Month: June 2024

The Federal Government has inaugurated Climate Justice Youth Ambassadors (CJYA) as part of activities to commemorate the World Environment day.

CJYA is an initiative of Oxfam Nigeria geared towards promotion of sustainable environment.

The Minister of Environment, Mr Balarabe Lawal while inaugurating the ambassadors on Wednesday in Abuja, lauded Oxfam for mobilising youth to be vanguard of environmental protection.

He said that the constitution of the ambassadors was a great progress in the nation’s efforts to ensure environmental sustainability.

Lawal said that environmental protection was not the responsibility of the Federal Government and States alone, but for all and sundry.

‘We need to continue to propagate the issue of climate justice from big cities like Kano, Lagos Port Harcourt among others who are major polluters of the environment.

‘We in the ministry are on it and we need to fight for climate justice at all levels.

‘l assure Oxfam that the ministry will continue to support and provide all
that is required to achieve climate justice across board to ensure sustainable environment for our future generations,’he said

Kenneth Akpan, Climate Justice Project Coordinator, Oxfam Nigeria said the organisation through the African Activist for Climate Justice (AACI) Project, has deepened its engagements towards ending poverty.

Schools that participated in the quiz competition.

Akpan said the vulnerable populace includes women, youths and persons with disability in the face of climate reality and injustice.

He said the climate justice ambassadors was borne out of the AACI project to tap into the strength, and capacity of youths as solution bearers to the country’s climate challenges.

According to him, it is also to support the government as foot soldiers to deepen and carry out governments drive to solve the global climate crises at the grassroot, local, states, national among others.

‘The mission is to see how Nigerian youths can become global leaders and reference point to the global climate crisis
starting from home.

‘We have encouraged them to take charge as climate activists, leaders of tomorrow in climate space.

‘Among these ambassadors are youth that are converting plastic into interlocking tiles, youth that are taking care of Jabi Lake by removing water hyacinth and recycling it and others.

‘They have come up with climate gain that children can play and improve their knowledge on climate action, ‘he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Environment Day is commemorated annually on June 5 with the theme ‘Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience’.

Event to mark the day was a quiz competition by Government Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) Wuse, Maitama and Jabi.

JSS Jabi emerged winner, JSS Wuse came second while Maitama came third.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Department of Health is appealing to citizens who have been in close contact with known or suspected patients of monkeypox disease, also known as Mpox, to go to their nearest health facility.

This is after the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) detected two more cases of Mpox this week at Addington and St Augustine Hospitals in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

‘The preliminary case finding report has revealed that the two recent cases had contact with the other previously confirmed case in the province, and this suggests that there is a local transmission of the disease, which could potentially lead to a larger outbreak in the province,’ the department said in a statement.

This brings the total number of laboratory-confirmed infections in the country to four, with three in KwaZulu-Natal and one in Gauteng.

READ | SA records second case of Mpox

According to the data, all the patients are South African males in their mid to late 30s.

The department said close contact with lesions, sexual contac
t, body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated materials such as bedding transmit the Mpox virus from one person to another.

The incubation period of Mpox is usually from six to 13 days but can range from five to 21 days.

‘The health officials rely on transparency and cooperation from cases or patients for contact tracing and case finding to determine the rate of transmission of this infectious virus at community level.’

The department said they were pleased by the patients’ honesty and courage during the investigation process and thanked them for assisting officials in tracing suspected cases who also tested positive.

‘It is through transparency of both confirmed and suspected cases that government can prevent further transmission and avoidable deaths.’

Meanwhile, the department in collaboration with various stakeholders in the sector is intensifying epidemiology and surveillance, and risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) activities.

‘These will also help to address social stigma, w
hich contributes to people’s decision not to openly speak out because they suspect communities will not accept them due to their health conditions.’

In most cases, the department said stigma contributes to the spread of the virus thereby making the outbreak and transmission worse.

Symptoms

Some of the common symptoms of Mpox include a rash, which may last for two to four weeks, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen glands.

‘The painful rash looks like blisters or sores, and can affect the face, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, groin, genital and/or anal regions,’ the department explained.

However, the department has urged the public not to panic because the situation remains under control and that they will keep the public informed of the situation.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) says it is mulling its legal options after the Eastern Cape High Court in Bhisho struck the academic fraud case against Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane off the roll.

The case against Mabuyane is related to his entry into the university’s Master’s in Public Administration programme, allegedly without meeting the requirements.

The case was triggered following the unit’s investigation into the university’s affairs.

‘The High Court order… struck out the SIU’s defence in the matter brought by Premier Oscar Mabuyane. The merits of the case have not been ventilated.

‘There was a miscommunication that occurred when there was a change of attorneys on record and the court was not informed on time, which resulted in this order. The SIU will investigate the issue relating to the miscommunication in this regard,’ the unit said.

The corruption busting unit said it noted the judgement and will be exploring its options.

‘The SIU wishes to assure the public that we will explore a
ll legal options, including amending the Proclamation.

‘The investigation into the University of Fort Hare’s affairs is ongoing, and we will communicate the outcomes at the appropriate time,’ the SIU concluded.

Source: South African Government News Agency

eThekwini Municipality Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, has commended the work done and still underway to restore basic services in uThongathi following heavy rains, which caused widespread destruction to homes and infrastructure in the metro areas.

Kaunda conducted an assessment on the restoration of basic services in the eMagwaveni area in uThongathi on Wednesday, following recent heavy rains accompanied by strong wind and hailstorms.

Seven lives were lost and there was extensive damage to households and infrastructure in eThekwini metro.

Kaunda emphasised that the current priority was clearing of debris and fallen trees on roads so that municipal teams can access the area.

“We are pleased that this work has been done and work is underway to restore electricity. Government departments and non-government organisations that are providing temporary relief are now able to access the area.

‘Working with the Department of Human Settlements, we are accelerating the process of rebuilding houses of the bereaved families
so that they can commence with funeral arrangements in proper structures,” Kaunda said.

Three temporary shelters have been established to accommodate displaced families, and assessments are ongoing to determine the extent of the damage to infrastructure.

Kaunda noted that the heavy rainfall came at a time when the municipality was preparing to commence with a housing project in the area at the end of June.

He said that instead of building temporary houses for the affected households, the municipality will accelerate the process of building permanent houses as part of the housing project that was planned for eMagwaveni.

Kaunda assured residents that water supply in the area was not severely affected and that there the community continues to receive clean drinking water from the taps.

uThongathi is currently the most affected area, with hundreds of houses severely destroyed. Other areas that have also been severely affected include Umgababa, south of the eThekwini Metro, Eshowe, Utrecht, Osizweni and KwaHl
abisa.

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government is currently coordinating various sector departments to provide humanitarian relief and other interventions to assist the affected communities.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has signed a significant Terminal Operator Agreement (TOA) with Mnambithi Terminals, paving the way for the development of a state-of the-art liquid bulk facility at the Port of Durban’s Maydon Wharf Precinct.

The project, with an investment value of R1.3 billion, will transform the port’s infrastructure, and feature advanced direct rail and road loading capabilities, an on-site truck staging area, and automated loading systems.

The upgrades will streamline operations and reduce road congestion in the Maydon Wharf area, thereby improving the overall logistical flow.

The agreement signed recently, follows a successful section 79 directive under the National Ports Act of 2005, which underscores the project’s alignment with national strategic and economic goals.

Transnet Group Chief Executive Advocate, Michelle Phillips, said the initiative forms part of Transnet’s broader Recovery Plan aimed at boosting volume recovery and operational efficiencies across its division
s.

Phillips noted that the project’s completion will not only modernise the port, but also significantly contribute to Durban’s economy by creating over 50 to 100 direct jobs and more than 400 indirect job opportunities for local communities.

Phillips said the 20-year TOA with Mnambithi Terminals, a 100% Black-owned subsidiary of Mnambithi Group, highlights TNPA’s commitment to fostering transformation and inclusive growth within the port industry.

‘TNPA is deliberate about enabling transformation in the industry and breaking barriers of entry by ensuring inclusion and access for all. We are therefore delighted to welcome Mnambithi Terminals and hope that this strategic relationship will promote the national, strategic, and economic interests of the country, as mandated by Section 79 of the National Ports Act of 2005,’ Phillips said.

The project will be executed in two phases, with the initial phase involving the demolition of the existing structures, including foundations, installation of tanks, associat
ed infrastructure, road loading gantry, as well as bulk transfer of pipelines connecting Mnambithi Terminals to the relevant berths to receive liquid cargo.

The second phase will include the installation of remaining tanks and associated infrastructure.

eThekwini Municipality Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda commended the move, emphasising its potential to significantly grow the city’s economy.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Department of Employment and Labour has condemned the killing of an employee from the Fort Beaufort Labour Centre, in the Eastern Cape.

The woman was murdered by an employee, with whom she was in a relationship.

The Department’s Acting Director-General, Onke Mjo, said it was regrettable that the relationship ended in such a tragic manner.

‘We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and to all our officials who are dealing with the shock and sadness of this devastating event. The loss of a young life in such circumstances is a tragedy beyond words,’ Mjo said.

Mjo condemned any act of gender-based violence (GBV), noting that the recent report released by the Public Protector on GBV underscored the urgency and importance of addressing this issue.

READ | Public Protector report on GBV welcomed

‘Now, we are faced with this matter within our own ranks. The department does not condone gender-based violence in any form and will continue to advocate for a safe and respectful work environ
ment for all,’ Mjo said.

The department will continue to provide all necessary assistance to the family and those affected by the tragic incident.

Mjo said the matter is in the hands of court authorities, and the department has full confidence in the justice system.

Parallel with the ongoing court proceedings, Mjo said the department is steadfast in its commitment to commence immediate and appropriate internal procedures, potentially encompassing disciplinary actions.

‘We urge all our employees and the public to support those affected by GBV and to stand together in condemning such acts. Let us all strive to create a society where every individual is treated with dignity and respect,’ Mjo said.

Source: South African Government News Agency