People, Places and Events
SENEGAL
Conference on democracy in Africa
An international conference on democracy in Africa has opened in Dakar, Senegal with 30 parties from 24 countries represented. The main topics will be the role of the political party in African countries and economic and political pressures in democracies.Senegal's ruling Socialist Party is organising the meeting with the National Democratic Institute, which is financed by the US Democratic Party. In addition to African parties leading delegates are expected from the Socialist. International, Liberal and Christian Democratic parties, and the US Republican Party,
Higher prices for fuel
The Senegalese government has introduced higher prices for petrol and other fuel in a bid to slash an oil bill deficit currently standing at 13 billion CFA francs. The Industrial Development Ministry set hikes of between 5.7 per cent and 7.6 per cent to absorb the deficit. The last price rises in December failed to dent the deficit.Restructuring of PTT
A restructuring of the post and telecommunications services through the creation of two national companies - one for telecommunications and the other for the postal services, savings bank and postal orders will soon be implemented, official sources have said in Dakar.According to the government plan, the National Telecommunications Company (SNT), whose establishment is envisaged, will embrace the National International Telecommunications Company of Senegal (Telesenegal) and the Department of Telecommunications of the Post and Telecommunications Authority (OPT) responsible for internal telecommunications.
The plan envisages the connection of 15,000 new lines in Dakar, and the installation of a new communications aerial at the satellite earth station at Gandoul, near Dakar. The Senegalese programme is being financed by several lending institutions: the World Bank, the West African Development Bank, the African Development Bank, the French Central Fund for Economic Cooperation, the Canadian Agency of Cooperation for International Development, and the Italian government.
The second company whose creation is envisaged is a national company entrusted with the running of post offices and other establishments attached to them, savings banks and postal orders. The proposed restructuring of the Senegalese post and telecommunications services led to public protests by the Union of Postal Workers, who organised a work-to-rule strike to protest against the risks of laying-off of personnel. The call for the strike was withdrawn after consultation with the authorities.
Loan from France
A loan agreement has been signed between Senegal and the Central Fund for Economic Cooperation (CFEC) in Dakar. The loan, which amounts to 10bn CFA francs, is for the implementation of the Senegalese financial and economic recovery programme.The loan is the 12th of its kind since 1978 and brings the total loaned to Senegal since that date to 67.5bn CFA francs (about 143m dollars).
LIBERIA
Baccus MatthewsUPP certificated by election commission
The United People's Party, UPP, has been certificated by the Special Election Commission, Secom, in the run up to general elections in the country, scheduled for October this year. The certification of UPP follows the expiration last Friday of a 20 day deadline for challenges on the partisan list published by Secom.Presenting the certificate to the UPP Chairman, Mr G. Baccus Matthews, the Chairman of the Special Election Commission, Ambassador Emmet Harmon informed the UPP delegation that throughout the publication of the partisan list, Secom received no challenges against the list.
American journalists plead for lifting of ban
The US based committee to protect Journalists has urged the Liberian government to use the occasion of the country's independence celebrations to lift the ban on the Daily Observer and to encourage conditions that would ensure a meaningful transition to civilian rule.In a letter addressed to both Head of State, Gen Doe and Minister of Justice, Jenkins Scott the Committee which is a non-partisan organisation of American journalists working to protect the human and professional rights of their colleagues worldwide expressed their distress that six months after lifting a six month ban on the paper to coincide with Liberia's independence day, the government has closed it again.
The committee disagreed that the holding by the Observer of opinions differ- ent from those of the government threatens the unity of the Liberian people. On the contrary, the committee argued in the letter that in this crucial period, the free flow of news and opinions can only strengthen Liberian society.
IVORY COAST
Trade agreement yet to take off
A bilateral trade agreement signed between Ivory Coast and Nigeria in 1982 is yet to be implemented. This was the observation of a 12-man Nigerian Agricultural Trade Mission of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry(LCCI) to Ivory Coast. The mission, headed by the President of the Chamber, Professor Ayo Ogunsheye, recently undertook a study of the Ivory Coast's development in commercial agriculture and agro-allied industries, with a view to applying it to Nigeria.
Making the findings of the trade mission known in Lagos, Professor Ogunsheye attributed the failure of the trade agreement to Nigeria's apathy in following it up. This development, Professor Ogunsheye noted, was a matter of concern to the organised private sector, who were availed of information about the text of the agreement.
TOGO
Rescheduling of debts
Togo's principal creditors, including France, have agreed in principle to a rescheduling of the country's debts. The rescheduling is to be spread over 11 years with a five year grace period. In 1984, Togo's debts were estimated at 314bn CFA francs.GHANA
Barter aid deal with US
A340-tonne consignment of Ghanaian white size (corn) is on its way to drought-stricken Mali as part of a three-way barter-aid deal involving both countries and the US.The maize is part of a consignment of US 10.000 tonnes supplied to the US by Ghana under a barter agreement and provided by the Americans as aid to Mali.
Under the agreement signed between the two countries in Kumasi, Ghana is to provide the US with 15,000 tonnes of maize a exchange for 12,258 tonnes of rice from the US
The aid convoy is being handled by the World Vision International Organisation, and transport costs will be paid by the US. According to the co-ordinator of the programme, Col Charles Amele, about 200 articulated trucks will be needed for the haulage to Mali within a scheduled three months
Call for investigation of shootings
The Government is making moves at the diplomatic level to settle the controversy over the death of many Ghanaians at the Nigeria and Benin border as a result of shooting by Nigerian troops. Eyewitness accounts put the number of those shot dead at more than 25.The dead were reportedly buried in a mass grave near the border. Two of those admitted to hospital with bullet wounds were later taken away by Nigerian soldiers to an undisclosed destination..The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation quoted an official that the Government has taken up the matter with the Nigerian Government through the Ghana High Commission in Lagos. This has been confirmed by the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dr Obed Asamoah, who was speaking in a radio interview.
Dr Asamoah added that the Ghanaian Government has demanded that the Nigerian Government should fully investigate the shooting incident. He hoped after the inquiry compensation would be paid to the families of the victims.
$40 million road project
Ghana is to launch a 40 million dollar transport and road improvement programme with a loan from the International Development Association (IDA), the concessionary lending arm of the World Bank.A statement by the resident mission of the World Bank in Accra said that the project would set aside funds for infrastructure, new equipment, spare parts and fuel.
The programme includes the provision of technical assistance to upgrade operations at the Bank for Housing and Construction (BHC) and the improvement of maintenance capabilities of the roads and highways department.
According to the statement the country's road networks will be rehabilitated and maintained during a three-year period under the project. Improvements will also be made to the trunk road network to increase agricultural activities and speed up goods transportation.
Some 2,900 kilometres of feeder roads and drainage systems will also be improved under a three year pilot programme designed to serve as a model for future road works.
The bank added that eleven bridges would be repaired and three more built under the project.
Ghanaian exile stabbed in Germany
A Ghanaian exiled in the Federal Republic of Germany was stabbed to death and another seriously injured in a scuffle with four men in Oberhansen, Osterdield.Sources close to the Ghanaian community in Germany said the victim, Mr Mark Kwasi Tano has since been buried in Germany after fruitless efforts to convince the Ghana Embassy in Bonn to fly the body to Acera.
Meanwhile Mr Emmanuel Osei, the deceased's friend who was injured in the scuffle is responding well to treatment.
New TV transmitters
The Chairman of the PNDC (Provisional National Defence Council) Flt-Lt Rawlings, has commissioned three new 50kW transmitters for the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) in Accra. The project, which was wholly financed by the government, cost 3.2m dollars with the cedi component of 7.8m cedis.Earlier the director-general of the GBC, Fifi Hesse, announced that the next stage of the rehabilitation exercise is to convert one of the television studios into colour at the cost of 1.9m dollars. This project will be completed by February next year, and will also be financed by the government.
The television transmitters at Anyangote, Jamasi and Kisi will also undergo modernisation at the cost of 2.9m dollars, to be borne by a Japanese grant. Mr Fifi Hesse said with the new transmitters he is confident that there will be fewer or no breaks in transmission at all.
Lake transport contract
The Volta River Authority has signed a contract with a West German company, Messers Krupp and Kross Witiggar for the manufacture and supply of floating units required for the implementation of a project for the improvement and expansion of the Volta Lake transport systemThe contract price is 11.5m DM, about 5.2m cedis. Under the contract, the company will supply floating units which include a push tug, flat-top cargo barges with a carrying capacity of 7501 and a tank for diesel fuel. Workshop equipment and spare parts are also to be supplied under the contract.
Work on the project, which started in February this year, is expected to be completed by the end of 1988. When completed, it will provide improved and expanded cargo facilities to and from the north to help the country's inland water transport system. It will also supplement the rail and road transport systems.
GAMBIA
Coup plot
A Gambian recently arrested and charged with the murder of a Mauritanian trader was also found to be involved in plotting to overthrow President Sir Dawda Jawara. The French news agency, citing the Gambia Onward' newspaper said the alleged plotter, Lamine Dabo, was found to be in possession of a large sum of money which was intended to finance the plot. Two policewomen had been arrested for complicity in the plot, the agency further reported.CAMEROON
Swiss loan
Two loan agreements involving the sum of about 1bn CFA francs have been signed between Cameroon and Switzerland. The agreements were signed at the Ministry of Planning and Territorial Development in Yaounde. The amount will be used to finance development projects in priority sectors such rural development, as communication infrastructure, water supply and energy resources.NIGER
More deaths from measles About 850 people, mostly children, died of measles in Niger in the first five months of this year, the Health Ministry has announced in Niamey. More than 48,000 people have had the disease during the period, according to the Ministry.The death toll is much higher than that of a similar epidemic last year, when 473 deaths were recorded out of a total of 32,500 people affected by the disease. Measles, still one of the chief causes of child deaths in Niger, followed by drought, has caused people to flee to more fertile regions, according to the Ministry.
SIERRA LEONE
Major cabinet reshuffle
In a major cabinet reshuffle the Finance Minister, Abdulai Conteh and the Internal Affairs Minister, Sam Banya have both lost their portfolios.They were replaced by Joe Amara Bangali and Suku Tamba respectively. The Second Vice-President, Francis Minah was given the additional portfolio of Attorney General and Minister of Justice. Details of the reshuffle are:
Mr Francis Minah, Second Vice President is also appointed Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
Mr Joe Amara Bangali hitherto Minister of State and Deputy Minister of Finance now becomes Minister of Finance while Fasuluku Suku Tamba, Minister of Health is now appointed Minister of Internal Affairs.
Mr A. B. Kamara the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice now becomes Minister of Health. Dr I. M. Fofana, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, becomes Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Dr Abass Bundu, Minister of Agriculture and Natural full attendance Resources becomes Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and Mr Sani Sesay, Minister of Social Welfare and Rural Development becomes Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning.
Other changes are Mr Ibrahim Kamara, Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning becomes Minister of Social Welfare and Rural Development and Alhaji Musa Kabia is appointed Minister of State and Deputy Minister of Finance.
President Siaka Stevens in Nigeria
President Siaka Stevens was reported to have arrived in Lagos to begin a three-day official visit to the country. He was received at the airport by the Head of State, Maj- Gen Muhammadu Buhari, the Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, Maj-Gen Tunde Idiagbon, and all the service chiefs. Officials of both countries were expected to begin talks on ways of expanding existing cooperation in the areas of oil trade, air transport, and education. President Stevens would later hold special talks with General Muhammadu Buhari at Dodan barracks.OAU
Summit date is July 18
The OAU steering committee has recommended that the forthcoming summit should be held in Addis Ababa on 18th July. Under the recommendations the summit would examine ways of speeding up the implementation of the Lagos Plan of Action of Africa's economic development and examine a special programme of action for promoting food production and agricultural development.Zaire boycott next summit
Zaire has indicated that it would "suspend its participation" in the next OAU summit because there had been "no evolution' within the organisation on the Western Sahara issue. The Moroccan news agency quoted the Zairean State Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, Mokolo wa Mpombo, as saying prior to his departure from Morocco at the end of a four-day visit that Zaire's resumption of diplomatic relations with Israel did not mean that Zaire aligned itself with Israeli policies.In fact, Zaire had told Israel that the Palestinian issue was the core of the Middle East problem, and the Palestinian people had the right to their own independent state, the Commissioner revealed.
Nigerian Minister urges
The next summit meeting of the OAU will work out the modalities for the implementation of the Lagos Plan of Action, Nigeria's Minister of External Affairs, Dr Ibrahim Gambari, made this known in an interview with Nigeria an diplomatic correspondent in Lagos. Dr Gambari stressed that no member nation of the OAU could afford to be absent from the summit in view of the importance of the The three were found guilty of robbing a plan of action for the economic development of the continent.The Minister said there was no going back on the recognition of the SADR. He advised Morocco and the SADR to work for a peaceful settlement rather than a continuous armed confrontation. The OAU summit, scheduled to begin on the 18th of this month, will be preceded by a ministerial meeting opening on the 10th.
Club of debtor countries
OAU Chairman and President of Tanzania, Julius Nyerere, has supported a proposal made by President Ratsiraka of Madagascar for the establishment of a "club" of debtor countries in Africa. According to the Pan-African agency Nyerere told a news conference held at the end of his visit to Madagascar that the main task of the club would be to bring about a joint bargaining position for African debtors in their negotiations with creditors.Dr Nyerere added that the proposed club and President Ratsiraka's idea of an OAU agricultural fund would be discussed at the OAU summit, which is to be held in Addis Ababa this month. The OAU Chairman also said that there were no signs that Morocco or Zaire would attend the forthcoming summit.
NIGERIA
Decree on passport
The Federal Military Government has promulgated a decree which makes it an offence for any person to assist in obtaining a false passport.Under the decree titled, "Passport (Miscellaneous provision) 1985 it is also an offence for a guarantor to affix his signature on any application form containing any false declaration or information.
It is also an offence punishable under the decree for an alien to possess a Nigerian passport, or for any person to unlawfully assist an alien to obtain a Nigerian passport. The decree also permits the Minister of Internal Affairs to cancel or withdraw any passport for specified reasons.
Army officers jailed
An army second lieutenant and two other non-commissioned officers attached to the 20 Air Mobile Battalion in Warri, Bendel State have been sentenced to 21 years imprisonment each, for robbery.They are Lt Jackson Palke (27) Staff Sergeant Patrick Asemenya (45) and Staff Sergeant Cleophas Gerang (42) who were jailed by the Warri Armed Robbery and Firearms Tribunal.
woman, Veronica Igboemene of N200 and a packet of cigarettes. A fourth soldier and six civilians earlier charged with the convicts were discharged and acquitted.
During the trial, the prosecution alleged that the 10 accused persons conspired and robbed Veronica Igboemene of N200, five bottles of beer valued at N10, and a packet of cigarettes on January 24, at Pereotugbene, while armed with a military rifle.
No hasty trial of detainees
Head of State, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari has said that his administration would not be stampeded into hasty trial of detainees, or their release from detention.General Buhari, who was speaking at the seventh graduation ceremony of the Command and Staff College, Jaji, last Friday, said that his administration "is committed to seeing that justice is done to everyone who is brought to trial, or who has been detained for whatever cause",
Report on Maitatsine disturbances
A report of the commission of inquiry into Gombe religious disturbances in Bauchi State has been submitted to Governor Sani Sami. Receiving the report, the Governor expressed Government's gross disillusion over the poor response from the general public in Gombe towards the commission.Brig Sami assured that the State Government would implement all the recommendations found suitable with dispatch. He hoped that those to be taken up by the Federal Government would equally be treated. Brig Sami maintained that the State Government would deal firmly with any person or group of persons found to be directly or indirectly aiding and abetting the outbreak of the disturbances, adding that suspected fanatics that were proved to have taken part in the disturbances would also be dealt with according to the law.
Earlier, submitting the report, the Chairman of the Commission, Justice Alex Dikke Okoye, said that his commission received 77 exhibits, 69 witnesses, 29 memoranda, as well as physically surviving the Maitatsine fanatics' enclave in Pantani ward.
No progress with IMF
Head of State, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari has said that there has not been any progress in the Federal Government's negotiations for a balance of payments from the International Monetary Fund, (IMF).But he added that rather than fold its arms and continue to wait for the loan, the government had adopted other strategies to revive the economy. He said in Jaji, Kaduna State, that "lack of progress in the continuing negotiations for an IMF loan has compelled the Federal Government to adopt other strategies for economic survival," and that the strategies had helped to revitalize the industrial sector through the supply of spare parts and raw materials for local industrials.
General Buhari was speaking at the graduation ceremony of officers at the Command and Staff College, Jaji.
IMF loan would worsen situation
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan would worsen Nigeria's situation, a university don, Professor Olajide Aluko has said.Speaking in the Ondo State Radiovision current affairs programme, "Guest of the Week," the professor explained that such loan did not worth the nation's effort.
"Considering all factors involved, the loan will worsen our economic and social situation," he emphasised.
Professor Aluko who remarked that most Africans were living on charity because of corrupt leadership and lack of foresight, however disagreed that Nigeria was the corner stone of African foreign market". Policy.
Detained police sergeant escapes
A police sergeant who was arrested in connection with the sale of question papers of the West African School Examinations(WASCE) has escaped from police custody. A report in the Concord said the officer, Mr Chibuzor Egwurugwu (28) who was attached to Adikpo Police Station, in Benue State, is now wanted by the state CID, over the leakage of the English and Mathematics papers.
Drunken policemen should be sacked
Lagos State Attorney General, Mrs Hairat Aderinsola Balogun, has suggested instant sack for policemen found drinking or drunk on duty, to stem the rising graph of unjustified shootings.Giving a number of suggestions on how to improve the Police Force at Police College, Ikeja, she made a pointed reference to the tragic death of athletic star, Mr Dele Udoh.
for Justice, said that a classic example of the need to distance armed policemen and liquor, was established during trial that the police corporal who shot Mr Udoh dead, because the late athletics star argued with him, was "dead drunk at the time of the incident".
She told the audience assembled for the 1985 Police Training Week; "It is sad to note that in Lagos State, we have had the unpleasant task of instituting criminal proceedings against some policemen for shooting innocent citizens at road blocks".
The Attorney-General said that in most cases similar to the Dele Udoh incident, the shootings were precipitated by alcohol and not the possibility of a suspect attempting to escape, as was often claimed.
Profits for Mobil Oil
Mobil Oil Nigeria Limited recorded a total profit of N26 million after taxation last year, doubling its profit of N13 million recorded in 1983.This was disclosed by its shareholders by the company's Chairman, Mr Richard M. Leonard, at the company's annual general meeting.
Dividends of 18 kobo per share were commended to shareholders.
The Chairman said the company had continued to encounter difficulties and delays, due to inadequate import licences for importation of essential raw materials, equipment and spare parts.
Such problems, he said, had limited the qualities of such basic raw materials as lube oils, chemicals, solvents and other specialised products required by the
Military university to be established
Nigeria's first military university takes off in September in Kaduna, northern Nigeria, the Head of State, Maj-Gen Muhammad Buhari has announced in Kaduna.Addressing a passing-out parade of army, air force and navy cadets at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Maj- Gen Buhari said that the NDA would be converted to a university and award degrees in science and technology. He said that the institution would, in spite of its new status, remain "first and foremost a military institution and will continue to conduct its activities in accordance with the military tradition as well as retain its military character".
Deaths in land clash
Four persons died and 22 others were injured in a fresh boundary clash on 25th June between two communities in Plateau State in Nigeria. According to the police, fighting broke out between the Pushit community in Pankshin local government area and the people in Mangu local government area over ownership of a Mrs Balogun who is also commissioner stretch of land.Although life has returned to normal in the area, policemen have been sent to keep the peace while investigations continue. Last month, four persons were admitted to the Pankshin general hospital following a boundary fight between the two communities.
Meanwhile, the State Governor, Navy Capt Samuel Atukum, who visited the area has condemned in strong terms those who took the law into their hands. He said a committee would soon be set up to investigate the incident and expressed disappointment at the apparent inability of the two district heads in the disputed area to arrange a truce.
