The first direct passenger flight from Qatar to Bahrain in six years touched down in Manana on Thursday.
Qatar Airways flight number QR1108 landed at Bahrain International Airport at just after 9pm on Thursday.
Two hours later, the return service marked the first direct flight from Bahrain to Qatar, to land at Hamad International Airport in Doha.
The flights mark the resumption of direct air travel between Doha and Bahrain after both countries’ state carriers agreed to resume flights.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt cut ties with Qatar in 2017, accusing the country of supporting terrorism and interfering in the affairs of regional states, which Doha denied. Bahrain is the last of the nations to resume relations with Qatar following the AlUla Agreement in January 2021.
Qatar Airways now flies daily from Doha to Bahrain. Flights depart Qatar at 8pm, with a scheduled landing in Bahrain around 50 minutes later. Return services leave Bahrain at 10.20pm, with an estimated arrival time of 11.15pm in Doha.
From June 15, the national airline of Qatar will increase its services between the two destinations to three flights per day.
Gulf Air, the national airline of Bahrain, has also restarted flights between the destinations.
It is flying daily again to Doha, a route it first began flying in 1950.
From June 15, Gulf Air will also increase flights between the Gulf nations to three per day with Doha-bound services departing from Manama at 9.30am, 4.20pm and 8.35pm.
The resumption of flights between the destinations came after an agreement was reached earlier this year between the civil aviation authorities in Qatar and Bahrain.
Since direct flights last operated between the countries in 2017, both have developed their tourist offerings.
In Bahrain, the country has a brand new passenger terminal at its international airport and several new luxury hotels, including the Address Beach Resort Bahrain, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay and Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort & Spa.
US-based destination marketing company Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau is exploring partnerships in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East to create and develop tourist-friendly locations.
Speaking in Riyadh, Julie Wagner, CEO of BHCVB, said: “We are here to see all the new developments in Riyadh, as Saudi Arabia has been making a lot of inroads in creating a tourism-friendly destination.”
Wagner has found many new luxury developments in the capital modeled on opulent projects developed in Beverly Hills, prompting her to say: “We came here because people understand what’s going on in Beverly Hills, and the region certainly knows who we are.”
A byword for elegance and glamor, Beverly Hills has long been the destination for discerning travelers from the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia.
Wagner is also bullish on luxury travel in the Kingdom and its ongoing cultural and economic transformation.
“The ability to customize luxury is very important because many cultures have different lifestyles. So, you must focus on each of their lifestyles every step of the way and create experiences that are relevant to them,” she added.
But she stressed the most crucial part of destination marketing is respecting the host country’s culture.
“There must be a fine line when travelers come to a destination. For instance, when I come to visit Riyadh, I have to honor the things here, and that’s part of why I like to come here because there are so many things that are very different from where I am, and I want to experience those things and be a part of that,” she said.
Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic rocket plane is back in action after a gap of almost two years.
The Unity vehicle, with two pilots and four passengers aboard, climbed high over the New Mexico desert to the edge of space – before gliding back down.
It was billed as the plane’s final test outing before entering commercial service in June.
Galactic has sold over 800 tickets to individuals who want to ride more than 80km (260,000ft) above Earth.
The company expects to start working through this passenger list with Unity flights initially occurring at the rate of one a month. New rocket planes are being designed for service in 2026 that should each be capable of increasing the cadence to one a week.
Thursday’s mission came just a couple of days after winning bids were announced to buy the assets in Sir Richard’s other space firm, Virgin Orbit, which filed papers with a bankruptcy court in April.
This business failed following an unsuccessful attempt to launch satellites to space from the UK in January.
Highland Council is exploring the potential of generating and storing its own power.
The local authority believes solar and battery storage could bring widespread benefits to communities, and help it achieve climate change targets.
Benefits also include the creation of work for local suppliers.
But in a report to councillors meeting next week, officials said developing and managing renewables projects would require major investment.
A council workshop held last month discussed the possibility of the local authority developing its own renewable projects, including wind, geothermal and tidal.
The report to next Wednesday’s redesign board meeting has recommended councillors agree to further work on solar and the use of large lithium-ion batteries to store energy from renewable schemes for when it was needed.
Highland Council already has a number of other renewable and low-carbon projects.
They include Hydro Ness, which generates electricity from the River Ness at Inverness using an Archimedes Screw.
It also has plans for an air source heat pump system to warm Inverness Castle and neighbouring properties.
The local authority had originally hoped to do this by capturing heat from waste water flowing through a nearby sewer.
But was found that the closest sewer does not to have sufficient flow rates to make the system work.
Highland Council is also piloting the use of electric cargo bikes in some of its staff’s work.
Kent and Sussex beachgoers have been warned by animal welfare experts to not approach seals on the beach and in water.
Wildlife organisations have expressed concerns that curious seaside visitors may disturb seals by encroaching on their space or trying to take selfies with them.
Repeated disturbances can cause fatal injuries to seals.
Paddleboarders also pose a risk as they can get up close to a seal in the sea very quietly.
“Seals can be curious animals, but are also easily frightened,” said Nina Jones, a protected area warden for Kent Wildlife Trust.
The mammals haul themselves onto rocks or beaches to rest and digest their food, or to look after pups.
This means seals are at their most vulnerable when on land.
“It is important not to disturb them so that they can get the rest they need without being stressed by people or dogs, which could be perceived as a threat,” said Charlotte Owens from Sussex Wildlife Trust.
A seal was spotted on Brighton Beach several times last month.
Experts say if a seal resting on the beach feels threatened, it may get back into the sea, potentially causing it injuries such as gashes on its belly from sharp rocks.
“Paddlers can help seals by paddling slowly and steadily, not stopping at a seal site, or getting too close,” said Ms Jones.
She advised never to feed or follow them, or to take a selfie with a seal.
In his 8 years of administration, President Buhari had some big and most ambitious federal infrastructure programme since Nigeria’s Independence.
From railway project to agriculture to construction of dams, it seemed to be a smooth sail for the administration, completing projects and starting new ones.
The Lagos-Ibadan double-track line has been under construction by CCECC since March 2017 and was inaugurated at the new Lagos Central Station on June 10, 2021.
It is 157 km long and passes through Abeokuta. It is the first double-track standard gauge line in West Africa.
A Lagos-Ibadan journey takes two and a half hours, half as long as the equivalent car journey. All compartments (standard class, business class and first class) are air-conditioned and have three overhead screens.
The window seats are equipped with power outlets and USB charging stations.
Criticisms include the fact that tickets are not available online and only for cash payment, and that there are only three trips a day in each direction. There is praise for the punctuality and cleanliness of the trains.
The Cape Gauge tracks, which continue to exist, are to be shared by the “Red Line” of the Lagos Light Rail, which is currently under construction.
RAIL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
156km Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge Rail completed and commissioned, within a Nigerian-record-time of 4 years (2017 to 2021).
8.72km extension to Lagos-Ibadan Rail Line, to Lagos Port Complex, completed in 2021.
186km Abuja-Kaduna Standard Gauge Rail Line, completed and commissioned in 2016.
327km Itakpe-Warri Standard Gauge Rail completed and commissioned in 2020, 33 years after construction began.
As part of this project, there was the full rehabilitation of the Railway Village, Agbor, as well as construction of a Railway Ancillary Facilities Yard, also in Agbor. In 2021 the Line commenced commercial freight haulage, transporting pipelines for the AKK Gas Pipeline project.
Commencement of the E-Ticketing concession process for the Lagos-Ibadan and Warri-Itakpe Standard Gauge Rail Lines. The scope of the project is to Design, Finance, Build, Operate and Manage Secure Ticketing Solution systems (Hardware and Software) for the two lines.
Completion of the E-Ticketing concession process on Abuja-Kaduna Route in 2021, which increased the monthly generated revenue from less than N200 Million to N400 Million.
Abuja Light Rail completed in 2018.
Construction has commenced on Kaduna-Kano Standard Gauge Rail Line, following the ground-breaking by President Buhari in July 2021.
Ground-breaking done by President Buhari for construction of 284km Kano-Maradi Standard Gauge Rail (with branch line to Dutse), preliminary works started 2021.
Ground-breaking done by President Buhari for complete revamp of Port Harcourt–Maiduguri Narrow Gauge Rail. Work has kicked off in 2022.
377 Wagons, 64 Coaches, and 21 Locomotives (including DMUs) purchased for the Standard Gauge network, between 2016 and 2021.
The achievements was marred by insecurity.
On 28 March 2022, an Abuja–Kaduna train was attacked in Katari, Kaduna State, Nigeria. In response, the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) briefly halted operations along the route.
January 8, 2023, Eyewitnesses said kidnappers that attacked a sub-station of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC in Igueben, south-south Edo State and abducted over 30 passengers and staff, because the train station was not protected by security men.
This is hoping that the incoming administration will put up security measures to ensure that the railways are safe for commuters.
Rice Mill Project
Let’s talk about Rice Revolution, Nigeria is the largest producer of rice in Africa, producing about 8,435,000 tonnes annually, followed by Egypt, Madagascar, Tanzania and Mali according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.
In line with the estimated installed infrastructure of the facility, the production capacity of the rice mill in Imota, Ikorodu, lagos, south-west Nigeria will set it among the largest in the world, and the largest in sub-Saharan Africa.
So on January 23, 2023, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the two million metric tonnes per hour Lagos Rice Mill in Imota, Lagos State, Nigeria’s south west.
Governor of lagos state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while speaking on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, noted that the President is happy about the project, adding that the Lagos Rice Mill is part of the State Government’s resolve to complement the Federal Government ‘s rice revolution.
He further informed that the Rice Mill which is the largest in Africa and third largest in the world will generate about 250,000 direct and indirect jobs for Lagosians which will in turn contribute immensely to the economy of the immediate community playing host to the Rice Mill, Lagos State, Nigeria and Africa in general.
Refurbishment of Dams
Let’s look at dams refurbishment, The Federal Government says it had improved water supply in the country through the rehabilitation of river basins.
It also stated that it had completed the rehabilitation of dams across 22 states, while it continued to work on several dam projects.
This was contained in a 60-page report made available to LN247.
The report titled, ‘President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration scorecard in the water sector (2015-2023)’, was presented by the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu in December 2022.
While stating that the ministry inherited 116 water supply and hydropower irrigation projects since the 1980s, the ministry also stressed that it had completed “hundreds of projects through the River Basin Authorities to improve water supply.”
The scorecard listed Patigi Water Supply Project, Patigi, Kwara State, ABU Zaria Water Supply Project, Zaria, Kaduna State, and Ezealakpaka Water Supply Project, Mbano, Imo State, Damaturu Water Supply Project LOT B and C, Damaturu, Yobe State, Akanu Water Supply Project Ohafia, Abia State, Uburu Water Supply Project Ohaozala, Ebonyi State, Nasarawa Water Supply Project Nasarawa State, Amla-Otukpo Dam Benue State, among others as the interventions made by the Federal Government.
The ministry also noted it had collaborated with the private sector to provide jobs for the youths through its various water management projects. It stressed that it has increased the number of jobs from 8,882 in 2019 to over 16,648 in 2022.
Providing statistics on the availability of clean and accessible water in the country, the ministry noted that Nigerians had more access to improved, clean and potable water.
On the rehabilitation and management of dams, the ministry stated that four hundred Dams in Nigeria which can provide 11.2 Billion Cubic Metres of water for irrigation, 900MCM for water supply, and 18BCM for hydropower generation have been activated.
President Buhari Launches Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam
So to wrap things up, President Muhammadu Buhari on May 18, 2023 inaugurated the Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam, 40MW Hydropower Station and Associated 132KV Switchyard, Transmission Line, and Distribution Substation (Phase I) Project, located at the Kashimbila Dam site in Taraba State.
Speaking at a virtual ceremony held at the Council Chamber, State House, Abuja, the President underscored the importance of the Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam project, highlighting its role in his administration’s commitment to achieving the target of 30GW of electricity in the country by 2030, under the Electricity Vision 30:30:30.
President Buhari, while inviting the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Bello, to unveil the project on his behalf, noted that the Electricity Vision initiative aims to have renewable energy contribute at least 30% to the energy mix, thereby expediting the expansion of electricity access.
The President also said the implementation and completion of the Kashimbila projects align with his government’s policies to alleviate poverty, generate employment opportunities, enhance healthcare services, and improve Nigerians’ overall standard of living.
The President said Phase I of the Power Evacuation Component of the Project includes the 132KV Switchyard, four substations at Takum, Wukari, Rafin Kada, Donga, and the rehabilitation of the existing 132KV Yandev substation.
He added that it also involves the installation of a 245km, 132KV Double Circuits line from Kashimbila to Takum, Wukari, Yandev, as well as a 45km, 33kv Double Circuits line from Wukari to Donga through Rafin Kada.
The President assured Nigerians that other projects aimed at boosting electricity supply, such as the 40MW Dadinkowa Hydropower Plant in Gombe State and the 700MW Zungeru Hydropower Plant in Niger State, are also ready for commissioning.
Sad to say that Nigeria still has the lowest access to electricity globally, with about 92 million persons out of the country’s 200 million population lacking access to power and this is according to the Energy Progress Report 2022 released by Tracking SDG 7, has revealed.
The report, produced in conjunction with the International Energy Agency, International Renewable Energy Agency, United Nations Statistics Division, the World Bank and the World Health Organisation, indicated that Nigeria was followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo’s 72 million, Ethiopia’s 56 million and Pakistan’s 54 million access deficits.
HOUSING
The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, has completed or is completing housing projects in 34 States of Nigeria, under the National Housing Programme, with the support of the State Governors who provided the land.
So far more than 5,000 houses are at various stages of completion, and thousands more are planned.
The Family Homes Fund Limited (FHFL), incorporated by the Federal Government of Nigeria in September 2016, is the implementing agency for the Buhari Administration’s National Social Housing scheme.
The Fund has now completed more than 13,000 homes across nine States, with another 20,000 commencing building works in 2022. In the process these housing developments have created more than 64,000 direct and indirect jobs.
But according to a publication by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria’s housing deficit was at 7 million in 1991 and rose to 12 million in 2007, 14 million in 2010, 20 million units in 2019 and according to the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, it is currently at 28 million units as at January 2023. This means that 28 million people or more are homeless.
The CBN has estimated an amount of ₦21 trillion will be needed to finance this deficit, and with a growing population of 200 million Nigerians, the current deficit is extremely high.
This is certainly an area to be looked into by the incoming administration.
In all, I give Buhari Administration 60% for infrastructure. This is hoping that as Buhari picked up from Jonathan’s administration, the incoming administration will finish the pending ones and start on new ones.
Archaeologists have begun a dig at an ancient ironworks where they hope to discover whether it dates from the Roman or Viking period.
Local experts believe the Egremont site in Wirral, Merseyside was used to forge tools and weapons.
Dr Brian Atkin, from Wirral Archaeology, said they hoped to find items that “can be subjected to dating and chemical analysis”.
He said they would provide information about the era when the site was set up.
“If it is found to link to the Roman era, this would add to the body of evidence supporting a Roman presence on this part of Wirral,” he said.
“Or it may provide information about the Viking presence in the north of Wirral, which up to now has left few traces apart from the wealth of Norse place names.”
The Romans built forts in the wider region, some decades after invading southern England in 43 AD.
Local archaeology digs have found evidence of roundhouses and jewellery from the Roman period in north Wirral.
President Muhammadu Buhari will make a farewell broadcast as President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces on Sunday, May 28, at 7 am.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity on Saturday evening in Abuja.
Television, radio stations and other electronic media outlets are enjoined to hook up to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority and Radio Nigeria for the broadcast.
Heroes’ Acre is an official war memorial of the Government of Namibia, and it is located in the Asuas Mountains, south of the capital city Windhoek.
As the Republic of Namibia has been under continued colonial occupation for 105 year and 226 days, the founding father and first President of Namibia Sam Nujoma initiated the erection of this, as some might say it, “monstrous” memorial.
During his visit of Zimbabwe in 1997, he got the idea of construction for something that would foster the spirit of patriotism and nationalism, passing it to the future generations of Namibia.
The memorial is laid out as a symmetrical polygon comprising extensive parade grounds and grandstands for an audience of 5000 people. The entrance gates of the memorial are flanked by 2 kneeling women offering bouquets of flowers, a symbolic welcoming gesture in true Namibian tradition.
The centerpiece of the Heroes’ Acre is the Obelisk, which is 34 meters (112 feet) high, gives the appearance, together with the rear Copper Mural, of a sword which is representative of the bravery, strength and tenacity of those who took part in Namibia’s protracted and often bloody liberation struggle.
The imposing statue of the Unknown Soldier represents all the Namibians who died in the struggle, and it is 8 meters (26 feet) tall, cast from bronze that weighs 4 tonnes.
In the right hand he flutters an anti-tank grenade, while in his left hand he carries a Kalashnikov (model 47) assault riffle, which was an inexpensive and easily available weapon that became the standard weapon of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia.
Some are saying that the Unknown Soldier is actually the President Sam Nujoma, which really has a resemblance. The wording which is a cast replica of Nujoma’s handwriting that states: “Glory to the fallen Heroes and Heroines of the motherland Namibia! Sam Nujoma 26 August 2002”, which is the date the inauguration took place.
The pedestal contains soil samples which were taken from the mass graves of the Freedom Fighters killed by South African forces in Cassinga (Angola), Ongulumbashe (Namibia), and Oshatotwa (Zambia).
The bronze mural illustrates the struggle of the indigenous Namibians, where the four plates depict: the suffering and oppression under Imperial Germany’s colonial rule, petitioning the UN for Independence from the South African occupation, 26 August 1966 when the South West Africa People’s Organization attacked a contingent of South Africa forces at Ongulumbashe in the northern Omusati Region of Namibia, and ‘Freedom Fight We Have Won’ was sung victoriously on 21 March 1990 when the flag of South Africa was lowered and the national flag of Namibia was raised for the first time.
The memorial is enriched with the Eternal Flame, that represents the undying spirit of freedom and recognition of the ultimate sacrifice that all of the fallen sons and daughters made for Namibia.
As Namibia is a small nation, it definitely has some very tumulous past which in the end was awarded with a full independence, something what the Namibians have been dreaming for a long time.
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