Category: General

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike said on Monday, that the ministry will deliver the Millennium Tower project in the next two years.

Wike stated this in Abuja after a closed-door meeting with contractors handling different projects in the FCT.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Millennium Tower at Central Area, Abuja, is a multifunctional edifice with facilities for cultural exposition, tourism, socialisation, recreation, hospitality, and commercial activities.

The project is being handled by Salini Construction Nigeria Limited but was abandoned due to lack of funds.

He said that the tower was a very important project that would change the landscape of Abuja city.

“It is a very very ambitious project, but again if we are talking of Abuja being one of the best cities in the world, then we must have such a facility.

“I can tell you it is not easy to go into that project, but we have decided that whatever it takes, it is going to be one of the legacy projects for President Bola Tinubu.

“In fact, we are looking at the next two years, if the way we are going to structure our payment is agreeable with the contractor,” Wike said.

NAN reports that the project, conceived in 2005 had reached 40 per cent completion, and is expected to, upon completion, self-finance itself from revenues generated from all the commercial activities in the complex.

The scope of the project comprises a cultural centre with four museums, an expansive arcade consisting of 40,000m2 platform for hosting national and other events.

It also consists of a five-star hotel with 55 luxury rooms and nine suites for about 130 persons, offices, passive and active recreational facilities, 1200 capacity auditorium, conference rooms,

Others are exhibition halls, shops, a sport centre with an indoor pool, gyms, fitness, squash courts and a two-level 1,200 capacity basement car park.

The millennium tower itself is a 170-meter-tall structure accommodating a revolving panoramic restaurant for more than 130 diners.

The minister added that a careful analysis of all the awarded contracts with the contractors and his team have revealed that most of the projects were abandoned for lack of funds.

“The Minister of State, myself, the permanent secretary, and directors have concluded that it is not possible to carry on with the entire projects in the FCT.

“Therefore, we agreed to take them in order of priority. We have tried to work out most of the projects being handled by Julius Berger and agreed to see that these projects are fully completed,” he said.

Wike added that the Villa Roundabout being handled by China Geo-engineering Corporation (CGC) Nigeria Limited, would be completed in the next six to eight months.

He equally said that the ministry would ensure the completion of the projects being handled by Cetraco Nigeria Ltd, and also put a facelift on Garki, Wuse and part of Maitama in the next one week.

He said that the contractors would be mobilised immediately, adding that Asokoro would equally have a facelift in no distant time.

On the Abuja light rail rehabilitation project, the minister said that an agreement has been concluded with CCECC Nigeria Limited to give them their money in the next two days so they can go to work.

“We are also discussing with the company on the operation cost, because it will not be good to rehabilitate and then you cannot operate.

“We have told them that on Thursday, we are going to meet to talk about the operation cost,” he said.

Wike pointed out that part of the problems of the projects was because they were not being funded by the national budget.

He said that in view of the funding challenge, the ministry would pick some projects that could be completed within a specific period and then decide on what to do again in the following year. (NAN)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

A 39-year-old man allegedly stole seven goats worth N.dollars 7 000 from his employer at Okandombo village in the Oshikoto Region.

According to a crime report issued by Namibian Police Force spokesperson for the Oshikoto Region, Inspector Ellen Nehale, the incident is suspected to have occurred sometime between December 2022 and April 2023.

Nehale said the suspect stole seven goats from his employer where he was employed as a domestic worker.

“The suspect started taking goats one by one from the complainant’s house where he was employed, to Onamavo village in Omuntele Constituency,” she said.

Nehale said the suspect was arrested at Okaluwa village in Omuntele, while trying to sell one goat around April 2023.

“Six goats were recovered and the investigation continues,” Nehale reported.

The suspect will appear before the magistrate’s court at Ondangwa on 29 August 2023.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economics and Public Administration, Natangwe Ithete said it is important that skills are transferred to locals to empower them with knowledge and expertise.

Ithete made these remarks in Keetmanshoop on Monday in response to TransNamib grievances, which include that the company continues to acquire people from elsewhere but does not ensure that skills transfer takes place.

“It is illegal when skills are not transferred to the locals. When any foreigner or anybody that comes from elsewhere knows a certain job, that particular person must also be attached with an understudy and if that is happening here at TransNamib then the company is contravening the Affirmative Action Act,” said Ithete.

He added that the employees should understand that TransNamib has been under-funded in the past, adding: “There is not enough money pumped into TransNamib, we are aware of that and once Government pumps more money, then things will be better, but with the small resources that we have let us all treat one another in a human manner.”

Byron Engelbrecht who has been a train driver for nearly 19 years, said: “I am worried about the security of my job, I come to work once a week or so to drive that one locomotive, the other locomotives are driven by drivers from South Africa, we want those people to take us under their wings and teach us how to operate the locomotives, but that does not happen.”

TransNamib Keetmanshoop alternate shop steward, Johannes Hipulenga said TransNamib should address the issue of employees working on two different paying systems, noting that it sends out a picture that the employees are working for two different companies.

“Some of us are paid according to the performance management system while others are under the 13th cheque system. We also do not have any protective gear,” he stressed.

||Kharas Governor, Aletha Frederick said it is important that TransNamib addresses employees’ grievances while it is in the process of improving its infrastructure.

“Even if we bring the new infrastructure, new and fast technologies but the people that have to utilise the infrastructure which are the employees are not happy, then it’s a waste of resources, time and energy,” she added.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The Marketing, Advertising and Communication (MAC) Charter Council will host a Women’s Day event, an inspiring and empowering gathering dedicated to celebrating the achievements and contributions of women in the MAC Sector. The event is set to take place on 01 September 2023 at Inanda Polo Club in Sandton, Johannesburg under the theme, “Driving transformation and empowerment: Advancing women in the MAC sector”.

In the continuous spirit of the Women’s Month celebration, the event will feature insightful panel discussions and keynote speakers such as the Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nomasonto Motaung and MAC B-BBEE Charter Council members. Attendees will be leaders and advocates of transformation and gender equity in the MAC sector such as the Commission for Gender Equality and the B-BBEE Commission as well as Journalism and Integrated Marketing and Communications students from Tshwane University of Technology representing the youth sector.

The MAC Charter Council believes that through strategic initiatives and collaborative efforts, it can stimulate valuable insight on discussions on women’s leadership within the sector. The MAC Charter Council is committed to positive change and fostering an environment that promotes gender equality, diversity and leadership within the MAC sector.

The panel discussants will also cover procurement challenges facing MAC women-owned business in the sector and possible interventions on broadening economic opportunities which are pivotal to the implementation of the MAC Charter.

Notes for the editor:

The MAC Charter Council was launched on 25 March 2022 and it is tasked with monitoring transformation of the sector by facilitating the implementation of the B-BBEE sector code. It has representatives from government, the regulators, MAC sector, women, and youth and organised labour, who are tasked to measure transformation progress made by the MAC sector.

The appointment of the MAC Charter Council is directed towards ensuring that transformation in the sector is promoted, monitored and reported on annually in line with the provisions of the Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment Act of 2003, as amended.

The MAC Charter Council is also responsible for providing guidance to the MAC Sector on matters relating to empowerment and B-BBEE which will be geared at achieving transformation including the implementation of preferential procurement specifically empowering 30% black women-owned businesses in the MAC sector.

Source: Government of South Africa

Through economic reforms implemented through Operation Vulindlela, President Cyril Ramaphosa says government is steadily laying the foundation for a revival of economic growth.

In his weekly newsletter, the President noted the release of a progress report, which highlights a number of key milestones that have been reached during the past quarter.

“Since Operation Vulindlela was established, we have built significant momentum in economic reforms to create growth and jobs.

“Through these reforms we are steadily laying the foundation for a revival of economic growth. By restructuring our network, industries like energy, telecommunications, ports and rail, we are opening the space for investment and a renewal of our nation’s infrastructure,” the President said.

The President highlighted that the first of the reform milestones was the digital migration process which government implemented by switching off analogue transmission for all frequencies above 694 MHz on 31 July 2023.

“This marks a significant step in migration from analogue to digital signal. This means that radio frequencies that were being used for television broadcasting can now be used for mobile telecommunications, which will make network communications more accessible and increase the speed and reduce the cost of data. The implementation of this reform will bring new investment in the telecommunications sector,” he said.

President Ramaphosa told citizens that work is underway to implement necessary reforms in the logistics sector to address the challenges that have held back the growth of South African exports.

He highlighted that the lack of investment and the increased cost of doing business have added to the many challenges that need to be addressed.

Another key milestone was reached with the selection of an international terminal operator to partner with Transnet at the Durban Pier 2 container terminal. This terminal handles close to half of South Africa’s port traffic.

“This partnership will increase investment for upgrading equipment and expanding terminal capacity. A key aspect of this partnership is that port infrastructure will remain state-owned and all jobs will be protected,” he said.

The President further highlighted that two critical pieces of legislation were tabled in Parliament this month, that will advance economic reform.

The Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill will support the restructuring of Eskom into three separate companies owned and controlled by Eskom Holdings, including an independent grid operator.

“Through this bill we will introduce competition in electricity generation, enabling a number of independent generators, alongside Eskom, to produce electricity to meet our country’s demand. This reform will fundamentally transform, modernise and improve South Africa’s energy sector to ensure energy security into the future.

“Meanwhile, the reforms we have implemented through the Energy Action Plan have unlocked new investment in renewable energy sources, both to end load shedding and to use our unique wind and solar resources to power economic growth,” he said.

One of key reforms that government has prioritised is in the water sector. Government has introduced the South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Bill to establish a dedicated national water agency to design, plan and finance water resource infrastructure.

This agency will enable significantly greater investment in bulk water infrastructure to guarantee water security in the years and decades to come, while creating jobs and unlocking new agricultural potential.

“We are implementing a range of other reforms to unlock economic growth, from creating an enabling regulatory environment for hemp and cannabis production to eradicating the backlog of title deeds for subsidised housing,” he said.

Despite difficult global conditions, the President said investors continue to see value in the South African economy and the benefit of the reform agenda government is pursuing.

He added that he is pleased that the BRICS Business Forum held last week was attended by 1 500 investors and business people from all five member countries.

The President said the Summit was able to showcase the potential of South Africa and the African continent as the next frontiers of productivity and growth.

“Many of the participants remarked on the enormous potential of our economic reform agenda to drive growth in the green economy, the digital economy and other key sectors.

“In all of the work that we do, our ultimate goal is the same: to build an inclusive, fast-growing and dynamic economy and thereby create a better life for all South Africans,” he said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has announced the appointment of an industry advisory panel in the digital transformation space.

“This signifies the organisation’s efforts to align with industry-specific priorities in the quest to achieve digitalisation for greater societal and industrial impact.

“Utilising its robust science, engineering and technology capabilities, the organisation seeks to establish a balance between scientific and industrial development,” the organisation said on Monday.

Meanwhile, CSIR believes that a greater understanding of industry needs is vital to achieving these strategic objectives.

The Executive Cluster Manager of CSIR NextGen Enterprises and Institutions, Dr Lulama Wakaba, explained the purpose of the industry advisory panel, which is to provide advice on strategic issues to the cluster’s leadership and researchers in the digitalisation domain.

“It is guided by the CSIR’s mandate of contributing to improving the quality of life of the people of South Africa through directed multidisciplinary research and technological innovation. All clusters of the CSIR have important contributions to make to this mandate,” Wakaba added.

He also noted that the panel members bring a wealth of experience, which will be invaluable in gaining insight into market operations.

The panel comprises 12 members and Mamello Selamolela, who has been appointed Chairperson to lead the team.

The other members include Bronwyn Williams, Nomso Kana, Dawood Patel, Paul Mashegoane, Envir Fraser, Wakaba, Dr Ntsibane Ntlatlapa and Anne Gabathuse.

Group Executive for CSIR Smart Society, Dr Sandile Malinga, said he was looking forward to innovative insights and approaches based on the panel’s extensive experience and exposure.

“The newly established industry advisory panel not only strengthens the CSIR’s commitment to achieving strategic objectives but also underscores its dedication towards fostering industrial development and digital transformation within government, public institutions and the industry at large.”

The panel’s view, according to CSIR, is that the cluster’s impact ought to reflect the important pillars of society understanding the core of national societal needs and ensuring that the response harnesses digitalisation for the benefit of South Africa.

The CSIR, an entity of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, is one of the leading scientific and technology research, development and implementation organisations in Africa.

CSIR undertakes directed and multidisciplinary research and technological innovation, as well as industrial and scientific development to improve the quality of life of all South Africans.

Source: South African Government News Agency