Foreign News
China Takes Over Ugandan Airport, Other Country’s Assets Over $207million Loan Deal
This came despite reports that President Yoweri Museveni had sent a delegation to Beijing for a renegotiation with the Chinese government over toxic clauses that exposed the East African country.
The Museveni-led Ugandan government had on Tuesday, 17 November 2015, signed an agreement with Exim Bank to borrow $207 million at two per cent upon disbursement.
The loan had a maturity period of 20 years including a seven-year grace period, but it had now appeared that the transaction signed with the Chinese lenders practically means Uganda “surrendered” its most prominent and only international airport.
The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) revealed some provisions in the Financing Agreement with China that exposed Entebbe International Airport and other Ugandan assets to be attached and taken over by Chinese lenders upon negotiation in Beijing.
Uganda, however, sought to renegotiate the deal but the latest visits and pleas to alter the original terms with Chinese authorities were declined.
According to the Daily Monitor, the Ugandan government waived international immunity in the agreement it signed to secure the loans, exposing Entebbe International Airport to take over without international protection.
In desperation, Uganda in March 2021 sent a delegation to Beijing hoping to renegotiate the toxic clauses of the deal but the officials came back empty-handed as China would not allow the terms of the original deal to be varied.
Last week, Uganda’s Finance Minister, Matia Kasaija, apologised to parliament for the “mishandling of the $207 million loan” from the China Exim Bank to expand Entebbe International Airport.
Progress of works at the airport, built in 1972, has reached 75.2 per cent, with two runways having reached overall completion of 100 per cent.
Entebbe International Airport is Uganda’s only international airport and handles over 1.9 million passengers per year. Its seizure by China would greatly dent the legacy of the 77-year-old Museveni, who came to power on the back of an armed uprising in 1986, and expose him to election defeat.Naija360
Russia has attacked Ukraine for the second consecutive night with heavy airstrikes involving various weapon types, initial reports from Ukrainian authorities said on Monday morning.At least five people were killed, two due to a rocket strike on a hotel in Kryvyi Rih and three others due to drone attacks on Zaporizhzhya, they said.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the Russian army once again used long-range bombers, launching cruise missiles. Hypersonic missiles of the Kinzhal (Dagger) type were also fired.The attacks were primarily aimed at Ukraine’s energy system, analysts observed.On Monday, Russia launched an attack on Ukraine involving 127 missiles and cruise missiles, along with over 100 combat drones.This was the highest number reported by the Ukrainian military in two and a half years of conflict. (dpa/NAN)
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
A broad spectrum of electricity customers in Benue State yesterday, commended Jos Electricity Distribution Plc for delivering consistent, stable and reliable services in the region.They gave the commendation during a radio interactive program on Brothers FM and monitored by our correspondent, heralding the launch of a customer consultative forum in Gboko, the traditional capital of the Tiv nation.
His Royal Highness, Ikpa Ahua, representing the paramount ruler of Gboko, led the commendations. He praised the company’s significant improvement in electricity supply over the past few months, noting its positive impact on local businesses.Ahua also appreciated the company’s metering policy, which has increased access to prepaid meters for customers.He however lamented the frequent cases of vandalism of electricity installations and pledged to intensify efforts to safeguard these facilities.Other dignitaries, including Prince Makir Zakpe, Kindred head of Gboko South, Zaki Amachi Terkimbi and Zaki Linus, also commended the company’s efficient service.In his opening remarks, Pastor Emma Ameh who represented the Managing Director, Engr Abdu Bello Mohammed, urged customers to settle their energy bills promptly, given the improvements in service delivery.He emphasized the need for customers to fulfill their obligations to enable the company to continue meeting its energy delivery mandate.Presentations by Lucky Akpobi, Head of Customer Complaints and Relationship Management, and Comrade Ojochide Matthew Agbata, Regional Manager of Makurdi, highlighted the benefits of prepaid meters in resolving billing disputes.Head, Corporate Communications, Dr. Friday Adakole Elijah, emphasized the importance of vigilance in combating energy theft and vandalism, urging customers to report suspicious activities to the company or law enforcement agencies.
Two French pilots died when their military jets collided mid-flight in eastern France, the nation’s Air Force said in a post on X.
The two Rafale fighter jets were returning from a mission in Germany when they collided near Colombey-les-Belles, close to the city of Nancy, Wednesday’s post said.
A third pilot ejected safely and was quickly found, unharmed, the post said.
French President, Emmanuel Macron, expressed the country’s condolences to the families of the two pilots.
The aircraft were stationed in Saint-Dizier, in eastern France.
No details were initially provided regarding the cause of the accident. (dpa/NAN)
Ajuri, Tinubu’s Spokesperson Takes Exit, Cites Mesical Reaaona
ShareSpecial Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President Chief Ajuri Ngelale has quit his job. He said in a...
Fuel Crisis: 1000 CSOs Fault Tinubu’s Economic Team, Want Immediate Reconstitution
ShareBy David Torough, Abuja About 1000 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), under the auspices of Coalition Of Civil Society Organisations (CCSOs),...
Tension in Makurdi Community as NAF Personnel Demolishes Houses, Destroys Rice Farm
ShareThere is growing tension in Ugondu community, Makurdi LGA, Benue state by young people opposed to the demolition of houses...
NELFUND Receives Another N2m Refund from Former Beneficiary
ShareThe Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced the receipt of two million Naira, through a bank draft, given by...
Flood kills 20, displaces 2,000 in Yobe
ShareTwenty persons have died as a result of devastating floods that ravaged Bade Local Government Area of Yobe since early...
Fuel Crisis: BAVCCA Demands Answers from President Tinubu’s Economic Team
Share…Demands Investigation into NNPCL’s $6 Billion Debt By David Torough, Abuja The Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association of Nigeria...
PDP Crisis: Party Chieftain Faults Kogi State Congress, Seeks Redress in Court
ShareFrom Joseph Amedu, Lokoja The Kogi State Congress of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) held last Saturday August 31, in...
Hunger: Cleric Advocates Establishment of More Agriculture Universities
ShareFrom Sylvia Udegbunam Enugu The founder of the Revival City International Christian Retreat and Conference Center, Enugu, Bishop Deborah Macfoy...
FCT Fadama CARES Disburses Grants to 9,170 Beneficiaries
ShareBy Laide Akinboade, Abuja Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud on Thursday revealed that the current...
NAFDAC Destroys Fake, Adulterated Products worth N2.6b in S/East
ShareFrom Sylvia Udegbunam Enugu The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed fake, adulterated and...