February 18, 2022

Former minister of Agriculture Gilberto Lutucuta dies at 80

Luanda – Former minister of Agriculture Gilberto Buta Lutucuta died early Friday in Luanda, victim of illness, a family source told Angop Friday.

Gilberto Lutucuta, 80, was taken to the Sagrada Esperança hospital in Talatona, Luanda, after he complained of malaise.

In addition to the position of Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Mindader), a position he held until 2007, Lutucuta was also Angolan ambassador to Côte D’Ivoire until 2019.

He was also Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, accredited in the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.

Gilberto Lutucuta, father of the Health minister, Sílvia Lutucuta, was born in Bailundo, central Huambo province.

He retired from public life in 2019.

Source: Angola Press News Agency

February 18, 2022

Gas exports yield USD 3.08 billion

Luanda – Angola exported 4.48 million metric tons (MT) of gas in 2021, worth USD 3.08 billion, with the main destination being the Asian market.

The data are contained in the annual results released Thursday by the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, which put the reduction in the volume of the exports at 20.16%, compared to the same period last year.

But the average annual price of USD 688,437/TM positively influenced revenue collection.

In 2020, Angola exported 5.610 million metric tons of gas at an average annual price of USD 198,691, with revenues amounting to USD 1.114 billion.

The main destinations for LNG-Liquefied Natural Gas were India (34.87%), China (14.30%) and Pakistan (12.27%).

While exports of Butane, Propane and Condensates went to China (58.74%), Japan (12.07%), Morocco (8.72%) and France (6.95%).

The only African country that imported butane gas from Angola was the Democratic Republic of Congo, with 1.07% of the total exported.

As for Propane Gas, the main destinations for Exports of this product were China, the Dominican Republic, Japan and France.

While condensate, the main destination was the United States, with 29.59%.

The Asian market continues to be the main destination for Angola’s crude oil and gas exports.

Source: Angola Press News Agency

February 18, 2022

Angolan president sends message to Obiang Nguema

Luanda – Angolan head of State João Lourenço Friday sent a message to his counterpart in Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema.

The content of the message, delivered by the Angolan minister of Foreign Affairs Téte António, has not been disclosed to the press.

It is believed the message is related to the good bilateral cooperation relations between the countries, according to a note from the Angolan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the document, the top diplomat seized the opportunity to convey to the President of Equatorial Guinea his Angolan counterpart and Executive’s desire to seeing Malabo host the Extraordinary Summit of the African Union in May.

The Summit is expected to focus on Terrorism and Coups d’état on the continent.

Téte António said that the meeting was also an opportunity to exchange opinions with President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo on regional issues, as Angola holds the rotating presidency of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), the source added.

Angolan Foreign Minister, who returned to the Angolan capital, Luanda, on Friday afternoon, said that Equatorial Guinea plays an instrumental role in the region and on the African continent.

Source: Angola Press News Agency

February 18, 2022

Learning for All project ensures 620,000 scholarships

Luanda – The Girls Empowerment and Learning for All (PAT2) project, launched Friday will benefit more than one million citizens and distribute 620,000 scholarships, announced the Minister of Education, Luísa Grilo.

The minister announced so at the PAT II dissemination ceremony chaired by by the President of the Republic, João Lourenço.

She stressed that the five-year USD250 million project will cover about six million students, guarantee their multifaceted training.

Luísa Grilo explained that the project is expected to empower Angolan girls with information and sexual and reproductive health services to 300,000 young people, between 12 and 17 years of age, of whom 180,000 girls to ensure a decrease in school-age pregnancy.

The project also aims, according to Luísa Grilo, to prevent gender-based violence, encourage students to stay in and/or return to school through the granting of scholarships for the most vulnerable, ensure the prevention of intimate hygiene and the supply of water and functional bathrooms.

In turn, the regional director of the World Bank, Jean Carret, stated that there will be no investment more impacting for the future of the country than the empowerment of girls, aiming to reduce poverty, boost economic growth and the well-being of Angolans.

For Jean Carret, keeping girls in school and ensuring that they learn is likely to bring far more gains than any other public investment.

Source: Angola Press News Agency

February 18, 2022

President calls for greater attention to education of young women

Luanda – Angolan President of the Republic João Lourenço defended Friday in Luanda greater attention to the education of girls, particularly in rural areas.

The Head of State was speaking at the opening of the public event to publicise the Girl Empowerment and Learning for All Project (PAT II).

According to him, the commitment is justified as the factors linked to gender, especially in the rural areas, negatively impact on the access and permanence in school, as well as school promotion.

He pointed out that the partnership with the World Bank, started in 2013, with the Learning for All Project (PAT I), gains new impetus with the Girl Empowerment Project and Learning for All (PAT II). It is estimated at 250 million dollars for the next five years.

Mitigate the causes of school dropout

President João Lourenço pointed to early pregnancy as one of the main causes of school dropout, and defended the need to combat it through the promotion of sexual education and reproductive health for girls, in the communities where they live.

He said that PAT II aims to contribute to improving the quality of education in Angola, and is a timely response in the particular context of the Covid-19 pandemic, to strengthen the resilience of the education system.

According to the Angolan statesman, this project also aims to find innovative solutions for children, young people and adults, to ensure the right to education.

Call for teamwork

In his speech, João Lourenço also urged teamwork between the ministerial departments of Education, Health, Finance, Social Welfare, Family and Women Promotion, as well as Energy and Water.

According to the President, teamwork should also involve the Ministry of Youth and Sports, provincial governments and municipal administrations, in order to achieve the expected results.

Source: Angola Press News Agency