Zambia’s largest power company producing about 80% of the electricity consumed in the country, made the commitment during a public hearing held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka on Monday.

In his address, Victor Mapani, ZESCO’s Managing Director, stated that the proposed tariff increase would allow the company to raise $15 million monthly to import 300 megawatts (MW) of electricity.

“ZESCO’s ultimate goal is to add 788 MW of power to the 400 MW it currently imports from South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe,” Mapani said.

Also speaking at the forum, Mark O’Donnell, representing the Business Coalition Task Office, noted that ZESCO’s tariffs were more affordable than diesel generators, which many households and businesses had resorted to due to Zambia’s energy challenges.

He emphasized the coalition’s support for the tariff hike but urged ZESCO to ensure efficient use of resources.

Ashu Sagar, President of the Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM), raised concerns about ZESCO’s inconsistent load-shedding schedule, which he said had disrupted production planning and increased costs in the manufacturing sector.

On his part, ERB Board Chairperson, James Banda, announced that the board would make an independent decision on ZESCO tariff adjustment request on Thursday, devoid of political influence.

Metro

All the choices we have made are for sustainable, inclusive growth— Tinubu

Published

14 hours ago

October 9, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has reiterated that all the choices his administration has made since assuming office 17 months ago have been made to stop the country’s decline and put it on a path to sustainable and inclusive growth.

Tinubu, who made the assertion at the 54th Annual Accountants Conference in Abuja on Tuesday, said it was encouraging that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product growth for the first and second quarters of 2024 was positive, giving credence to his reforms and policies.

The president, who was represented by Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Abubakar Bagudu, noted that it was gladdening that inflation was on a downward trend, and the foreign exchange market was stabilising, with encouraging investment signals.

“We are continuing with innovative reform measures: digitisation of revenue collection and government services, consumer credit system to boost manufacturing and enable access to goods and services,” Tinubu said in his address to the audience.

“Our reforms include removing punitive subsidies to the economy. Revenue bleeding has reduced, and the three tiers of government are receiving higher allocations, which enable more support to vulnerable populations.

“Social investment spending is increasing, the minimum wage has increased, student loans are available, and interventions to support NANO, MSME, farming, fishing, and the livestock sector have increased.

“Our collective vision for Nigeria’s future is anchored on strengthening our institutions and nurturing a pervasive culture of accountability,” he said.

He added that his government was committed to leveraging cutting-edge technologies to boost transparency and efficiency and cultivate strategic partnerships to pave the way for sustainable development.