Foreign News
Kenya to Pay Subsidy Arrears Amid Tackling Fuel Shortages
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Kenya government officials on Monday said the government would pay subsidy arrears to petrol retailers this week as it seeks to allay fears of potential fuel shortages and forestall crisis.
Kenya was reeling from a surge in crude oil prices since 2021 which have forced it to start subsiding retail prices like other frontier economies.
The government of East Africa’s biggest economy rolled out a fuel subsidy in April 2021 to cushion consumers from the surge in the price of oil in international markets.
It has so far spent 36 billion shillings ($313 million) subsidising fuel, which has helped stabilise prices at the pump and keep inflation within the government’s preferred band.
Andrew Kamau, Principal Secretary in the petroleum and mining ministry told Reuters that the latest jump has caused cash flow problems at some smaller fuel retailers.
Kamau said it has led to supply shortages, and the hardships have been compounded by delays in the payment of subsidies to the companies by the government.
He added that the government owes the companies 13 billion shillings which will be settled this week.
“This is an artificial shortage,” Kamau said.
One consumer said she had to visit several stations around the capital Nairobi on Monday morning before finding one with fuel.
She said continued shortages would force her company to take its vehicle fleet off the road.
“We will start parking the cars at home,” said Evelyn Njenga, whose family operates a fleet of commercial pick-up trucks, as she waited in a long line of vehicles.
Apart from straining the government’s finances, higher oil prices also drove up inflation by a half percentage point in march and it has also frustrated policymakers.
“Prices at 100 dollars a barrel are completely beyond the realm of understanding,” Patrick Njoroge, Kenya’s central bank governor, told a news conference last week, calling on rich nations to rein in prices. (Reuters/NAN)
Foreign News
At Least 5 Dead in Fresh Russian Attacks on Ukraine
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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)Foreign News
Electricity Consumers Laud Jos Disco for Exceptional Service in Benue
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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.Foreign News
2 Pilots Killed in France as Military Jets Crash Mid-flight
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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)