Category: Africa - Page 8 - African News Today

Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Project Followed Due Process – Umahi

8May

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Infrastructure, Lagos News, News, Nigeria

Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Project Followed Due Process – Umahi

The Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi, defended the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project against accusations of nepotism in its procurement process. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar raised concerns over the contract awarded to HiTech Construction without public bidding, alleging favoritism due to the president's personal ties with the company's chairman. Umahi dismissed these allegations, stating that the project strictly adhered to the Procurement Act's guidelines. See Also: David Hundeyin: Coastal Road Project Awarded to Company Tied to Convicted Criminal According to Umahi, the project followed the EPC+F procurement process, wherein the investor provides designs, financing, and construction services, while the government pays counterpart funds. The bid for the project went...

Binance CEO Faults Arrest of its Execs in Nigeria

8May

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Economy, Finance, News, Nigeria

Binance CEO Faults Arrest of its Execs in Nigeria

The CEO of Binance, one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges, has condemned Nigeria's recent arrest of its executives, labeling them as a dangerous precedent. This outcry comes after two of Binance's executives who were invited by the government ended up being detained. The Nigerian took this action as part of a crackdown on crypto-related activities. Richard Teng, the CEO, expressed his dismay at the detention of Tigran Gambaryan, Binance's head of financial crime compliance and a U.S. citizen. He also highlighted the case of Nadeem Anjarwalla, a British-Kenyan regional manager for Africa, who fled Nigeria in March. According to Teng, the ordeal began with meetings between Binance representatives and Nigerian authorities in January. However, matters escalated during a su...

Desperate Search Continues in South Africa After Building Collapse

7May

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Environment, Infrastructure, News, Safety, Security, South Africa

Desperate Search Continues in South Africa After Building Collapse

Death toll rises to 7 11 trapped workers rescued. In George, South Africa, a frantic rescue effort persists into the night as over 30 individuals remain trapped beneath the wreckage of a collapsed apartment building. The construction site, bustling with 75 workers, suffered a catastrophic collapse on Monday afternoon, claiming at least 7 lives. Colin Deiner, leading the provincial Western Cape disaster management services, conveyed the intensity of the rescue operation, expecting it to extend for at least three days. "We are going to give it the absolute maximum time to see how many people we can rescue," Deiner emphasized during a press briefing, highlighting the immense challenges faced by rescue teams maneuvering heavy machinery near trapped individuals. Earlier assessmen...

5 Dead and 49 Missing as Building Collapses in South Africa

7May

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Environment, Infrastructure, News, Safety, South Africa

5 Dead and 49 Missing as Building Collapses in South Africa

In a devastating turn of events, a multi-story apartment complex under construction collapsed in a coastal city in South Africa, leaving 5 persons confirmed dead and dozens of construction workers trapped under the debris for over 12 hours. The incident occurred in George, a city located about 400 kilometers east of Cape Town on the south coast. "Rescue teams have been working tirelessly through the night to reach those trapped under the rubble," stated Colin Deiner, the chief director of the provincial Western Cape Disaster Management and Fire and Rescue Services. "It's a very tough operation… There's a lot of concrete… so we think it will still take quite a while." According to authorities, the collapse, which transpired on Monday afternoon, has resulted in a tragic death toll of ...

President Tinubu to Returns to Nigeria Tomorrow

7May

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News, Nigeria, Press Statement

President Tinubu to Returns to Nigeria Tomorrow

President Bola Tinubu, along with his aides, is set to return to Nigeria on Wednesday the 8th of May after concluding his visit to Europe. The announcement was made by Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser on information and strategy to the president, in a post on his social media handle. Tinubu embarked on his journey on April 22 from Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, heading to The Netherlands for an official visit. The visit was at the invitation of Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Following his engagements in The Netherlands, the President proceeded to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to participate in a special World Economic Forum meeting held between April 28 and 29. See Also: President Tinubu Returns to France for Treatment While it was anticipated that President Tinubu would return after the fo...

Nigeria CBN Introduces Cybersecurity Levy on Transactions

7May

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Economy, Finance, Nigeria, Security

Nigeria CBN Introduces Cybersecurity Levy on Transactions

The Central Bank of Nigeria has issued a directive requiring banks to impose a 0.5% cybersecurity levy on transactions. This directive, conveyed through a circular released on Monday, is set to take effect within two weeks from its announcement. The circular, directed to all categories of banks including commercial, merchant, non-interest, and payment service banks, underscores the intention to combat cybercrimes in line with existing legislative frameworks like the Cybercrimes Act of 2015. This directive follows up on previous communications dated June 25, 2018, and October 5, 2018, signaling the CBN's sustained efforts to enhance cybersecurity measures within the financial sector. The decision to implement this levy is reportedly rooted in the Cybercrime Act of 2024, which mand...

Kenya Floods Claim 228 Lives: Search for 72 Missing Intensifies

6May

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Environment, Kenya, News, Safety

Kenya Floods Claim 228 Lives: Search for 72 Missing Intensifies

In a tragic update, the death toll from Kenya's devastating floods has surged to at least 228, with 72 individuals currently reported as missing and 164 wounded, Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura announced on Sunday (May 5). The floods, triggered by weeks of heavier than usual seasonal rains compounded by natural weather phenomena like El-Nino and the Indian Ocean Dipole, have wreaked havoc across East Africa. See Also: Reopening of Kenyan Schools Postponed Amid Ongoing Flood Crisis Mwaura revealed that over 223,000 people have been affected by the catastrophic floods, prompting authorities to enforce evacuation orders issued on May 2nd. In Nairobi County alone, 163,210 residents have been evacuated from vulnerable areas along riverbanks, with the government arranging alternative...

Rampaging Cyclone Hidaya Wreaks Havoc in Tanzania

6May

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Environment, Kenya, News, Safety, Tanzania

Rampaging Cyclone Hidaya Wreaks Havoc in Tanzania

Torrential rains and fierce winds wreaked havoc and exacerbated flooding as Cyclone Hidaya battered Tanzania over the weekend. The country grappled with a widespread power outage on Saturday as it braced itself for the tropical cyclone's impact, which followed weeks of relentless flooding that claimed the lives of over 150 people. Ferry services connecting Tanzania's bustling commercial center, Dar es Salaam, with Zanzibar were halted as the cyclone approached the coastline, packing winds comparable to a Category 1 hurricane. https://twitter.com/tma_services/status/1786894813138235655 According to meteorological authorities, coastal areas experienced an unprecedented deluge overnight Friday, prompting forecasters to issue warnings of further flooding across the region, anticipa...

Breaking: FG Reduces ElectricityTariff for Band A

6May

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Infrastructure, News, Nigeria, Power

Breaking: FG Reduces ElectricityTariff for Band A

The Federal Government has approved a reduction in electricity tariffs for Band A customers to N206.80/kWh, down from N225/kWh in Nigeria. Band A customers are defined as electricity consumers receiving a minimum of 20 hours of power supply daily. See Also: Power Tariff Hike: FG Discontinues Electricity Subsidy In a notice issued to its customers on Monday, Ikeja Electric announced the tariff adjustment, stating: "Please be informed of the downward tariff review of our Band A feeders from N225/kWh to N206.80/kWh effective May 6, 2024, with guaranteed availability of 20-24hrs supply daily. The tariff for Bands B, C, D, and E remains unchanged." Further details on this development are forthcoming.

Ex Abia State Commissioner Denies Claims of Financial Impropriety

6May

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Corruption, Justice, News, Nigeria

Ex Abia State Commissioner Denies Claims of Financial Impropriety

John Kalu, who previously served as the Commissioner for Information, Trade & Investment under the administration of former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, has provided additional insights into the contentious forensic audit report released by the government of Alex Otti. Kalu, shedding light on some of Ikpeazu’s accomplishments during his tenure, offered a detailed account of the conception and implementation of the airport project. These details were shared through a statement issued to the media on Sunday. Kalu addressed a publication by the "Whistler" Blog purportedly linked to Governor Alex Otti’s ally, Chief James Chijioke Ume (Koos) of Abam in Arochukwu LGA of Abia State. The publication continued the media onslaught against former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, echoing un...