Month: June 2024

he Kano State Government has earmarked over N1.9 billion in its 2024 budget for the development of water and sanitation infrastructure to improve the lives of its residents.

Mrs Binta Lawani, Permanent Secretary, Kano State Ministry of Rural Community Development, announced this at the two-day WASH Systems for Health (WS4H) National Training Workshop on Thursday in Abuja.

The WS4H programme, convened by Self Help Africa, is a 5 million Pound Sterling FCDO-funded initiative to improve access to inclusive, reliable, and climate-resilient water and sanitation services in Cross River and Kano States.

Lawani said that the intervention was necessary, following Kano’s large population and the urgent need to enhance access to potable water and sanitation facilities.

She said that the state recognised addressing the issue as a priority for inclusive development and environmental improvement.

Lawani also said that the written agreement demonstrated the government’s commitment, not only in terms of counterpart fina
ncing but also in allocating budget funds where they were most needed.

Joy Aderele, Country Director of Self Help Africa, noted that the workshop aimed to strengthen institutions, political will, and stakeholder commitment, vital for sustainable WASH initiatives.

According to her, there is a need for a holistic approach to WASH, emphasising that it should be a comprehensive service rather than just infrastructure, as this can lead to more effective and sustainable solutions.

‘Defining clear indicators to measure the strength of the WASH system is vital; these indicators should cover aspects such as accessibility, reliability, sustainability and impact on health.

‘Regular monitoring and evaluation will help track progress and identify areas for improvement,” she said.

The country director, however, said that leveraging learnings from SHA’s 24 projects across 10 countries could provide valuable insights and best practices.

She added that adapting these learnings to the Nigerian context would be critical
to effectively address local challenges and opportunities.

Shadrack Guusu, Head of WASH Programmes at SHA, said there was need to strengthen local institutions and communities for effectively managing and sustaining WASH services.

He said the approach aimed to empower communities and enhance resilience, ensuring continuous access to clean water and sanitation facilities.

Guusu stressed SHA’s role in advocacy and policy influence, working closely with government and policymakers to prioritise WASH in development agendas and secure necessary resources for implementation.

He also emphasised the importance of exploring sustainable financing mechanisms, including public-private partnerships, to ensure long-term funding for WASH initiatives.

John Wali, WS4H Programme Manager at SHA, emphasised the importance of government support, noting that Kano government had committed funding for WASH initiatives.

He expressed optimism that other states would follow suit, saying that the ultimate goal was to create an ena
bling environment for the successful implementation and scale-up of the programme.

‘We are looking forward to continued government support to ensure the programme’s success.

‘The collaboration with our in-country partners is crucial, and their expertise in market-based sanitation will be vital in achieving our sanitation goals,’ he said.

Will Tillett, the Senior Global WASH Advisor with Self Help Africa, stressed the need to address WASH challenges, including open defecation, sustainability of rural water services, and inclusivity.

Tillett highlighted the importance of robust foundations to ensure the effectiveness of larger investments in the sector.

He said that through system strengthening and securing increased sector finance, the programme aimed to greatly benefit Nigerians by promoting long-term sustainability and inclusivity in WASH services.

In his goodwill message, Mr Suleiman Adamu, former Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, emphasised stakeholder collaborations and urged subnational o
wnership in WASH service delivery.

Adamu, who is the Chairman of SHA’s advisory board, also said that getting water and sanitation services right would solve all basic health problems in the country.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

_: Malam Ali M. Ali, the Managing Director(MD) of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), has said that quick countering of fake news by communication specialists would curtail its damage.

He made this known in Abuja on Wednesday in a paper he presented at a roundtable organised by the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), and Development Specs Academy (DSA).

The theme of the event was ‘Asymmetrical National Security Challenges, the Army and National Development’.

Ali spoke on the topic ‘Professional News Management as Panacea for Infodemics, Misinformation and Fake news’.

He declared that there was need for timely countering of misinformation which entailed striking a balance between speedy response, and the volume of information available for the responding outlet.

‘A burning issue should not be allowed to fester before we react, although there are times when silence is said to be golden until an auspicious time when a valid response would be desirable.’

The MD also said that the media, globally, play a ver
y important role in practically every aspect of life.

‘In an increasingly shrinking global space marked by exponential growth in media convergence and artificial intelligence, the dampeners of infodemics, misinformation and fake news have all but assumed lives of their own.

‘This development rightly ought to be a source of concern and it is gratifying that NARC and the Development Specs Academy have given this issue more than a cursory attention.’

He said that Infodemics, as defined by David Rothkopf, a journalist and political scientist, is ‘a few facts, mixed with fear, speculation and rumour, amplified and relayed swiftly worldwide by modern information technologies’.

Ali said that infodemics was now dominating national life where purveyors of misinformation and fake news turned little facts on their heads to achieve a predetermined end.

Proffering solutions to infodemics, fake news and misinformation, the MD said that truthfulness and accuracy must be upheld in order to build trust with the public.

‘The authenticity of a message reinforces that copy or communication. When people perceive the message to be authentic, they tend to believe it the more and show understanding.

‘Genuineness or sincerity is critical in winning the people over,’ he said.

He also suggested that institutions of state must promote digital literacy among their communications professionals, especially now that the media landscape was constantly in a state of flux.

‘As communication specialists, we have to be innovative and refrain from a one-size-fits all communication approach,’ he said.

Also speaking, Executive Director, Development Specs Academy (DSA), Prof. Okey Ikechukwu, said that the country had security challenges that were no longer easy to deal with, following traditional methods.

‘As such, there is the need for a social reorientation of citizens to divulge information on threats in their communities, to security agencies.

‘It is about a progressive change of social attitude, about security at the level of awareness,
at the level of people knowing that they should have an interest in securing the society. And should tell persons responsible when they see danger.’

He said that to deal with the nature of Nigeria’s insecurity, it would require social reorientation, having greater partnerships with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs),and community-based organisations.

‘More importantly, education and reeducation of youth leaders. If they become part of the conversation, they will be in a position to tell those who don’t know, what to do with themselves,’ he said.

In his remarks, the Director-General of NARC, retired Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab, said that the objective of the roundtable was to try to foster military-media cooperation and understanding.

Wahab, who was represented by retired Maj.-Gen. James Miyam, said that the media should continuously try to propagate what the Nigerian Army was doing and, by so doing, elicit community support among Nigerian citizens.

‘What came out in the roundtable table is that there is an
overarching need for perception management by media managers.

‘This is for them to understand and balance the need to carry out their responsibilities well.’

He said that the community and citizen support was very critical to the operational activities of the army.

‘So, we are trying to now sensitise the entire Nigerian citizenry on the need for them to come to us when they have information that can enhance operational activities of the military.

‘They should not shy away; they should quickly come forward and give this information,’ he said.

For a former spokesman of the army, retired Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, there was the need to improve the relationship between the Nigerian Army and the public.

This, he said, was to have a better understanding and appreciation of the sacrifices and the efforts of the Nigerian Army in dealing with the security challenges in the country and defending its own territorial integrity.

He also said that non-violence communication could be integrated in the overall communicati
on strategy of the army in dealing with their relationship with the public.

In his submission, a traditional ruler from Delta, Prof. Echefuna Onyebeadi, said that in spite of the overwhelming evidence of the importance of traditional rulers in the management of national security, there existed some challenges that mitigate their proper functioning.

‘One of the challenges is lack of constitutional role. The Constitution does not make any specific provision for the role of traditional rulers in this country,’ he fumed.

While expressing sadness over ‘security votes’ to state governors without much results in the fight against insecurity, Onyebeadi said that if part of the votes ‘trickle down to the traditional domain, it would aid national security’.

On the part of the NGO, Executive Director, Hedda Beautiful Hands, Ltd, Hope Ayabina, suggested that the military should get involved with the activities of NGOs.

‘They should teach them a skill or two; security skills preferably. That, in itself, can be a tool
for intelligence gathering,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Two new Routine Road Maintenance (RRM) contracts in the John Taolo Gaetsewe (JTG) District of the Northern Cape will create scores of opportunities for subcontracting and local labour over a period of five years, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

SANRAL is currently evaluating tenders received for these contracts and hopes to appoint contractors later this year.

Speaking at a recent stakeholder engagement session with small business owners in Mothibistad, just outside Kuruman, SANRAL Project Manager Rudi Joubert unpacked the significant opportunities for project participation, job creation, skills development, training and enterprise development that come with projects of this magnitude.

‘The work will focus on maintenance of the N14 and will include grass cutting, removal of alien vegetation, cleaning of culverts (a tunnel carrying a stream or open drain under a roadway), clearing of litter at rest areas and keeping the road reserve and the fences clean.

‘Mainten
ance of the N14 will be done on an ongoing basis and small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) should prepare to take advantage of the opportunities for subcontracting,’ Joubert said.

The first of the two projects runs between Olifantshoek and the North West border and spans about 250 kilometres.

The second project starts between Danielskuil and Kuruman, through Kuruman, past Hotazel, continuing to the Botswana border.

‘Both projects will be solely focused on RRM, so they do not deteriorate over time. If there is a pothole, it will be fixed and if there are cracks, they will be sealed,’ Joubert said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Over the past 30 years of our constitutional democracy, we have travelled an exciting journey together with many ups and downs experienced along the way. Despite the turbulence, we have always shown our resolve as a nation to rise above our circumstances and reach this pivotal moment where we celebrate 30 Years of Freedom.

To draw South Africans from across the country into our celebrations, the South African Road Agency in partnership with government has launched the Democracy Bus that will travel to different parts of our amazing country – from our nation’s towering cities to deep rural communities.

Through this journey we will share our unique story of South Africa rising from a turbulent past to a vibrant hopeful nation. Reaching this national milestone would not have been possible without the many people across our nation who made an extraordinary impact in both fighting for and preserving our freedom.

Government calls on all South Africans to ‘get on the bus’ so that they can see and experience the c
hanges we have gone through, as well re-live the many pivotal moments in our democratic journey.

Through the various planned activations along the route, citizens will have an opportunity to engage with government and to share their stories and experiences of living in a democratic and free South Africa.

In getting everyone talking, we can appreciate our journey and use our experiences to heal the wounds of the past. Through sharing our stories, we will start realising that we all subscribe to the same basic set of values such as mutual respect, democracy, freedom, equality and justice.

Our stories should create an understanding that our respective journeys to freedom might have been different, but we are united in our love for the country and passion to move the country forward.

The gains made by our society would also be better appreciated when viewed against what life was like before 1994. As a starting point we can undoubtedly say that life has improved and that South Africa is a much better place.

W
e have made significant progress in transforming the apartheid state into a democratic one founded on the values of human dignity, non-racialism and non-sexism, the rule of law, and universal adult suffrage, as enshrined in the Constitution.

We have succeeded in lifting millions of people out of poverty. Millions now have access to water, road infrastructure, healthcare, education, housing and many other basic services, which they did not have before 1994. When looking back over the past 30 years, all South Africans can be proud of the progress we have made as a young nation.

Of course, our trajectory since 1994 has not been without many challenges and headwinds. But what has remained clear is the ability of South Africans to rise above adversity and to pull together in our darkest hours. The story of South Africa has always been about our people and now more than ever the collective future resides in the hands of the people.

Through our dialogue in the Democracy Bus initiative, we can take stock of our de
mocratic gains, as well as track the reach and effectiveness of government programmes thus far. It allows us to focus on what still needs to be done to build a better tomorrow for everyone.

As the bus travels on our roads across all provinces to 30 locations in various parts of our country, citizens will have an opportunity to be part of our ‘Spot the Bus’ campaign. Citizens can keep a look out for information on the bus’s journey through a digital map that will be published on various social media platforms.

The bus is also expected to stop at GCIS Thusong Service centres, which are earmarked as key activation sites. It will also stop at venues for community meetings, Izimbizo and national events, as well as dams, police stations, schools, clinics and hospitals built over the years.

Whilst much has been achieved over our democratic journey, plenty of work remains as we build our nation. Through our resilient and hopeful spirit, there are no limits to what we can achieve as a nation. Let us join in the cel
ebration of our journey thus far and together forge a path forward towards even greater development.

*Vusi Mona is General Manager: Communications at the South African National Roads Agency

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Eastern Cape provincial government says the diverse expertise and leadership of the new Members of the Executive Council (MECs) will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of the provincial government.

The provincial government recently welcomed the new MECs announced by Premier Oscar Mabuyane as part of the seventh administration, after he was sworn in as Eastern Cape Premier.

Mabuyane has made two adjustments to the executive council. These include the appointment of the new Health MEC Ntandokazi Capa, and Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture MEC, Sibulele Ngongo.

Capa replaced Nomakhosazana Meth, who is now a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly, while Ngongo took over the reins from Nonceba Kontsiwe, who has been moved to the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform.

Mabuyane also announced part of the new changes, which include the separation of the Finance Department from the Department of Economic Development, Environment Affairs, and Tourism.

Mlungisi Mvoko
has been appointed as the new Finance MEC, while Nonkqubela Pieters will be the MEC of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism.

The Human Settlements Department has also been merged with the Public Works and Infrastructure Department, to be led by former Human Settlement MEC, Siphokazi Mani-Lusithi.

Mabuyane said the new MECs will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of the government.

‘Their contributions will drive the Eastern Cape forward and enhance the province’s ability to deliver. Through transparent and accountable governance, the province strives to improve the quality of life for all its residents,’ Mabuyane said, reiterating the provincial government’s commitment to fostering a prosperous, equitable, and sustainable province.

Source: South African Government News Agency

As the world commemorates International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Department of Social Development has raised concerns about alcohol as the first drug of choice by youngsters.

International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed annually on 26 June.

The United Nations General Assembly established the day, which is commonly known as World Drug Day, in 1987 to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, around 269 million people worldwide used drugs in 2018, and these numbers continue to rise.

World Drug Day highlights the global commitment needed to address drug abuse and illicit trafficking through education, support, and rehabilitation.

This year, World Drug Day focuses on investing in prevention and teaching countries the importance of understanding effective drug policies based on science, research, compassion, and full respect for human rig
hts.

The day also emphasises a thorough comprehension of the social, economic, and health consequences of drug use and will highlight ending stigma and strengthening prevention efforts to combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

‘By uniting globally and prioritising compassion and education, significant strides toward a drug-free world can be achieved,’ the department said.

According to the department, people can contribute to the commemoration of this day by spreading awareness, supporting local prevention and rehabilitation programmes, participating in community events, and advocating for policies that address drug abuse and trafficking.

The commemoration was preceded by a National Anti-Drug Awareness Week, which commenced on 18 to 22 June 2024.

The department also took the time to engage with community members from Scenery Park, East London, in the Eastern Cape, which is grappling with a high rate of substance abuse, especially among the youth.

The engagement coincided with the remembrance of the t
ragic deaths of 21 teenagers at Enyobeni Tavern two years ago, highlighting the ongoing challenge of drug abuse and community efforts to address the scourge.

‘The department is concerned that alcohol remains the first drug of choice for young people and the Policy of Prevention and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders will be finalised for tabling to Cabinet for approval.

‘The policy seeks to empower the country to deal with the abuse of alcohol especially by children and replace effective policies with evidence-based policies.’

Meanwhile, the international conference is currently underway in Greece by the Global Commission on Drug Policy, of which South Africa is a member.

“South Africa’s participation is to align the country’s interventions with international standards and certify practitioners to provide substance use services.

Source: South African Government News Agency