February 2009

Uganda: Activists Urge Govt to Conserve Historical Sites

February 11, 2009 - 00:53

Uganda: Activists Urge Govt to Conserve Historical Sites - MEMBERS of the Historical Buildings Conservation Trust have asked the Government to make a laws to protect the sites from demolition. [AA Construction]

Africa : New Architecture Journal to be launched in South Africa

February 10, 2009 - 12:27



Statement of Intent : Architecture Africa Journal - Regional Criticism

The journal will encompass work from regions across the African continent - from the southern shores of the Mediterranean down to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost reach of our vast landmass. The publication will be edited by an editorial collective which will operate in collaboration with guest editors and local individuals up and down the continent. For logistic reasons, the collective will be based in Johannesburg, South Africa. While we have more frequent appearances in mind, the journal will initially be published in alternate months.

Angola: Provincial Governor Inaugurates Hotel

February 9, 2009 - 21:31

Angola: Provincial Governor Inaugurates Hotel - A new two-star hotel dubbed "Salala", was on Saturday inaugurated in the northern Uíge province, by the local governor, Mawete João Baptista. [AA Urbanisation]

Israeli closures prevent import of aid, cement to Gaza

February 9, 2009 - 21:29

Israeli closures prevent import of aid, cement to Gaza

GAZA CITY (IRIN) - Aid agencies are becoming increasingly frustrated with the difficulties of getting humanitarian supplies into the Gaza Strip. "For us to move ahead with rehabilitation and repairs, we must get building materials into Gaza," Christopher Gunness, a spokesman for the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA), told IRIN by telephone. "Two hundred and twenty-one schools for 200,000 children only have 40 percent of their books because we can't get paper and glue into Gaza." [Palestine]

Nigeria: NIQS to Tackle Building Industry Challenges

February 9, 2009 - 21:27

Nigeria: NIQS to Tackle Building Industry Challenges - The newly appointed chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Alhaji Muhammad Kabir Olaiyiwola has said that his administration will collaborate with members of the institute and other sister organisations in the building industry to move the nation forward. [AA Construction]

Nigeria: Yaba LCDA Begins Demolition of Illegal Structures

February 9, 2009 - 21:27

Nigeria: Yaba LCDA Begins Demolition of Illegal Structures - Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State, would soon begin the demolition of illegal structures in the area, to compliment efforts of the state government at making the state a Mega City. [AA Construction]

Nigeria: 1 Dies, 18 Escape As Building Collapses in Kano

February 9, 2009 - 21:26

Nigeria: 1 Dies, 18 Escape As Building Collapses in Kano - It was another building collapse yesterday as two-storey building under construction partially collapsed killing one while 18 others narrowly escaped. The Kano State Fire Service, which confirmed the incident said the ugly incident occurred along Murtala Muhammed Way by Tafawa Balewa Road in Kano metropolis. [AA Construction]

International : African companies listed in "Occupation Industry" Database

February 9, 2009 - 01:40

The Coalition of Women for Peace in Israel has launched a new database of companies directly involved in the Israeli occupation. This online database reflects an on-going grassroots investigation effort by the Coalition of Women for Peace, a leading Israeli feminist peace organization dedicated to ending the occupation and reaching a just peace in Israel/ Palestine. Rigorous research, including site visits and cross references of documents, have resulted in a database of several hundred international and Israeli companies directly involved in the Israeli occupation. During 2009 we intend to upload hundreds more of companies which are under investigation.

The Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Gaza and the Golan Heights is fueled by corporate interests. Israeli companies and multinational corporations deal in real estate; develop the Israeli infrastructure and settlements in the Palestinian occupied territories and the Golan Heights; contribute to the construction and operation of an ethnic separation system, including checkpoints, walls and roads; design and supply equipment and tools used in the control and repression of the civilian population under occupation.

South Africa : Government considers interventions to protect SA from economic crisis

February 8, 2009 - 15:15

South Africa : Government considers interventions to protect SA from economic crisis - By Bathandwa Mbola
Parliament - Government and its social partners are considering various interventions which can help minimise the impact of the global economic crisis on the country.
Delivering his first State of the Nation Address on Friday, President Kgalema Motlanthe said the global financial crisis posed a serious danger to South Africa's economy which is strongly integrated into the world economy.
He reported that interactions between the Presidency and leaders of various social partners, have agreed jointly to devise interventions that would minimise the impact of this crisis.
"Firstly, government will continue with its public investment projects, the value of which had increased to R690-billion for the next three years. In this regard, where necessary, we will find creative ways to raise funds," he said.
read more [Freenet Africa ]

Namibia: Eros Girls' Hostel Falling Apart

February 8, 2009 - 15:14

Namibia: Eros Girls' Hostel Falling Apart - THE roof in the hostel of the Eros School for Girls is leaking and water is soaking the halls and some of the rooms. [AA Urbanisation]

Namibia: Parliament Building, Ministries Powerless

February 8, 2009 - 15:13

Namibia: Parliament Building, Ministries Powerless - ELECTRICITY supply to the Office of the Prime Minister, the Foreign Affairs and Information Ministries, Parliament and the Old National Council building will be cut for the whole of today [AA Urbanisation]

Ethiopia: ERA Signs Road Projects Worth 1.8 Billion Birr

February 8, 2009 - 15:12

Ethiopia: ERA Signes Road Projects Worth 1.8 Billion Birr - The Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA) on Tuesday signed agreements with three road construction projects worth over 1.8 billion Birr. [AA Construction]

Uganda: Operation 'No Potholes' on Course - UNRA

February 8, 2009 - 15:11

Uganda: Operation 'No Potholes' on Course - UNRA - Rehabilitaion of major highways is going on well, the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has said. [AA Construction]

Nigeria: Minister Assures on Continuation of 2nd Niger Bridge Project

February 8, 2009 - 15:10

Nigeria: Minister Assures on Continuation of 2nd Niger Bridge Project - The Minister of Works, Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Hassan Muhammad Lawal, has assured that the Federal Government will proceed with the execution of the second Niger bridge project under the Public Private Partnership arrangement regardless of the withdrawal of the Delta and Anambra State Governments from the project. [AA Construction]

Nigeria: Suswam Inspects Makurdi Ring Road Project

February 8, 2009 - 15:09

Nigeria: Suswam Inspects Makurdi Ring Road Project - The Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam, yesterday embarked on an inspection of the Makurdi inner ring road project which the government awarded to Hajiag Construction Limited, last year. [AA Construction]

Nigeria: Enugu to Build 192km Rural Roads

February 8, 2009 - 15:09

Nigeria: Enugu to Build 192km Rural Roads - The Enugu State government says it awarded contracts for the construction of 192 km roads covering more than 22 rural communities. Briefing newsmen at the end of the state executive council meeting yesterday, Mr. Chuks Ugwoke, the Commissioner for Information, said the road contracts were awarded to two reputable construction companies. [AA Construction]

Rwanda: Construction of Kicukiro's $5.5 Million Estate Starts

February 8, 2009 - 15:08

Rwanda: Construction of Kicukiro's $5.5 Million Estate Starts - DN International, a real estate developer has started construction of a $5.5 million (Rwf 3.1 billion) housing project. [AA Construction]

Rwanda: Earthquake-Hit Schools to Be Rebuilt

February 8, 2009 - 15:07

Rwanda: Earthquake-Hit Schools to Be Rebuilt - A year after an earthquake hit Rwanda's Western Province, destroying infrastructure and claiming dozens of lives, a reconstruction drive is due to start this month, a government official said. [AA Construction]

Mozambique: Zambezi Bridge Structurally Complete By June

February 8, 2009 - 15:05

Mozambique: Zambezi Bridge Structurally Complete By June - The contractor responsible for building the new bridge over the Zambezi river in central Mozambique, the Portuguese engineering company Mota Engil, on Thursday guaranteed that that the bridge will be structurally complete by June. [AA Construction]

Liberia: President Sirleaf Commissions 4.2-Kilometer Road in Sinkor

February 8, 2009 - 15:03

Liberia: President Sirleaf Commissions 4.2-Kilometer Road in Sinkor - President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has cut a ribbon marking the official opening of the road in the Sinkor Oldroad Community. [AA Construction]

South Africa : Next phase of EPWP to be launched in March 2009

February 8, 2009 - 14:40

Durban - Phase Two of the government's Expanded Public Works Progamme (EPWP), which will be used as a mechanism to further create job opportunities and contribute to halving unemployment by 2014 is expected to be launched in March.

Addressing the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) in Durban on Tuesday, Public Works Minister Geoff Doidge said R5 billion had been allocated over the Medium Term Expenditure Framework to scale up the EPWP.

"The aim is to create two million full time equivalent jobs for poor and unemployed people in South Africa so as to contribute to halving unemployment by 2014, through the delivery of public and community services," he said.

The Phase Two of the programme will be launched in March 2009 and will target 2014 as per the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals. Implementation is to commence on 1 April 2009.

Minister Doidge affirmed that Phase Two will also have a fiscal incentive for public bodies to create EPWP employment through providing R50 for every person-day of work created, adding that this will be phased in over the next two years to all sectors, provinces and municipalities.

South Africa : Over 2.6 million houses built since 1994

February 8, 2009 - 14:06

Over 2.6mil houses built since 1994 - By Proffesor Ndawonde
Parliament - The Department of Housing has made significant progress towards housing delivery by building more than 2.6 million houses for more than 14 million needy households since 1994.
Delivering his State of the Nation Address at the opening of Parliament on Friday, President Kgalema Motlanthe said: "Government's social programmes have improved the asset base of the poor, in the form of housing with 2.6-million subsidised houses provided."
He further said that female-headed households received a bigger part of the social wage portion over the years.
read more [AA South Africa]

Buried alive

February 8, 2009 - 14:01

Buried alive

"This is at the beginning, when they started digging survivors and bodies out of the rubble," Abu Qusay said, referring to a photo of himself buried up to his shoulders in rubble, his face bloodied. Just a few weeks after being buried alive by the bombing which attacked the building he was in, only a mere scar at his left eyebrow hinted at the ordeal. Eva Bartlett writes from the occupied Gaza Strip. [Palestine]

South Africa: Project launched to address social workers' skills

February 8, 2009 - 13:01

By Gabi Khumalo

Pretoria - The South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) will on Thursday unveil a project which will help ensure that all registered social workers understand and know what is expected of them in their daily professional practice.

The Ethics in Social Work project will be launched in Pretoria by SACSSP in conjunction with the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA).

SACSSP President Marilyn Boitumelo Setlalentoa said the council had embarked on this program of action to empower social workers and alert them to the perils of professional misconduct.

"With the focus worldwide on ethical responsibilities to the communities we serve and society as a whole, it is imperative that we, as a statutory council responsible for the setting of standards, practice and registration of all social service professionals under the auspices of the Professional Board for Social Work, ensure that all registered members understand and know what is expected of them in their daily professional practice," Ms Setlalentoa said.

South Africa : Durban High Court rules in favour of housing policy

February 8, 2009 - 12:59

By Proffesor Ndawonde

Pretoria - The Minister of Housing, Lindiwe Sisulu has described the Durban High Court ruling against Abahlali Basenjondolo Movement SA as a breakthrough in the implementation of the Breaking New Ground housing policy.

On Tuesday, Kwazulu-Natal Judge President Vuka Shabalala dismissed the movement's application against the KwaZulu-Natal Elimination and Prevention of Re-emergence of Slums Act of 2007.

On May 2008, the movement asked the High Court to declare the legislation unconstitutional and in conflict with other housing legislation. It argued that the legislation was inhumane and would lead to random and inhumane evictions of homeless people by the government.

The application was brought against the Minister Sisulu, the Minister of Land Affairs Lulu Xingwana, Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Sibusiso Ndebele and the MEC of Housing and Local Government, Mike Mabuyakhulu.

Responding to the ruling Minister Sisulu said the judgment laid a legal framework for fast tracked housing delivery through the implementation of the Breaking New Ground (BNG) Policy.

Rwanda: Can Someone Pick Up the Trash?

February 5, 2009 - 03:24

Rwanda: Can Someone Pick Up the Trash? - My family just returned from our Christmas vacation in Kampala-the land of Garden City Mall, Speke Munyonyo Resort, Alleygators Bowling Alley, Cineplex Cinema, and boundless biwempe churches and buvera. [AA Urbanisation]

Liberia: Government's Road Construction & Rehabilitation Exercise Takes Center State

February 5, 2009 - 03:22

Liberia: Government's Road Construction & Rehabilitation Exercise Takes Center State - Government's ongoing road construction and rehabilitation program takes center stage tomorrow when Public Works Minister, Loseni Donzo appears on a live radio program - Our Government - Our Voice. [AA Construction]

Nigeria: KWSG Releases N20 Million for Mechanic Village

February 5, 2009 - 00:39

Nigeria: KWSG Releases N20 Million for Mechanic Village - The Kwara State Government has released N20 million for the construction of six mechanic villages within the metropolis. [AA Construction]

Angola: U.S. $12 Million for Road Repairs in Lobito

February 5, 2009 - 00:38

Angola: U.S. $12 Million for Road Repairs in Lobito - The government of Benguela province will disburse over 12 million usdollars in road repairs in the town of Lobito, the local administrator, Amaro Ricardo,disclosed monday. [AA Construction]

Gaza slowly reemerging from the rubble

February 5, 2009 - 00:34

Gaza slowly reemerging from the rubble

UNITED NATIONS (IPS) - The United Nations is urgently appealing for 613 million dollars to aid more than a million desperate civilians in the ruins of Gaza, where schools, hospitals, houses, factories and even farmland were obliterated during the three-week assault by Israeli air and ground forces. At least 1,300 Palestinians were killed and more than 5,300 injured in the war, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Some 21,000 homes were reported destroyed or badly damaged, and more than 50,000 people were displaced into temporary UN shelters. [Palestine]