Proposed PIB 2020 Model Will Trigger Tensions – Oil Communities Warn

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February 2, 2021

Following a Two day public hearing by the Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Oil communities in Gbaramatu and Egbema Kingdoms, Delta State, have rejected the recommended governance model under the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, 2020 for host communities’ development where oil companies would turn into overlords over oil producing communities, warning it would generate unnecessary anxieties in Niger Delta.

The communities under the Egbema and Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation, EGCDF, stated this in a memorandum to the Joint Committee on Petroleum Downstream Sector, Petroleum Upstream and Gas on PIB 2020 by the chairman, Jude Ukori.

”Furthermore, the oil companies would take over and determine the leadership structure of their host communities, including appointing people from outside the communities to manage host community affairs. “This is totally wrong, obnoxious and should be rejected by members of the House of Representatives.

Day 2 of the public hearing started with the representative of the Rivers State Government. The second set of presentations was given by the Host Community Association: as the oil community listed the following;

Host communities as a critical stakeholder should be granted a 10% equity position in all licenses – 5% from the government and 5% from investors;
Gas flaring fees and penalties should be transferred to the host communities.
The Bill should ensure that there is host community participation in environmental issues;
Ensure that the principles of sustainable development is enshrined in the Bill;
Establish a national body called Oil and Gas Producing Development Commission, which should be replicated at the States and Local Government levels;
25% of Royalties from Upstream production should go to the Host Communities;

Oil communities further concluded that these provisions of the bill (existing government policy and the single regulator model would not do the Nigerian oil and gas industry any good other than create needless and avoidable agitations in the oil producing communities.

South Africa receives first batch of Covid-19 vaccine

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Zoe Maven

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February 2, 2021

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South Africa on Monday received the first batch of Covid-19 vaccines that are expected to help the country’s efforts to stem the virus.

The 1 million AstraZeneca vaccine doses produced by the Serum Institute of India are expected to be used to inoculate frontline healthcare workers, starting mid-February.

President Cyril Rampahosa inspected the shipment before trucks hauled it away to the laboratories of the country’s medicines regulator where the vaccines will undergo further efficacy tests before being deployed.

The government intends to inoculate 40 million people, representing 67% of the country’s population of 60 million, by the end of the year.

South Africa is reportedly the hardest-hit African country by the COVID-19 pandemic, having reported 1,453,761 infections with 44,164 deaths.

The figures represent 41.36 percent of the continent’s caseload and 49.63 percent of its fatalities.

Ugandan Opposition Leader Files Election Petition Contesting Museveni Win

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Zoe Maven

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February 2, 2021

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Lawyers for Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine have filed a challenge in the Supreme Court on Monday against President Yoweri Museveni’s victory in last month’s election, claiming the poll was rigged.

The 38-year-old singer-turned-lawmaker came a distant second behind veteran leader Museveni in the January 14 vote that followed some of Uganda’s worst pre-election bloodshed in years.

Medard Sseggona, one of Wine’s lawyers, said “any election Museveni participates in can never be a peaceful election, can never be a free and fair election”.

Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, secured about 35 percent and slammed the vote as a sham.

Under the constitution, Wine had 15 days from the declaration of results by the electoral commission to challenge the outcome and the Supreme Court must now rule on the petition within 45 days.

By law, Wine must prove to the court that any alleged irregularities affected the outcome of the election “to a substantial manner” — a much higher burden of proof than in civil cases.

Museveni, a 76-year-old former rebel leader who has ruled since 1986, won a sixth term with about 59 percent of the vote.

Professionals raise concerns over medical quackery

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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February 2, 2021

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The Zamfara state chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association has condemned the increase of proliferation of quack medical practitioners in the state. The association described the situation as alarming which needs proactive action through joint efforts of both the private and public sector to curb the menace and prevent more loss of lives.

This was made known by the Vice Chairman of the association in the state, Dr. Sanusi Bello, in an interview with newsmen Saturday. He described the high level of patronage of services rendered by the quack medical staff and called for urgent measures. He called on the state ministry for health to be apt and to strengthen its machinery in order to ensure that all the unprofessional persons parading themselves as medical personnel were arrested and brought to book.

Medical professionals, have over the years advised and encourage the general public to always seek medical services from certified and qualified health professionals to avoid being victims of quack health workers.

However, unless concerted efforts are taken by all stake holders, especially the government, in tackling the health care problems in Nigeria, the decay in the system will continue and medical quackery will continue to thrive.

Rwanda Expresses Displeasure At UK Travel Ban

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Zoe Maven

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February 2, 2021

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Rwanda has expressed displeasure with the United Kingdom after London banned travelers from the east African country, citing the need to stop the spread of mutant strains of Covid-19.

UK’s transport minister earlier announced that his country had added Rwanda, Burundi, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to its coronavirus travel ban list with effect from Friday, January 29.

But in its statement pushing back against the ban, Kigali argued that its overall response to Covid-19 including testing, surveillance, contact tracing, containment, treatment and reporting had been open and consistent.

Authorities recently placed the capital Kigali under a 15-day lockdown after a surge in cases.

Kigali’s national carrier, RwandAir has been operating flights to London Heathrow three times a week since last October.

Australian think tank Lowy Institute last week ranked Rwanda first in Africa and sixth globally in managing the Covid-19 pandemic.

The study ranked a total of 98 countries globally gauging their level in terms of average performance in managing the pandemic within 36 weeks when they recorded their 100th coronavirus case.

South African Rhino Poaching Drops By 33% Due To Pandemic Restrictions

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Precious Obazee

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February 2, 2021

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According to official sources on Monday, the number of rhinos killed in South Africa in 2020 has fallen by 33%, a sharp drop in poaching due in part to restrictions on movement to contain Covid-19 pandemic.

Environment Minister Barbara Creecy said in a statement that during the COVID hard lockdown period there was significant reduction in poacher incursions into the Kruger National Park.

A slight increase in poaching was recorded in December 2020 when the government lifted up some restrictions.

Creecy said a significant spike in poaching was experienced towards the end of 2020, especially during December.

According to official government figures, at least 394 rhinos were hunted down in 2020, and 594 in 2019.

The Kruger National Park that borders Mozambique had the highest number of rhinos killed at 245.

Environment Minister Barbara Creecy said in a statement that during the COVID hard lockdown period there was significant reduction in poacher incursions into the Kruger National Park.

A slight increase in poaching was recorded in December 2020 when the government lifted up some restrictions.

Creecy said a significant spike in poaching was experienced towards the end of 2020, especially during December.

According to official government figures, at least 394 rhinos were hunted down in 2020, and 594 in 2019.

The Kruger National Park that borders Mozambique had the highest number of rhinos killed at 245.

Keystone Xl Projects: Reactions Trail U.S Move On Critical Oil Exports For Canada – Report

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Elizabeth Williams

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February 2, 2021

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It All Started From The Paris Agreement; A Deal Legally Binding International Treaty On Climate Change. It Was Adopted By 196 Parties In Paris, On December, 12, 2015 And Entered Into Force On November 4, 2016.

According To UN Climate Change Website Its Goal, Is To Limit Global Warming To Well Below 2, Preferably To 1.5 Degrees Celsius, Compared To Pre-Industrial Levels.

To Achieve This Long-Term Temperature Goal, Countries Aim To Reach Global Peaking Of Greenhouse Gas Emissions As Soon As Possible To Achieve A Climate Neutral World By Mid-Century.

On The First Day Of Joe Biden As America’s 46th President, The US President Signs His First Official Documents Next To Vice President Kamala Harris After Both Were Officially Sworn Into Office At The US Capitol One Of Which Is Revoking Permit Of Keystone Xl Pipeline Project.

Meanwhile Trans-Canada TC Energy Had Earlier Halted Keystone Xl Pipeline Project Suspending Work In Anticipation.

The 1,700-Mile Pipeline Would Carry Roughly 800,000 Barrels Of Oil A Day From Alberta To The Texas Gulf Coast, Passing Through Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas And Oklahoma.

First Proposed In 2008, The Pipeline Has Become Emblematic Of The Tensions Between Economic Development And Curbing The Fossil Fuel Emissions.

The Obama Administration Rejected It, But President Donald Trump Revived It And Has Been A Strong Supporter.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Raised Keystone Xl As A Top Priority When He Spoke With Biden In A Phone Call In November 2020. The Project Is Meant To Expand Critical Oil Exports For Canada, Which Has The Third-Largest Oil Reserves In The World. Trudeau Says He’s “Disappointed” With Biden’s Decision To Block Keystone Xl Pipeline Project

Circumstances Surrounding The Keystone Xl Project Has Forced The Energy Firm To Present A New Vision For — An Infrastructure Project That Will Serve As The Gold Standard For Sustainable Development, While Delivering The Energy North Americans Need, Now And In The Future, In A Socially Responsible Manner And To The Highest Safety And Environmental Standards, According To Its Website.

However, Canada-U.S. Trade War won’t Help Oil Sector, Natural Resources Minister Says During Keystone Xl Debate.

With Prospects Of Sanctions which is Expected To Follow The Move By The United States, Canadian Minister Rebuffs Calls To Impose Sanctions Over Keystone Xl Cancellation But Insists, Some Government Officials And Keystone Workers Inaction And Posing As Anti-Environmentalist Is Partly Responsible For Biden’s Action.

With Over One Hundred Billion Dollar Cross Border Trade with The United States, Canada Is U.S Biggest Energy Export Destination. And Supports Thousands Of Jobs In Both Sides Of The Border.

Workers Are Upset And React That The Project Is Dead After Biden Revokes Permit.

While, Many Politicians And Residents In The Region Support The Pipeline, Because It Will Allow Them To Ship Shale Oil Being Extracted, Environmentalists, As Well As Some Ranchers And Other Landowners Along The Proposed Route Oppose The Project. They Argue It Will Make It Harder For The U.S To Shift Away From Fossil Fuels.

Americans, On The Whole, Support The Pipeline. A Pew Research Center Poll Released Last Spring Found 66 Percent Of Americans Back The Project, As Opposed To 23 Percent Who Oppose It.

Israel Elections: Poll shows Netanyahu wins 61-seat coalition for first time

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Koko Lawrence

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February 2, 2021

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Israel’s right-wing bloc could succeed in garnering 61 seats, a poll by 103FM showed for the first time since elections were called. However, that is only if Naftali Bennett’s Yamina Party agrees to sit with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

If the upcoming Knesset elections were held today, the Likud Party would get 32 seats, New Hope would get 14 seats, Yamina would get 13 seats, United Torah Judaism and Shas would each get eight seats.

This would give Netanyahu 61 seats, a slim parliamentary majority. If Sa’ar decides to join as well, the bloc would reach 75 seats.

Although New Hope leader Gideon Sa’ar has declared that he would not sit with Netanyahu, Bennett has not. Bennett did sit in the opposition against Netanyahu in the outgoing Knesset and has called to replace the government but has refrained from vowing not to sit under him in a future coalition.

On the other side, Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid would get 19 seats, giving him the ability to form a coalition with Bennett, Sa’ar, Meretz (4 seats), Yisrael Beytenu (7 seats), Labor (5 seats). This coalition would give Lapid 62 seats in the Knesset.

According to the poll, the Joint List would get 10 seats but would not be needed for a coalition government.

Defense Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz’s Blue and White Party, MK Betzalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionist Party (formerly the National Union), the Otzma Yehudit party, Ron Huldai’s Israelis Party and Yaron Zelekha’s Economy Party would not succeed in crossing the electoral threshold.

If, however, the Religious Zionist Party were to join with Otzma Yehudit and the Noam Party, the list would earn five seats and the Likud, Yesh Atid, Yamina and New Hope would each lose a seat, according to the poll.

Additionally, if Labor and the Israelis Party were to join together, the two would earn a total of seven seats and Lapid and Sa’ar would each lose a seat.

Trump’s in-law Jared Kushner nominated for Nobel Peace Prize for brokering Israel peace deals

By

Koko Lawrence

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February 2, 2021

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Trump’s son in-law, Jared Kushner has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize after brokering deals between Israel and Arab states – Bahrain, Egypt, UAE, and Palestine.

Alan Dershowitz, an ally of Trump who also served on Trump’s defense team for his first impeachment trial, nominated Jared Kushner, lauding him for forging the so-called Abraham Accords that normalized relations between Israel and four longtime enemies. He also nominated Avi Berkowitz, a Kushner aide.

“The Nobel Peace Prize is not for popularity. Nor is it an assessment of what the international community may think of those who helped bring about peace,” Dersh wrote in his nomination letter.

Although the Nobel Prizes for the arts and sciences including Physics, Chemistry, Physiology, Medicine, and Literature are awarded in Stockholm, Sweden, the Noble Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo, Norway.

Kushner said in a statement on Monday, that he was honored to get the nomination.

The 2020 agreements that established diplomatic ties between the Jewish state and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco stand as one of Trump’s foreign policy successes. They also mark a rare breakthrough in Middle East peacemaking after 25 years of deadlock.

New Retirement Age For Teacher Sparks Fresh Debate

By

Precious Obazee

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February 2, 2021

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The move by the Federal Government to rebrand the teaching profession and attract best brains through the extension of retirement age and special allowances is currently causing ripples among education managers and stakeholders.

While some educationists applauded the government’s decision, describing it as the way to go in attracting best brains to the profession, others believed the policy may worsen the already bad situation in the sub-sector.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) had last Wednesday approved the Harmonized Retirement Age for Teachers Bill, 2021 which seeks to give legal backing to new measures by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to enhance teaching profession in the country.

The retirement age bill, which has been forwarded to the National Assembly for consideration and approval, seeks to move teachers retirement age from 60 to 65 years, while the years of service will also move from 35 to 40.

But educationists are divided in their views on the development. An administrator, Emma Jimo and National President, Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) Kazeem Labaika said this is not what the country or teaching profession needs at this point in time.

They pointed out that at 65, teachers could be consulting for schools without necessarily been in active service. They argued that the policy would only be recycling certain citizens, closing doors against many.

While some educationists applauded the government’s decision, describing it as the way to go in attracting best brains to the profession, others believed the policy may worsen the already bad situation in the sub-sector.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) had last Wednesday approved the Harmonized Retirement Age for Teachers Bill, 2021 which seeks to give legal backing to new measures by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to enhance teaching profession in the country.

The retirement age bill, which has been forwarded to the National Assembly for consideration and approval, seeks to move teachers retirement age from 60 to 65 years, while the years of service will also move from 35 to 40.

But educationists are divided in their views on the development. An administrator, Emma Jimo and National President, Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) Kazeem Labaika said this is not what the country or teaching profession needs at this point in time.

They pointed out that at 65, teachers could be consulting for schools without necessarily been in active service. They argued that the policy would only be recycling certain citizens, closing doors against many.