All dark and gloomy, I’m afraid
What seemed to have been a Zimbabwean only, self-imposed, syndrome has now spread through the southern region. Power shortages have become a problem in the south and this will certainly raise energy concerns higher up on the Africa agenda. But has Africa taken into account how climate change – in relation to the energy crisis – will exacerbate the current concerns?
The reason these countries are taking it so hard, even if a good number of other countries in Africa have not had adequate power for decades, is simply because they were not prepared. My two year old already knows what a power cut is and participates in the shutdown procedure when the lights go out - i.e. unplug TV, microwave, fridge and other appliances; light the candles and prepare for a cold dinner. He also knows that when the lights come back, they usually trip out again almost immediately, so you wait for the third count.
If any good must come out of this darkness, then I certainly hope that his generation will develop the ability to see in the dark and, since all you he has sitting in the dark is his mind, then may he increase his computing ability so that by the time he leaves university to get a job he will walk into an office with no computer - and never need one.
- Enock Chinyenze, TVE Regional Coordinator for Africa
Dark days for southern Africa
February 16 2008. By Peter Fabricius and IFS Reporters
The South African government is often urged to cut off power to Zimbabwe to force President Robert Mugabe to behave himself. But, strangely, it turns out that power actually flows the other way. Last month, South Africa imported 100 megawatts (MW) of electricity from its disempowered neighbour. It exported nothing in return, and has not done so for about a year. This anomaly explains little about the odd behaviour of electricity - but a lot more about the parlous state of the regional power network.
The power utilities of SA, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Mozambique, Swaziland, Lesotho, Malawi and Tanzania are all members of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), a network launched in 1995 to enable its members to buy and sell surplus electricity to their neighbours. At that time, SA had a large surplus and could supply all the needs of the smaller countries. However, like SA, the SAPP exhausted its reserves last year, and is now in deficit of about 1 000MW.
Eskom has contracts to supply Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe, but because of the deficit in SA, it now supplies only Botswana (350MW), Lesotho (24MW) and Swaziland (180MW.) Eskom is importing 180MW from the Democratic Republic of Congo and 1,200MW from Mozambique's Cahora Bassa hydroelectric generator - and, intermittently - as with that 100MW last month - small amounts from Zimbabwe and Zambia. This usually happens at about 3am when the demand in these countries is lowest.
So, among the state power utilities of the SAPP, powerhouse SA is actually a net importer of about 750MW. But if you add in Eskom's contractual supplies to specific industrial users, like Mozambique's Mozal aluminium smelter, which takes a whopping 950MW, SA becomes a slight net exporter. But many South Africans are unhappy that the country is exporting electricity at all, while some foreign investors are contemplating suing the SA government for damages to reclaim their losses caused by the power failures.
They plan to argue that SA has violated bilateral investment treaties that demand favourable conditions for investment, including adequate power. Some mining companies are considering seeking compensation in an international court, arguing that they are being discriminated against because Eskom is exporting to the region, while they are being forced to cut production. But Eskom has responded that it must honour existing export contracts and that it exports only around 5 percent of its capacity - about 1 400MW to
1 600 MW.
"Some of the region's utilities are dependent on Eskom for up to 80 percent of their energy needs," Eskom says. "If exports are stopped, these countries would experience substantial energy shortages, which would have a crippling impact on their economies and put additional pressure on SA's socio-economic position. "Zero exports would only have a small impact on reducing domestic load-shedding needs."
Eskom also pointed out that it supplied power only to countries with firm contracts - Botswana, Swaziland and Lesotho. To others, like Namibia, it was exporting on a day-ahead basis when excess power was available. Eskom also points out that it is striving to increase its imports from the region. It already gets 1 200MW from Cahora Bassa, 110MW from the DRC's Inga hydroelectric plan and an occasional 100MW from Zambia's Kariba. Eskom is helping to refurbish and extend these and other plants and is negotiating with the DRC, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique.
Most notably, it has an interest in the plans to build Inga 3 and 4 hydroelectric stations on the Congo River, which would supply about 32 000MW to the SAPP grid. Some analysts argue that this clean power has the potential to make the building of further coal and nuclear-powered generators in SA unnecessary, but Eskom seems reluctant to risk further power failure disaster down the road by not building its own capacity. As in SA, mining - now Zimbabwe's biggest earner of foreign currency - is being hit hard.
Botswana lost 25 percent of its power last week to load shedding, partly because Eskom had reduced its contractual quota from 425MW to 350MW last year, while Namibia is scrambling to find alternatives and is bracing itself for a crash soon. Namibia has said it plans to build its own nuclear power station.
This article was originally published on page 4 of The Star on
February 16, 2008
Zimbabwe Jan inflation hits 100,586.2 pct yr/yr
HARARE, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's annual inflation surged to a record 100,580.2 percent in January, up from 66,212.3 percent the previous month, official data showed on Wednesday. The Central Statistical Office said inflation on a monthly basis rose to 120.8 percent in the period, down from 240.1 percent in December but still high enough for a country grappling with a severe economic crisis. Critics say President Robert Mugabe's policies, including the seizure of white-owned farms to resettle blacks, has worsened the crisis. The veteran leader denies the charges. (Reporting by MacDonald Dzirutwe)
Internet Operators Lament Lack of Access in Gambia
Internet Café operators and users have been complaining recently that they cannot access Internet services. They complained that it sometimes takes them two to three hours before they can access the Internet. Internet operators stated that they are having difficulties with their customers due to difficulties in accessing their email accounts.
Most customers who this reporter spoke to said that they cannot understand the slow process of browsing the Internet. They said they buy time which would be exhausted without accessing their emails. Some customers stated that they would buy two to three hours without accessing their mails which is a loss to them.
The Internet café operators within the Kanifing Municipality pinpointed the same problems they have been having since last week. They said it is very difficult for their clients to understand the delay in accessing the internet. They said they have to explain to their customers that the problem emanates from the main service providers. They said customers often ask them to refund them their monies as they cannot access the Internet. They indicated that they are encountering financial losses due to a drop in the number of customers; that they do refund some customers who insist on getting their monies back because of inaccessibility to the internet.
However, Foroyaa investigated the problem and found out that the Internet cable linking Gamtel and Sonatel, in Senegal has been faulty. According to our sources, The Gambia internet traffic passes through Senegal; that their main supply is the Senegalese telco Sonatel.
Yaya Manneh, of the Gamtel Internet Service unit, confirmed their problems pointing out that it was a cable problem emanating from their underground fibre connection with Senegal, which has been cut. But he was quick to add that they are tirelessly working on the problem. He indicated that, at first, they thought the fibre problem emanated from the Senegalese side but it was later discovered that it was from The Gambian side. He also confirmed that Gambia is not yet connected to World Wide Web due to lack of "Marine Cable," which Senegal have for easy access to the World Wide Web. He noted that their main back bone is Senegal. During his interview with the Foryaa newspaper, Manneh received another call saying the problem had been resolved.
(Source: Foroyaa Newspaper)
School Computers Rot in Store in Namibia
The bulk of a N$9 million consignment of computer equipment bought by the Ministry of Education early last year for distribution to 40 schools has not yet reached its intended destinations. The computers have been kept in storage at the Ministry's recently established National Education Technology Service and Support Centre (Netts) in Windhoek.
The reason for the delay appears to be a lack of proper infrastructure at most of the schools identified. Many of the schools, according to Ministry officials, do not have the necessary power points. There is also concern about a lack of security at some of the schools.
Sources in the Ministry are worried that the warranty on the computers could lapse before they are installed. But the Deputy Director at the Ministry, Johan van Wyk, yesterday said that the warranty would only take effect once the computers were installed. "We knew that the computers would be with us for a while, because some of the schools were just not ready yet," he said.
Van Wyk said about a third of the computers had been deployed since the arrival of the last consignment in July last year. This equipment, he said, was sent mostly to Windhoek schools and various colleges of education and vocational training centres across the country. Van Wyk said the Ministry was waiting on its regional directors to confirm that the identified schools were ready for the installation.
"I would rather have them rot here right now than send them to a school where I have no guarantee that they will be safe", added Jens Viëter, Director of the Netts centre.
Both officials rejected claims that the Ministry had been dragging its feet on the matter. "The last batch of the computers only reached us in July, and shortly after that was the start of the exams," Van Wyk said, adding that the Ministry had received a directive from Minister Nangolo Mbumba last year that no other activities were to be undertaken at schools during examinations. He said schools in the Erongo and Karas regions had recently confirmed that they were ready for the computers, and the installation should be done next week.
(Source: The Namibian)
Media news
Mobile Phones to Be Used in Aids Fight in Uganda
An innovative programme that uses cell phone text messages as an interactive tool in improving HIV/Aids sensitisation and education has been introduced in Uganda. The programme is a joint effort of Text to Change (TTC), the Aids Information Centre (AIC) and Celtel Uganda. Text to Change is a non profit organisation which is devoted to improving HIV/Aids education in sub-Saharan Africa. A joint press statement issued by TTC and AIC on Saturday said the pilot programme would officially be launched by the three partners in Mbarara on Valentines Day (February, 14).
According to the statement, the TTC came up with the idea after it realised that by utilising cell phones, HIV/Aids knowledge could reach more people especially the youth who are ignorant of the disease. "The first thing that came to my mind when I learnt about telephones was: if so many people are accessing mobile telephones in Sub Saharan Africa, why not use them for health education?" Text to Change's founder and Marketing Manager Bas Hoefman said.
(source: The Monitor)
Ghana: Metro TV Makes Impact
From a humble beginning, Metro TV has rose to become a force to reckon with in the media landscape in the country and beyond. Established some few years ago, it has made giant strides especially in the sports fraternity, having won the best TV Sports Station Award in succession.
Their exceptional coverage in sports has endeared them to both sports lovers and the non fanatics alike. What is more, their high sense of news have brought the world closer to its viewers more than before with the telecast of live programs internally and externally. Emerging as the best TV Station as far as covering the just-ended Africa Cup of Nations is concerned attests to their high high sense of duty and professionalism.
During the biennial soccer fiesta, their behind the scenes activities, live Black Stars updates and their quest to telecast all UEFA Champions League and 24hrs premier league games every Sunday and Monday, the composition of the Black Stars' cheer song by Talal Fattal and Love Ashitey places them far above their competitors.
A few months ago, it embarked on a successful soccer reality show dubbed "MTN Metro TV Soccer Academy" which churned out more soccer potentials. Among the soccer prospects it unveiled is Gideon Baah, whose exceptional speed and ball control saw him reigning supreme in the maiden soccer reality show. Tomorrow, Metro TV will telecast live the UEFA Champions League game between Liverpool and Inter Milan as well as the Arsenal-AC Milan game on Wednesday all at 8pm.
(Ghanaian Chronicle (Accra), 18 February 2008)
Environment news
Reuters: World switches on to Earth Hour switch-off
Tue Feb 19, By Rob Taylor
CANBERRA (Reuters) - As many as 30 million people are tipped to switch off lights and televisions around the world to help fight climate change with 24 cities joining Earth Hour on March 29, environment group WWF said on Wednesday. Following last year's Earth Hour in Australia, where 2.2 million Sydneysiders powered-down for an hour, cities including Atlanta, San Francisco, Bangkok, Ottawa, Dublin, Vancouver, Montreal and Phoenix have also signed on, WWF said. They joined Copenhagen and Aarhus, Manila, Fiji's capital Suva, Chicago, Tel Aviv, Christchurch, Toronto, Odense and Aalborg, as well as major Australian cities including Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and the national capital Canberra.
"If we see the same participation levels around the globe that we did in Sydney, then we can anticipate more than 30 million people involved," said Andy Ridley, Earth Hour's executive director. Earth Hour asks residents in participating cities to switch off lights and non-essential electrical items for one hour at 8 p.m. to raise awareness of carbon emissions that scientists blame for causing global warming. During last year's Sydney event, restaurants used candles and lights were turned off in homes and major landmarks, including the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.
This year, Ridley said, other iconic buildings to be plunged into darkness would include San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, Chicago's Sears Tower and Soldier Field Stadium football ground, as well as the 553-metre CN Tower in Toronto. "Climate change is a truly global issue and people around the world are demanding action," he said. During last year's Earth Hour in Sydney, essential lights were kept on for safety reasons, including street lights. Power provider Energy Australia said the event cut electricity consumption by 10.2 percent.
(Editing by David Fogarty)
South Africa: Paying the Price for Mining
UN Integrated Regional Information Networks: One legacy of South Africa's extensive mineral deposits is the infrastructure and wealth of the country. But another more troubling legacy is emerging as an increasingly urgent problem: environmental contamination from over 100 years of mining that could severely pollute the country's water, affecting the food chain and citizens' health. The magnitude of the potential problem has government agencies scrambling to coordinate a response to a relatively new issue for the regulatory bodies. "The truth of the matter is that as a nation we don't know how to deal with this problem because it has never happened to us before," said Dr Anthony Turton, a leading water researcher at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). "This was always suppressed before because people didn't matter in the pre-1994 South Africa. All we've done so far is see the tip of the iceberg. We certainly don't have any coherent government strategies yet." http://allafrica.com/stories/200802150815.html
Namibia: Dune Belt to Be Protected
New Era (Windhoek): The dune belt between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay will be declared a protected area to safeguard the area from further deterioration. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism said on Tuesday it would submit a notice to the Cabinet to proclaim the area between the Walvis Bay, including Kuiseb Delta and Swakopmund up to the Swakop River mouth, a protected area on its own or to be incorporated into the existing Namibia Naukluft Park. The National West Coast Recreation Area will also become a national park in a move to protect the coastal areas from further damage. These measures, which will be finalized by June this year and be implemented fully before end of year holiday season, follow the ministry's failed attempts to get cooperation from drivers of off-road vehicles who continue to drive in prohibited areas. In a statement the Ministry of Environment and Tourism Permanent Secretary, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, said urgent action had to be taken against uncontrolled off-road driving in the dune belt between the two towns and the National West Coast Recreational Area to reduce further damage to the country's ecologically sensitive coastal areas. http://allafrica.com/stories/200802150353.html
Namibia: Community Forests a Boon
New Era (Windhoek): Community forests last year generated more than N$300 000 for rural communities living in the north-east of Namibia. Since 2005, communities in the project areas in Kavango, Caprivi and Otjozondjupa regions have derived an income by marketing forestry products such as timber and firewood, poles, wild fruits, devil's claw, thatching grass, tourism, honey from bee-keeping, wildlife, weaved baskets and crafts. About 16 registered forests earned the N$310 000 collectively. The advent of the forests has led to improved forest resource management and livelihoods of local people based on the empowerment of local communities with forest use rights. Based on the Forest Act of 2001, the project assists local communities to establish their own community forests, and to manage and utilize them in a sustainable manner. There are currently 20 000 beneficiaries in registered community forests in the three regions who manage the gazetted community forests. http://allafrica.com/stories/200802150530.html
Africa: Rwanda, Uganda, DRC Sign $92m Eco-Bid
East African Business Week (Kampala): Rwanda, Uganda and the DR Congo have launched a massive joint conservation programme in the Central Albertine rift. Embedded in a 10-year action plan, with a 30- year vision, the joint transboundary conservation programme aims at protecting the environment in the Central Albertine rift and wild lives in it. The three countries have devotedly agreed to protect the world's endangered species in the Central Albertine rift which is a major contributor to their tourism package. The joint transboundary conservation campaign that was recently launched in Kigali and attended by bosses of three wild life conservation authorities from Rwanda, Uganda and DRC , seeks about $92million in ten years to kick off. The plan started in 2006 and ends in 2016. http://allafrica.com/stories/200802190071.html
Nigeria: Gas Flaring - FG's Statement Embarrassing - ERA
Vanguard (Lagos): Alleged conflicting statements from the Federal Government on gas flare-out deadlines since January 1, 2008, when it ought to have taken effect constitute a clear indication that it does not have the muscle to clip the wings of oil multinationals that have deliberately frustrated any attempt at halting flaring in the Niger Delta, the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth, Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has said. The environmental justice group in a statement in Lagos said government has refused to come out with a clear position on the December 31, 2008 deadline, adding that conflicting pronouncements from Ministers of State in the Energy Ministry on one hand, and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) on the other, have become an embarrassment to the entire nation. http://allafrica.com/stories/200802190350.html
Uganda: Hima Cement to Extract Limestone From Queen Elizabeth National Park
New Vision (Kampala): The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has permitted Hima Cement to mine limestone in Queen Elizabeth National Park, a UNESCO designated reserve. UWA's decision followed wide consultations with various stakeholders, according to a press statement signed by Lillian Nsubuga, the public relations manager. "UWA supports the initiatives being taken by Hima Cement to boost the production of cement in Uganda. The board of trustees has authorised the executive director to sign a permit for Hima to mine limestone in the park," she said. She urged Hima to prevent soil run-offs from getting into rivers and deposit waste generated outside the park. Another mitigation measure Hima must implement is the restoration of the environment by ensuring that the top soil washed away is stored and managed so that it retains its biological and physical properties. http://allafrica.com/stories/200802190435.html
Angola: Large Amount of Fish Floats At Luanda Bay
Angola Press Agency (Luanda): At least one ton of dead fish is since Monday night floating at Luanda Island Bay, Angop learned. A team involving officers of the fiscal police, Fisheries Ministry and Port Authority inspectors is working to collect the fish for incineration. Speaking to Angop, the provincial director for Fisheries and Environment, Júlio Sebastião de Carvalho, said tests carried out by the Fishery Investigation Institute showed that the death of the fish is not associated with any kind of contamination. He said it is believed that fishermen may have caught the fish and lacking facilities to preserve it decided to return the haul to the sea, adding another team is investigating to find those responsible. Julião de Carvalho also assured there is not need of a Luanda Bay ban as the water is not contaminated. http://allafrica.com/stories/200802191412.html
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