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Yetu Microfinance depositors move to NMB Bank

admin — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 10:00:01 +0000

Yetu Microfinance depositors move to NMB Bank

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admin Tue, 06/13/2023 - 10:00

Thursday, May 25, 2023

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The Citizen

Original Article

Yetu Microfinance depositors move to NMB Bank

Summary

This is the second time within two years that NMB Bank Plc is coming to the rescue of financial institutions that have had their operations suspended due to capital adequacy levels as the consolidation continues in the banking sector.

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Dar es Salaam. The depositors and other creditors of Yetu Microfinance Bank Plc will soon start accessing banking services through NMB Bank, thanks to a decision for the transfer of assets and liabilities by the banking sector regulator.

The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) announced on Tuesday that it was transferring the assets and liabilities of Yetu Microfinance Bank Plc to NMB Bank Plc as a formal resolution option for the suspended microfinance outfit.

In December, 2022, the BoT placed Yetu Microfinance Bank under statutory administration following the company’s failure to meet regulatory requirements regarding liquidity and capital adequacy.

BOT extends administration period of Yetu Microfinance

“To permit Yetu Microfinance Bank to continue with banking operations while under a state of shortage of liquidity and undercapitalisation is detrimental to the interest of depositors and poses a systemic risk to the stability of the financial system,” the BoT said in December last year.

As such, the BoT suspended the bank’s board of directors and management and appointed a statutory manager to manage the affairs of the bank. During the period, the bank was not permitted to open for normal business pending the determination of an appropriate resolution option.

And on Tuesday, the BoT said that, working in line with Section 59 (4) of the Banking and Financial Institutions Act, 2006, it had completed the process of determining the resolution option of Yetu Microfinance Bank Plc and transferred the assets and liabilities to NMB Bank Plc. “Depositors and other creditors of Yetu Microfinance Bank Plc will be informed in due course.

“Of course, how and when they will commence accessing banking services through NMB Bank Plc,” the BoT says, calling upon all borrowers to continue paying their maturing obligations as per the terms and conditions of the agreements.

This is the second time within two years that NMB Bank Plc is coming to the rescue of financial institutions that have had their operations suspended due to capital adequacy levels as the consolidation continues in the banking sector.

In March, 2021, the BoT also transferred all assets and liabilities of China Commercial Bank Limited (CCB) to NMB Bank Plc.

That came four months after the BoT took over and placed the CCB under statutory administration after it failed to meet regulatory requirements regarding capital adequacy.

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The dark side of Tanzania’s unlikely GovTech success

admin — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 05:00:01 +0000

The dark side of Tanzania’s unlikely GovTech success

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admin Mon, 06/12/2023 - 05:00

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Original Publisher

The Citizen

Original Article

The dark side of Tanzania’s unlikely GovTech success

Summary

In conclusion, while it is important to acknowledge Tanzania’s GovTech success, and I hope to get opportunities to explore this subject even further, but it is also essential to address the challenges and limitations that exist

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Tanzania’s unlikely success in the GovTech field should make us all take notice. Outstanding success requires sustained effort. We ought to take stock of our accomplishments and celebrate them.

There are many reasons for doing that. Change is a gradual process, and acknowledging even modest successes can keep people motivated. Positivity can inspire people to push for further improvements. But, above all, this provides an opportunity for reflection, helping us pinpoint the actions that influence success and failure. That knowledge can then be applied to future programs.

At the moment, one of the biggest takeaways is that when people choose progress, progress becomes inevitable. Think of how the West and East coasts of America were connected. Think of how Fidel Castro eliminated illiteracy in Cuba in nine months. Think of how China pulled 700 million people out of poverty. In our case, if it is possible in GovTech, it is also possible in agriculture, industry, power, and water supply, and so on. That said, we also need to view Tanzania’s GovTech progress a bit soberly. Not everything that shines is all gold.

By 2017, Max Malipo offered the most comprehensive payment service in Tanzania. The government contracted Max Malipo to collect payments for Luku, water bills, Dart, road licenses, municipal taxes, property tax, hotel levies, and city service levies. Max Malipo was flying high, but because of its excessive reliance on government contracts for expansion, the company was perched on a dry tree branch. When the company tried to recruit overseas investors, the potential partners turned them down, highlighting that very risk.

There were question marks about how Max Malipo won all those contracts and who stood to gain from them. Some sources hint at foul play. There were also questions about Max Malipo’s effectiveness.

The Magufuli government’s solution was cold-blooded. They sent engineers to Max Malipo to learn about the system, then – for lack of a better word – seized the servers to give way to GePG. Barring Max Malipo’s foreign operations, the firm could have been buried for good. Now, several people I have talked to admire GePG technical ingenuity on a number of issues, but it can be said that GePG was founded on Max Malipo’s ashes. Such is the cost of Tanzania’s GovTech progress.

Such stories abound. Often, these are stories of regulators taking the role of the industry by usurping opportunities available to private companies. The outcome is huge redundancy and information silos, which hinder industry progress. By some counts, over 700 systems have been deployed, where 70 percent are redundant. This is where you have, for example, different water authorities deploying different systems to do the same thing.

Moreover, what happens after the current phase is accomplished? In other words, how are we going to use the knowledge and experience we would have gained through these deployments? Are government engineers going to start deploying solutions for other governments out there and create further employments in Tanzania?

The current approach, while yielding success, has its dark side that cannot be ignored. One pressing issue is the high cost associated with development. Programmers spend months in camps developing solutions. Today, Morogoro serves as the new hub for government project software development. The financial burden is exacerbated by the absence of industry rivalry and the prolonged development times required to obtain per diems.

Another drawback is the perception that government systems are treated as investments rather than tools for providing public services. The National Data Centre, charges unwarranted fees, prompting institutions to opt for standalone servers instead. Similarly, Nida charges substantial amounts for user authentication services. These barriers hinder the widespread adoption of these systems and limit their effectiveness in serving the public.

I don’t think if we have thought our strategy through. There seems to be a lack of an overarching vision driving these developments. In some cases, it feels like the right things are being done with wrong motives. There is, therefore, the need to develop a clear long-term goal to lead to sustainable results. Without a clear vision, we might end up with low-quality, barely scalable, redundant, and highly porous systems from the security point of view. That is how you end up with systems with outdated information, limited support, and little utilisation.

In my opinion, the GovTech development craze should have as one of its primary objectives to spur the local software development industry. There is so much to be gained from such a development. Therefore, we need to involve the best brains in the industry and give space for the private sector. Breaking down silos and fostering cooperation can lead to more innovative solutions and sustained growth of the software development industry.

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News

Govt funds belong to the public, says ACT

admin — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 14:00:01 +0000

Govt funds belong to the public, says ACT

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admin Thu, 06/08/2023 - 14:00

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Original Publisher

The Citizen

Original Article

Govt funds belong to the public, says ACT

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Unguja. Opposition Party ACT-Wazalendo on Sunday reiterated the party’s stance of calling for transparency in public spending, saying they are mandated to hold the government to account.

Speaking at a rally on a rainy evening at the Gara Gara grounds, Mjini Magharib, the party’s vice chairman, Mr. Othman, said ACT Wazalendo will continue to question the use of public funds as it is his duty and the party's duty to speak for the people because without transparency, no country can develop.

"Government funds belong to the public and not to individuals, so any use of public funds requires greater transparency and integrity in the interest of the country and the people themselves, and that is why the CAG’s office is given hundreds of millions to control that expenditure," he said

According to him, it does not mean that because they are in the Government of National Unity, they should accept everything that is going on, especially at the top level of governance.

"We are often ridiculed for being in the government, but the party and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar (SMZ) are two different entities; it is our duty to hold the government to account, and through these rallies we shall ask these questions on behalf of the people whose voice needs to be heard out there," he said.

Explaining about the new Zanzibar agenda, he said the type of union that Tanzania adopted in 1964 makes even issues that are not supposed to be union matters, and that is why he sees the upcoming constitutional reforms as an opportunity to rectify some of the anomalies in the setup.

"It is a very thin line, but it has to be corrected for both parties to enjoy the fruits of the union." In the seventh phase, the Zanzibar government reached an agreement with the Chinese to construct a port here, and the funds were available, but the one with that authority, which is the union president, said no, and we ended with no port!" said Mr. Othman Masoud.

Speaking earlier, Ismail Jussa, member of the Central Committee of ACT Wazalendo, said the government has continued to make promises to the people as if the country is still in the election campaign, something he said was not a good sign.

He questioned the awarding of tenders, which he referred to as dubious and suspicious, which include the ongoing renovation of the Amani Stadium in Zanzibar and the criteria that the government used to choose the bidders who were given the job.

"The renovation of the Amani Stadium is set to improve its current seating capacity from 12,000 to 15,000, but at what cost?" he questioned.

On the other hand, he questioned the basis of the privatization of the management of Malindi Port operations and the procedure used to reach those decisions.

This was the second of the 12 rallies that the party is set to hold in both Pemba and Unguja in the next two months, with the next rally set for Sunday, June 4, in Paje.

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How Tourism, AfCFTA can boost Nigeria’s economy – Minister

admin — Sun, 04 Jun 2023 13:00:01 +0000

How Tourism, AfCFTA can boost Nigeria’s economy – Minister

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admin Sun, 06/04/2023 - 13:00

Thursday, May 25, 2023

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Business Archives | Premium Times Nigeria

Original Article

How Tourism, AfCFTA can boost Nigeria’s economy – Minister

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a significant development for the African continent and presents a tremendous opportunity for Nigeria to increase its trade volume, encourage tourism and boost its economy, Adeniyi Adebayo, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, has said.

Mr Adebayo disclosed this while delivering his speech during the National Tourism Transportation Summit (NTTS) and Expo recently held in Abuja.

The NTTS is a foremost tourism and transportation industries event anchored by the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, the minister said the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government has declared the year 2023 as the year for the Acceleration of AfCFTA Implementation.

“Therefore, Nigeria must seize the immense opportunities presented by the AfCFTA to drive economic growth and development.

“By harnessing its tourism potential, advancing aviation and transportation, promoting trade export, and fostering domestic industrialization, Nigeria can position itself as a key player in intra-African trade.

“Collaboration, both domestically and across the continent, will be crucial in overcoming the barriers and challenges that lie ahead,” he said.

Outlining Nigeria’s strategic approach to playing and winning in the AfCFTA, Mr Adebayo said Nigeria must invest in enhancing its tourist infrastructure, including accommodations and transportation networks, to attract both domestic and international visitors.

He explained that Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and diverse traditions should be showcased through targeted marketing campaigns and the creation of cultural festivals, thereby increasing tourism traffic and revenue.

“By promoting its unique destinations, including historical sites, national parks, and natural wonders. Nigeria should also partner with other African countries to promote cross-border tourism, promote intra-African travel and establish a single visa regime for the continent.

“Nigeria’s natural wonders, national parks, and wildlife reserves present excellent opportunities for ecotourism and adventure tourism, which can significantly boost tourism revenue and create employment opportunities,” he said.

Air Travel

The minister added that Nigeria should prioritize the improvement of air connectivity by investing in modern airports, air traffic control systems, and airlines, which will facilitate travel within Africa and beyond.

“Developing and upgrading road, rail, and water transport networks will enhance connectivity within Nigeria and foster regional trade and transportation links, thereby leveraging the benefits of the AfCFTA.

“Streamlining customs procedures, reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks, and investing in efficient logistics systems will enhance Nigeria’s role as a transportation hub, attracting businesses and fostering trade across the continent,” he said.

Mr Adebayo said Nigeria must also focus on diversifying its export products beyond oil, exploring opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, and services, to tap into the growing demand within the AfCFTA market.

READ ALSO: AfDB to spend $2bn on AfCFTA infrastructure projects

“Meeting international quality standards and complying with trade regulations will enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness and allow its industries to thrive within the AfCFTA.

“Encouraging innovation and investing in research and development will drive domestic industrialization, leading to the production of higher value-added goods and services for export,” he said.

He added that in 2019, the African tourism market was worth an estimated $169 billion and supported 24 million jobs.

He said while this is laudable, domestic, and regional contribution only accounts for 55 per cent. Covid-19 has shown that markets must develop internal resilience, and so for the African tourism sector, intra-African tourism must improve, he said.

“Under the AfCFTA some progress is being made, for example, since January 1st, 2023, Kenyans can now live in and enjoy South Africa without a visa for three months a year at most.

“However, we must note that Nigeria is somewhat leading the front, as citizens of all African countries can access Nigeria’s visa-on-arrival service. While this is laudable, Nigeria must move from visa on arrival to no visa for African business persons,” Mr Adebayo said.

In his address, Olusegun Awolowo, executive secretary of the National Action Committee on AfCFTA, said the Nigerian government is committed to leveraging the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA to attract investment, foster cross-border trade, develop tourism sector, and promote inclusive economic growth that addresses the issues of unemployment, underemployment, and multidimensional poverty in the country.

He explained that the recent discovery to unlock Nigeria potentials is evident in the Nigeria – DRC Trade and Investment opportunity intiative.

“In 2021, trade between Nigeria and Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) represented less than 0.1 per cent of the total trade of each country. There are 12 major products imported to the DRC from Europe, South America and a few African countries,” he said.

He said DRC imports over $200 million worth of poultry meat from North America and Europe.

Africa

Business

IDB urges action on nearshoring possibilities

admin — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 14:30:01 +0000

IDB urges action on nearshoring possibilities

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admin Mon, 06/20/2022 - 14:30

Thursday, June 9, 2022

Original Publisher

Business Archives - Barbados Today

Original Article

IDB urges action on nearshoring possibilities

Governments and businesses in Latin America and the Caribbean are being urged to take advantage of nearshoring opportunities before it is too late.

This call has come from President of the Inter-American Development Bank Mauricio Claver-Carone, who indicated on Tuesday that the region had the potential to increase its exports by close to US$80 billion annually by seizing short-term opportunities in nearshoring.

“Today, let’s be honest, Latin America and the Caribbean is lagging other parts of the world in its global participation, but we estimate that the region would experience an annual increase of nearly US$80 billion annually in exports by seizing short-term nearshoring opportunities,” he said.

Nearshoring is the outsourcing of business processes to companies or setting up of business in countries near to target markets. Claver-Carone argued that the pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine were “triggering adjustments to commercial ties and adding inflationary pressures”, which was in turn driving the urgency for realignment in trade.

“We have before us a once in a generation opening for global trade insertion and nearshoring, and the moment to seize that is now. If we lose it we are not going to see it in any of our lifetimes. The stars have never been more aligned for Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Claver-Carone.

“Opportunities that fall by the way side amount to little more than wishful thinking, and what all of us need today is action not rhetoric . . . We need action,” he said. “That is key. The opportunity exists. It is there today, and doing so, particularly to the benefit of Latin America and the Caribbean, is not a geopolitical issue. It is about creating jobs, investments and opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean first and foremost,” he said.

The IDB official was addressing the opening of an inaugural ministers and CEOs forum on trade and investment on the margins of the 9th summit of the Americas, which is taking place in Los Angeles, California. The historic meeting brought together ministers from some 20 countries and representatives
of more than 100 multinational companies to discuss issues relating to trade and investment in Latin America and the Caribbean.

During the trade and investment forum, officials were expected to consider the reforms and investments that countries in the Caribbean and Latin America can make to better attract private sector investments and “build out the supply chains that are waiting to take shape”, consider how trade is environmentally and socially sustainable and explore the issue of trade and digitalisation, said Claver-Carone.

He indicated that investment indicators were going down for China but going up for Latin America and the Caribbean, as he called on leaders to “depoliticise nearshoring, depoliticise commerce and depoliticise trade”.

“Depoliticise it, this is not a political issue. This is about growth and investment, a unique opportunity to propel new partnerships with the international private sector to achieve the growth and development that we need in these . . . times. For all of us, it is abundantly clear that to firmly establish medium and long-term growth, the region needs more public-private corporation and a clear focus on the issues we are discussing here today – the essential elements for a modern trade agenda and for fostering investment and expanding a sustainable international commerce,” he said.

He added the region had a “long-standing potential and vision to recognise the ripening possibilities” in trade and investment, but insisted that to grab hold of the opportunities “firstly, we need to reconfigure regional value chains and improve nearshoring partnerships within the Americas and across Europe”.

“Currently more than 50 per cent of the world’s trade happens within global value chains and participating in them bring both economic and social benefits,” he said, while indicating that other benefits include increased productivity, increase in GDP per capita, better paying jobs and employment opportunities for more women.

“We also need a modern trade agenda for Latin America and the Caribbean and for the hemisphere at large to help all of us connect the dots to what could be and what should be,” he added.

Pledging the IDB’s continued support, Claver-Carone said based on the outcomes of Tuesday’s discussions, the IDB would develop and create an action plan based on the input from representatives of the countries and businesses, for how the institution will offer more innovative solutions in the public and private sector for greater investment, trade and integration.(PR)

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CHINA: Zim medicine student savours freedom, diversity in Xinjiang

admin — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 08:00:01 +0000

CHINA: Zim medicine student savours freedom, diversity in Xinjiang

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admin Mon, 06/20/2022 - 08:00

Saturday, May 28, 2022

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Diaspora Archives - NewZimbabwe.com

Original Article

CHINA: Zim medicine student savours freedom, diversity in Xinjiang

By Xinhua

Zimbabwean student George Tabengwa has been studying medicine in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region for about four years, and one thing has remained constant during that time.

“My first impression of Xinjiang is also the lasting impression: a safe, free, beautiful and diverse place,” said the 24-year-old.

Now a senior student at Xinjiang Medical University in Urumqi, the regional capital, Tabengwa began his ties with Xinjiang in 2018. He obtained a full scholarship to study clinical medicine at the university after completing preparatory courses in China’s Shandong Province.

He knew little about Xinjiang at that time, aside from some sensational reports from Western news organizations. “After I came to Xinjiang, I found that these reports are untrue,” he said.

“I didn’t see any problems here. The place is safe. Everyone is free to do what they want to do,” said Tabengwa. “I also enjoy my studies and life here, including diverse cultures and easy access to different kinds of food.”

Among the key attractions for the student is the region’s ethnic and cultural diversity.

“My classmates come from different ethnic groups in China. They often teach me to speak their dialects and we have much fun together,” Tabengwa said.

Tabengwa feels that the people of Xinjiang are united in working for a better life. “It’s a very fair place,” he said. “If you work hard and are diligent, you’re definitely going to get your opportunity and become successful.”

The Zimbabwean student has visited many places in Xinjiang and now considers himself a Xinjiang local. “We foreign students are free to visit any city,” he said. “I have been to places like Korla, Turpan and Hotan. I rode a camel in Turpan for the first time in my life, which was a really unforgettable experience.”

Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, several foreign students in the university have returned to their home countries, but Tabengwa chose to stay.

“My family also wanted me to leave, but I didn’t want to risk my studies,” said Tabengwa. “The result proved I made the right decision. Everything is going well so far, and I haven’t experienced any disruption to my studies.”

He said that his family now knows a lot about Xinjiang. “I often tell them of my experiences here and they love the place as much as I do. My siblings hope to come to Xinjiang or other Chinese regions to study if they get the opportunity.”

As for his future plans, Tabengwa said he is due to start his internship at a local hospital in September.

“I’m also planning to apply for a master’s degree in neurosurgery or cardiothoracic surgery in China,” he said. “I would like to stay here longer.”

The post CHINA: Zim medicine student savours freedom, diversity in Xinjiang appeared first on NewZimbabwe.com.

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UK: Zimbabwe Midwives and Nurses Association commemorates Covid-19 victims

admin — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 08:00:01 +0000

UK: Zimbabwe Midwives and Nurses Association commemorates Covid-19 victims

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admin Mon, 06/20/2022 - 08:00

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

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Diaspora Archives - NewZimbabwe.com

Original Article

UK: Zimbabwe Midwives and Nurses Association commemorates Covid-19 victims

By Staff Reporter

THE global COVID-19 pandemic which began in the later part of 2019 in China, left a huge trail of devastation as it swept across the globe. Nothing was spared; the global economy was brought to its knees as virtually all industries were shut down. Healthcare workers risked their lives as they battled to save dying patients on the wards and in Intensive Care Units with little or no protection. As a result, many lost their lives during the pandemic and those that survived suffered a lot of psychological trauma. It is with this in mind that ZiMNA-UK held a remembrance and commemoration day in honour of those heroes that lost their lives because of exposure to the virus while discharging their duties.

ZiMNA-UK is a charitable organisation that was formed to support nurses and midwives from Zimbabwe working in the UK. The chairperson for ZiMNA is Jesca Gudza; the outgoing vice-chairperson is Lucia Vambe and the new vice chairperson is Jabu Chikore.

The event was held at Sketchley Grange Hotel in Hinckley, Leicestershire, on the 28th of May 2022. Ministers of the word, Pastor Zendera and Evangelist Mutema, led the commemoration by providing the word of encouragement. Nurses shared their experiences during the pandemic. They made huge sacrifices by looking after patients with little or no protection, especially when the pandemic started. Many have been affected mentally and required admission into psychiatric units.

Jesca Gudza, the chairperson of the association, explained how ZiMNA was formed, the vision of the organisation and its successes. ZiMNA wishes to celebrate every year the nurses that lost their lives due to COVID-19. Besides providing an advocacy for nurses in the UK, ZiMNA remains focused on the delivery of healthcare in Zimbabwe. ZiMNA has managed to source beds and equipment for Ngomahuru hospital, a psychiatric hospital in Masvingo, Zimbabwe. They are appealing for £25, 000 to ship the equipment to Zimbabwe. Those that can help can get in touch with ZiMNA through their email address, enquiries@zimna.co.uk

At the end of the event, the leadership of ZiMNA led the attendees in the release of balloons in remembrance of the heroes that lost their lives during the COVID-19.

Diaspora Insurance was one of the main sponsors of the event. Diaspora Insurance, being a key pillar of the African diaspora community, has been sponsoring events organised by the various African diaspora communities in remembrance of those that died during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their key product, the Diaspora Funeral Cash Plan (DFCP), made a huge impact on the African diaspora community during the pandemic. Families that lost their loved ones during the pandemic immediately got financial intervention to meet end of life expenses. Since borders were shut down during the lockdown, this meant that no body repatriation was happening. Policies that only provide body repatriation were rendered useless, but with a cash cover like DFCP, families were given options of laying their loved ones to rest in the diaspora. The cash also helped families to cover unanticipated expenses like isolation in hotels upon their return from Africa.

The pandemic seems to have gone but its long-term effects will be with us for a long time. Those that were affected will continue to need our support.

IMAGES

Joy Kapesa

Evangelist Mutema

ZiMNA UK executives

The post UK: Zimbabwe Midwives and Nurses Association commemorates Covid-19 victims appeared first on NewZimbabwe.com.

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Covid-19 spreads with great force in 28 provinces

admin — Sun, 19 Jun 2022 22:50:01 +0000

Covid-19 spreads with great force in 28 provinces

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admin Sun, 06/19/2022 - 22:50

Friday, June 17, 2022

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Local – Dominican Today

Original Article

Covid-19 spreads with great force in 28 provinces

Santo Domingo, DR
Between one and 200 new cases of the Covid-19 virus were reported yesterday in most of the country’s provinces, leaving only Barahona, Elías Piña, Monseñor Nouel, and Peravia with no reports of new infections in the last 24 hours.

However, it should be noted that between the bulletin issued by the Ministry of Public Health on Wednesday and yesterday, Thursday, the provinces that do not report positive cases were not tested for any significant diagnostic tests.

In Barahona, for Thursday’s bulletin, only three tests were done, and they were negative; in Elías Piña, only one test was done, and it was negative; in Monseñor Nouel, only one negative test was done, and in Peravia, no new test was reported.

Last Wednesday’s bulletin registered 101 positive cases in Peravia, but in yesterday’s report, no new tests were done.

At the national level, the country reported 903 new positive cases of Covid-19, captured in 7,283 samples processed, of which 40 were PCR and 7,243 antigen samples.

Positivity in 15.21%.

Out of every 100 samples processed yesterday, more than 15 were positive, placing the daily positivity at 15.21%. The accumulated positivity for the last four weeks showed a slight increase, reaching 9.24% yesterday, while it had been reported at 8.75% the previous day.

According to yesterday’s epidemiological report, the National District reported 199 new positive diagnoses; the province of Santo Domingo said 193 cases; Puerto Plata, 130 cases; Santiago, 55 and La Altagracia reported 47 new infections, while the other provinces with positive reports registered less than 40 cases.

Deaths from the disease continued at 4,382 deaths, as no new deaths were reported yesterday, with a case fatality rate of 0.74%.

Infectious cases
The country has registered 3,576 active cases of the virus and a total of 594,964 positive diagnoses since March 2020 to date, according to the report of epidemiological bulletin number 819 released yesterday by the General Directorate of Epidemiology of the Ministry of Public Health.

Hospitalized

As of yesterday, the country reports 207 patients hospitalized due to the disease caused by the Covid-19 virus, occupying 8.7% of the available beds.

Yesterday, 30 patients were admitted to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds, three under ventilation, with occupancy rates of 5.1% and 0.6%, respectively.

According to the latest sequencing of positive samples analyzed at the Dr. Defilló National Laboratory, two subvariants of the Covid-19 omicron variant, BA.1 and BA.2, are circulating in the country.

Within the risk groups, the system reports that the virus has been detected in 71,345 children under 20 years of age, 1,885 pregnant women, and 2,337 health care workers.

In 23.09% of the deceased, it is reported that they had hypertension as an underlying disease, and in 14.45%, diabetes.

To date, 3,425,307 laboratory tests have been processed in the country to rule out or confirm the presence of the virus.

The coronavirus causing Covid-19 broke out in the People’s Republic of China in December 2019 and quickly spread to the rest of Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and Africa.

The new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has resulted in 537 million infected and more than six million deaths worldwide.

APPOINTS
Main hotspots
The National District continues to be the main infectious focus of Covid-19, with a record of 199 cases yesterday, followed by Santo Domingo province, with 193 cases.

The tourist provinces of Puerto Plata had 130 cases and La Altagracia, 47.

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Video: Regiment Welcomes GoToBermuda Yacht

admin — Sun, 19 Jun 2022 15:10:01 +0000

Video: Regiment Welcomes GoToBermuda Yacht

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admin Sun, 06/19/2022 - 15:10

Monday, June 13, 2022

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Bernews » Entertainment

Original Article

Video: Regiment Welcomes GoToBermuda Yacht

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race fleet arrived in Bermuda today [June 13], with Visit Sanya, China crossing the finish line in first and the GoToBermuda being welcomed by the Royal Bermuda Regiment band after they placed second. Speaking from on board after finishing the race, GoToBermuda AQP Max Rivers said: “ We are […]

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Caribbean

Queries raised on Sh32bn fibre optic project

admin — Sun, 19 Jun 2022 08:50:01 +0000

Queries raised on Sh32bn fibre optic project

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admin Sun, 06/19/2022 - 08:50

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

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Politics

Original Article

Queries raised on Sh32bn fibre optic project

Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu is on the spot for failing to do a forensic audit on the procurement and operations of the Sh32 billion fibre optic project, in spite of requests from Parliament.

This came as the auditor-general flagged Sh12.54 billion in foreign borrowing from China to finance various projects, among them National Fibre Optic Backbone Infrastructure (Nofbi), under the Information Communication Technology ministry led by Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru.

The fibre optic project was undertaken by the State Department for ICT and Innovation to enhance the government information system, with financing through loans from the Exim Bank of China.

While adopting the 2017/18 report of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on the audited accounts of the national government, the National Assembly passed a resolution that the auditor-general undertakes the forensic audit on Nofbi and report to the House within three months after the adoption of the PAC report.

The 2017/18 PAC report was adopted by the National Assembly towards the end of 2020.

Waiting for audit report

However, almost two years down the line, the auditor-general is yet to present the forensic audit report to the House or explain the delays, even as PAC chaired by Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, remained relentless.

“Within 30 days upon adoption of this report, the auditor-general should transmit the report on the forensic audit to the National Assembly without further delay,” reads the 2019/20 PAC report on the audited accounts of the national government.

The report was adopted by the National Assembly on June 9, 2022, the day it adjourned and proceeded on recess ahead of the August 9, 2022, General Election.

Mr Wandayi was, however, bullish that regardless the duration the forensic audit takes, the truth will have to come out one day.

“It is just a case of delayed justice. Ultimately, we will know the individuals who have been siphoning money from Kenyans,” said Mr Wandayi.

Handpicking faulted

Already, the auditor-general has faulted the ICT State Department for handpicking and awarding the contract to Huawei Technologies Company Ltd, a Chinese firm, without following the procurement process.

Details of exactly how much the Nofbi project has cost the taxpayer remain hazy, hence the forensic audit.

However, the 2017/18 audited accounts of the ICT State Department show that the first phase of the project, which was awarded to Huawei Technologies Company at Sh5 billion, was initiated in 2010 and completed in 2012, and may not have had procurement issues.

Subsequent extensions in scope and geographical coverage were automatically granted to the contractor without undertaking any procurement process in line with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act of 2015.

Some of the extensions were yet to be completed and commissioned as at June 30, 2020.

No technical report

Further, the audit states that the technical report for supplies of the project to confirm adherence to the specifications was not provided and the operational acceptance certificate was signed by the project manager and an administrator whose technical capacity could not be confirmed.

Phase II of the Nofbi contract cost the government Sh7.2 billion, with its extension costing a further Sh9.8 billion, both in loans from the Exim Bank of China.

Later, loans in excess of Sh10 billion were procured towards Nofbi, but whose details the ICT state department has not made public despite numerous requests.

The loans were procured in renminbi (RMB), the official currency in China with the yuan as its base unit.

Loans not recorded

Curiously, the 2019/20 audit report notes that the loans have not been recorded in the authority’s financial statements or accounting records.

“Under the circumstances, the legality, propriety and justification of the loans could not be ascertained,” the audit report says.

Phase II was signed between the ICT ministry and Huawei on December 17, 2014 to extend the government information system from counties to citizen information centres in the 290 constituencies.

Interestingly, representatives of Huawei (Kenya), while appearing before the committee in early 2021, disclosed that they were not aware of the contract and that efforts to get the contract documents from the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) had proved futile.

This raises serious issues that the auditor-general must deal with in the forensic audit, including whether the Chinese firm was given Phase II of the contract without any basis of discussions now that the representatives claimed not to know about it.

Siphoning public funds

Yesterday, Mr Wandayi said that Nofbi was a scheme that was well designed to enable Huawei to come on board exclusively and enable money to be drawn by people hell-bent on siphoning public funds.

“I would like to assure that every single soul who got involved in this deal, right from Huawei and the ministry, among others, will be brought to book. Kenyans need justice,” said Mr Wandayi.

The audit report further shows that the Sh12.54 billion relates to direct payments made by a Chinese Bank to the contractor for undertaking the implementation of Konza Data Centre and Smart City Facilities Project.

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Waiting for audit report

Handpicking faulted

No technical report

Loans not recorded

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