Day: July 15, 2024

The International Association of Emergency Management Africa (IAEM Africa) says it will focus on local knowledge and expertise in developing the framework for disaster management in the continent.

The President of IAEM Africa, Dr Susan Agada, stated this at the IAEM Africa Inaugural Symposium in Abuja on Monday .

According to Agada, building an Africa-centred resilient and adaptive disaster management framework is imperative because most frameworks without sufficient involvement of Africans do not work in the continent.

Agada said that the framework would not only strengthen responses to emergency crises, but also anticipate and mitigate them, thereby safeguarding communities and fostering sustainable development.

‘The IAEM Africa platform will leverage African expertise to ensure that the continent has a voice in the discourse on environmental issues around the world.

‘Currently, Africa is the least contributor to the factors that create climate change, but our voice is the smallest in the discourse.

‘
Therefore, the goal of the IAEM Africa is to draw the needed attention to our issues using our own voice.

‘The goal is to bring together our wealth of professionals in Africa and other resources and communicate our issues to the world,” she said.

Agada, however, said that, while prioritising African-led solutions, the association would seek resources and partnerships beyond African borders.

‘Our vision is to ensure that Africa sets the terms of engagements with international partners with dignity and sovereignty.

‘By controlling our narrative and strategy, we can ensure that external support complements our initiatives rather than dictates them,’ she said.

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She stressed the need to speak with one voice in addressing the myriads of challenges confronting Africa, particularly threats posed by climate change.

‘This unified voice will enable us to address disaster-related challenges more effectively, leveraging our collective strengths and e
xpertise.

‘Together, we can transform the landscape of disaster management in Africa, ensuring that our continent is better prepared, more resilient, and able to thrive in the face of adversity,’ she said.

From left: Pioneer Director-General, FCT Emergency Management Agency, Dr Abbas Idriss; acting D-G, Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department, Mrs Florence Wenegieme; President, International Association of Emergency Management Africa (IAEM Africa), Dr Susan Agada; and the Director Planning, Research and Forecasting, National Emergency Management Agency, Dr Onimode Bandele, during the IAEM Africa Inaugural Symposium in Abuja on Monday.

Also speaking, Hajiya Zubaida Umar, Director-General (D-G), National Emergency Management Agency, stressed the need for robust and coordinated emergency management strategies for Africa.

Umar, who was represented by Dr Onimode Bandele , Director Planning, Research and Forecasting, said that the IAEM Africa provided the needed platform for collaboration, inn
ovation, and knowledge sharing among emergency management professionals.

Similarly, Mrs Florence Wenegieme, acting D-G, Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department, said that IAEM Africa would significantly impact disaster management and response in Africa.

She urged the association to strengthen networking among disaster management professionals in Africa and promote adaptation of technology-driven innovations in disaster management.

‘In area of disaster management, we cannot run away from innovations, knowledge sharing, capacity building and technology driven rescue operations in line with global practices,’ she said.

Also, Dr Abbas Idriss, the pioneer D-G, FCT Emergency Management Agency said that disaster response was a multi-facet, multi-disciplinary and multi-agency activity that requires networking to share information, expertise and resources.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports Idriss spoke on a paper, ‘Communication, Coordination, Cooperation, and Collaboration: A Multi-Agenc
y Approach for Effective/Efficient Disaster Management across Africa.’

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According to him, understanding communication, coordination, cooperation and collaboration, will enable emergency managers to work more effectively and efficiently in responding to disasters and minimizing the impact on communities across Africa.

NAN reports that the executive members inaugurated were President, Dr Susan Agada as President, Miss Amina Saba as Secretary; Dr Emenike Umesi as Head of Planning and Research; and Prof. Prof. Jaiye Dukiya as Director Programmes.

Others are Dr Abbas Idriss as Membership Coordinator; Prof. Andrew Obafemi as Partnership Liaison; Prof. Usman Kibon, Head, Training and Development Officer; and Mr Femi Giwa, Deputy Training and Development Officer.

Also inaugurated are Rhoda Sadus as Communication Specialist; Amb. Victor Ogah as Event Coordinator; and Mr Akiode Saheed as Deputy Event Coordinator.

Source: News Agency of
Nigeria

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy says although the transport sector faces challenges, the department remains committed to fulfil its mandate to the people of South Africa.

‘Given the current status of the transport sector, my first task in this 7th Administration is to stabilise the transport system in our country and make our department fit to fulfil its policy-making and regulatory role,’ the Minister said when tabling the department’s Budget Vote at Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Transport on Monday.

Challenges in the department

Creecy said the department has become ‘disconnected’ from its vision to lead the development of efficient and integrated transport systems.

‘[Today], we would all agree that an efficient and functioning transport sector that moves people and goods safely, speedily and affordably across the length and breadth of our country is the key to a successful economy.

‘In recent times, there has been a disconnect between this vision and the realities of our transport system and ou
r national Transport Department. Our sector is not operating as either an effective economic facilitator or as a much-needed social service,’ she said.

Furthermore, she noted that the department has faced myriad challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic that affected the freight system, with long delays in the ‘movement of key bulk minerals, containers and vehicles’.

‘Dysfunctional port terminals resulted in long waiting times for ships wishing to berth, as well as congestion at strategic border crossings and key national highway corridors. Our freight rail system was characterised by maintenance backlogs, cable theft, and skills shortages.

‘Our road systems deteriorated throughout the country and many provinces failed to execute maintenance and new build programmes, resulting in unspent funds being returned to National Treasury,’ she said.

Creecy said the establishment of the National Logistics Crisis Committee (NLCC) was a response to meet the scale of the crisis is critical.

‘The NLCC has three dist
inct objectives: improving operational performance of industry supply chains, including freight rail and ports; implementing reforms to modernise the freight transport system for efficiency and competitiveness, and necessary regulatory change or exemptions to enable efficient procurement and adequate funding for network maintenance,’ she said.

Turning to the work of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), the Minister said despite facing challenges of infrastructure damage and cable theft, the agency continues to reopen passenger rail lines, with 28 of 40 priority lines being fully operational.

‘As of March this year, 256 stations are fully functional in cities across the country.

‘Continuous work is being done to rehabilitate and open more strategic commuter corridors. This will ensure that the public can rely on safe, secure, punctual, and affordable public rail services that will not hinder their participation in the economy,’ she said.

Stabilising the department

Creecy told the committee t
hat a key priority for this financial year is stabilising and improving ‘governance of the department and its entities’, with critical vacancies to be assessed and filled.

‘The efficacy of the department’s entities in fulfilling their stated mandates will also be assessed, and reforms such as addressing adverse audit findings and the timeous payment of outstanding invoices will be implemented.

‘Immediate attention will be given to the critical issue of underspending by both departmental entities and Provincial Departments on finances allocated for road maintenance and road construction. In a country where citizens must daily navigate the hazards of potholes, it is unconscionable that we are returning money to National Treasury,’ she insisted.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Federal Government says it is committed to the successful conduct of the 7th round of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS)/ National Immunisation Coverage Survey (NICS).

Adeyemi Adeniran, Statistician- General of the Federation, said this at the inauguration of the National Steering Committee and National Technical Committee for the 7th round of the MICS and NICS in Abuja on Monday.

Adeniran, Chief Executive Officer, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), said the inauguration, which was in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) was a highlight of the preparatory activities of the two surveys.

He said there had been improvements and innovations to the two surveys since their last round in 2021.

Adeniran said there would be structural changes in the standard survey questionnaire and the expansion of its content in the seventh round of the two surveys.

‘Improved technology will be deployed to capture geographic locations and improved turnaround time to complete the process
of this round.

‘Efficient data quality control to ensure results are robust enough for policy-making, capacity strengthening for our staff and improved online presence after the results are out.

‘There will be challenges in the delivery of these two exercises, however, it comes with immense value for national development planning, policy-making and programme development and government decisions.

‘Therefore, as part of the strategic plan put in place to ensure the success of the 7th round of the MICS and NICS, a governance structure has been constituted to carry out overall coordination of the survey and the entire process.’

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He said the national steering committee would be chaired by the Statistician-General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer, of NBS.

Adeniran said members were drawn from representatives from the National Population Commission, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Ministry of Health and Social We
lfare and Primary Health Care Development Agency.

He said they also include representatives from the Ministries of Education, Water Resources and Sanitation, Environment And Natural Resources, Women Affairs and Social Development, Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Central Bank of Nigeria.

‘Others are the representatives of the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs; National Human Capital Development Secretariat, Office of the Vice-President and State Ministries of Budget and Economic Planning.

‘Others include UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO, UNDP, UNWomen, World Bank, GAFI, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Food and Agriculture Organisation, and World Food Programme.’

The Statistician-General said other critical members who had not been captured would be included in the course of the meetings of the steering committee toward the implementation of the surveys.

‘Members of the steering committee are tasked with providing oversight for the planning, implementation and dissemination of
MICS seven and NICS results. Ensuring the highest standards of accuracy and reliability.

‘They are expected to advise the survey’s technical committee on the process and content of the survey, support them on the day-to-day operation of the survey management and promote ownership of the survey results.

‘This will enable us to utilise the data effectively for policy formulation, advocacy and monitoring our national commitments to the 2030 SDGS and the African Agenda 2060.’

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He said the technical committee comprised technical experts from the organisations represented on the steering committee and other relevant institutions that can assist with topics covered by the MICS/NICS.

Mr Wayne Bacale, Chief, Planning and Monitoring, at UNICEF, said he hoped the 7th round of the MICS would be a tool to help ministries reflect on how the country was progressing.

‘I hope the inauguration will help us know the strategic priorities in the 7th editi
on and to what extent we can use the survey for our decision-making policy on Nigeria.

‘The MICS and NICS is a strong story to tell on how we have progressed as a nation.’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the MICS is a household survey developed by UNICEF to assist countries in filling data gaps for monitoring human development indicators in general and the situation of children and women, in particular.

The NBS implemented MICS which provides data on child mortality, health, nutrition, education, child and social protection, women’s health care and empowerment, water, sanitation and hygiene, while NICS assesses vaccination coverage provided through the health systems.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has committed to working with the taxi industry to ensure that the industry fulfils its role in the transport ecosystem with greater safety.

‘Taxis are part of community life, and as per the National Household Travel Survey, now carry eighty 3% of those who use public transport.

‘During this term, I pledge to work with the industry to ensure it takes its place in a safer, greener transport ecosystem. We will work together to decrease levels of conflict and violence, which pose a significant risk to the sector and to commuters,’ the Minister said when tabling the Budget Vote of the department at Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Transport in Cape Town on Monday.

Creecy said the department will, in the short-term, continue to assist the industry to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘The Taxi Relief Fund, created by the department to mitigate the negative financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the taxi industry, has been extended in the past year to
provide further support to the industry.

‘The Taxi Recapitalisation Strategy continues to deal with the scrapping of unroadworthy vehicles, but also aims to regularise and professionalise the industry by improving safety and incorporating the industry in transport planning processes,’ she said.

Climate resilience

The Minister said as the department continues to ‘stabilise and optimise our existing transport sector’, new risks and opportunities continue to arise.

‘Climate change, as we have seen over the last couple of years, poses a significant risk to our built infrastructure in general and our transport infrastructure in particular. Building the climate resilience of our ports, road and rail networks is both a necessity and a new opportunity for investment, growth, economic inclusion and job creation.

‘Contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in all modes of transport will become a necessity once the new Climate Bill is signed into law. Our transport sector is responsible for approximately one
tenth of our country’s CO2 emissions, and we will have to do our bit to achieve the NDP target of net-zero by 2050,’ she said.

In this regard, the Minister said, implementing the department’s Green Transport Strategy ‘will be a priority’ in this term.

‘In this next decade, transport will also be revolutionised by an acceleration of digital technology. New technologies and new global imperatives will fundamentally alter the skills requirements of those employed in the transport sector, as well as open up new value chains for new forms of economic access, ownership and employment.

‘Such innovations include operational automation and real-time tracking of shipments to assist in port management, digital signalling to modernise the management of our railway systems, the use of artificial intelligence in traffic management, and the introduction of self-driven vehicles and drones for delivery.

‘The department’s Green Transport Strategy includes investing in green energy infrastructure; promoting the uptake of al
ternative fuels such as biogas and green hydrogen; extending the rail network to provide alternative public transport, and developing ‘green procurement guidelines’, which will promote low-carbon technologies,’ she said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

WINDHOEK: The Executive Director for the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp on Sunday shared her memories of the late former Education Minister, Katrina Hanse-Himarwa.

In an interview with Nampa, Steenkamp described the late Hanse-Himarwa as the voice for inclusivity, champion for the marginalised, and a symbol of social justice.

‘She believed that the child should be served to the best of her ability. She valued her team, believed in the expertise and what they could contribute,’ said Steenkamp.

Hanse-Himarwa was a strong leader, she added.

‘Hanse-Himarwa was champion of the education reform, and despite all the constructive criticism, the undue and uncalled for critique, she was convinced in her passion and mission for the ministry,’ Steenkamp recalled.

The ED further voiced her gratitude for having had Hanse-Himarwa as leader: ‘She believed in me, I will always treasure our memories. She always believed we must do what is right, fair, and just.’

Hanse-Himarwa who served as Educa
tion Minister from 2015 to 2019, died on Sunday at the age of 57 after a long battle with cancer.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS), Edward Kieswetter, is expected to hold a media briefing to provide an update on the Tax Filing Season 2024.

The briefing is expected to be held on Tuesday, 16 July.

‘Today marks the continuation of the Tax Filing Season 2024 for provisional and non-provisional taxpayers, who were not selected for Auto Assessments (AA), which commenced on 1 July 2024.

‘The AA accommodated approximately 4.8 million taxpayers this year, compared to about 3.8 million taxpayers last year. SARS has also increased the number of digital platforms available to taxpayers to interact with SARS to facilitate a smooth and seamless filing season,’ SARS said in a statement.

SARS said it has made progress thus far.

‘The Commissioner has expressed his enthusiasm at it being the fourth year of SARS’s commitment to its five-year strategic plan, initiated in 2020, and is proud to acknowledge the progress the organisation has made thus far.

‘Part of SARS’s strategic plan is to cultiv
ate a culture of voluntary tax compliance, underpinned by nine strategic objectives that guides the work we do,’ SARS said.

Source: South African Government News Agency