Metro

Libyan flood death toll surpasses 6,000; 10,000 missing

Published

1 year ago

September 14, 2023

Death toll in the raging floods in Libya has reached more than 6,000 people, with another 10,000 reported missing, the International Organization for Migration (IMO) says in a situation report on Thursday.

The UN migration agency said most of the dead were swept out to the Mediterranean Sea or buried under rubble in the flooding that emanated as a result of torrential rain caused by tropical Storm Daniel which hit the eastern parts of the country on Tuesday.

The report, which was presented to the United Nations, said not less than 30,000 of the people had been displaced from the city of Derna which had been the worst hit in the incident while thousands more from other provinces including Benghazi had also been affected.

The agency further noted that apart from the destruction witnessed in the affected cities, surviving residents now faced humanitarian crisis including food shortages, lack of water and medical supplies.

In a separate report, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said the situation in Derna was very bad and that international support was needed.

The head of communications at the IFRC Middle East and North Africa office, Mey Al Sayegh, in a briefing on X, said that there was no clean drinking water in Derna and no medical supplies, and that the only hospital in the city could no longer take patients.

Al Sayegh added that what was needed now was water, shelter, medical aid, food and psychosocial support, as Libya had already faced challenges for years and needed funding.

“This is going to be a tragic situation for tens of thousands, not just in Derna, but also across Libya. The thing about this is that Libya, with its many problems, has been off the headlines for months, if not over a year now.

“Now it’s back in the spotlight, and it is important to stress that Libya has been left behind. The Libya crisis has been left behind. And now it’s time for donors to get back on track and fund this emergency”, she said.

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Metro

Zambia: President Hichilema sacks three Constitutional Court judges

Published

1 day ago

October 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema, has finally sacked three Constitutional Court judges whom he had earlier placed on suspension.

The affected judges, whose sacks are with immediate effect according to a statement by State House Chief Communications Specialist, Clayson Hamasaka, are Anne Sitali, Mungeni Mulenga, and Palan Mulonda.

Hamasaka, who announced the decision in a statement on Sunday evening, stated that the President acted on a recommendation from the Judicial Complaints Commission (JCC).

“The removal of the judges is in exercise of the powers vested in the President under Article 143 (b) and (c) of the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia,” said Hamasaka.

Before their dismissal, the three judges had been suspended by President Hichilema who had then sought a judicial review from the Lusaka High Court, arguing that their suspension violated the principle of res judicata, meaning the case had already been settled.

The judges had also contended that the complaint, initially filed by Moses Kalonde, stemmed from the 2016 presidential election petition between Hichilema and former President Edgar Lungu, which was concluded in 2017.

They had sought to quash the JCC’s decision to reopen the matter, asserting that earlier complaints, resolved by Emmanuel Mtonga, Alfred Chims Mbewe, and Douglas Syakalima, had settled it.

The judges also requested a stay of the JCC proceedings, scheduled for 30 September, and the suspension itself, pending the High Court’s decision.

The judges had also called for an expedited hearing, with costs to be borne by the Attorney General, represented by Messrs Sam Chisulo and Company.

However, the court quickly dismissed their case, ruling that it lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter.

Metro

Nigeria confirms supplying 24-hr power to Togo, Benin, Niger

Published

2 days ago

October 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Despite its inability to provide steady electricity for Nigerians amid regular collapse of the national grid, Nigeria’s electricity regulatory body, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), says Nigeria supplies 24-hour electricity to neighbouring Togo, Benin and Niger.

The Managing Director and CEO of TCN, Sule Abdulaziz, who disclosed this in an interview programme on Sunday night, confessed that the three neighbouring countries enjoyed regular power supplied by Nigeria.

“We supply Togo, Benin, and Niger. They get power from Nigeria on a 24-hour basis, and they are paying for it,” Abdulaziz stated during the programme.

When he was asked why many Nigerians do not enjoy uninterrupted power like the residents of the countries, the TCN CEO said there are some Nigerians who enjoy 24-hour electricity.

“Nigerians are getting 24-hour supply, but it’s not everyone. Those in Band A receive 20-22 hours of power supply.”

Abdulaziz however, expressed optimism about achieving a consistent electricity supply across Nigeria within five years.

“I am telling you we can get consistent power supply in less than five years. The new minister is looking at the problems, he is not doing cosmetic showdowns.

“If there is a system collapse, it doesn’t mean all the problems are from TCN, it can be from generation, it can be from transmission it can be from distribution. Some of these can also come from disaster. You cannot say it is the fault of the TCN just like that. TCN are in charge of managing the grid.

“People have to understand the difference between the TCN and Nepa. When we were Nepa, we were the ones doing the generation, transmission, distribution and marketing.

“But now we are only doing one leg which is transmission. But there could be issues in all other sectors which are the generation and the distribution. But people only know Nepa and they think TCN is NEPA and they put the blame on TCN.

“Most of the equipment we use is over 50 years old. Electricity is now expensive in Nigeria, we feel it is expensive because we are getting it at a cheaper price. If you go to other African countries, go to Burkina Faso, Senegal, Niger; Nigeria is cheaper,” he stated.