Month: May 2023

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“Warm Children’s Heart”: Seychelles’ orphanage receives wide-ranging donation from China

Children from the President’s Village Orphanage in Seychelles received numerous items as part of a donation from the Chinese Embassy on Tuesday.

The items, which included furniture, toys, food, and stationary, among others, come from an initiative by the First Lady of China, Peng Liyuan, as part of the China-Africa joint initiative “Warm Children’s Heart” and the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development.

The donation was made to the President’s Village through Seychelles’ First Lady Linda Ramkalawan, patron of local orphanages.

In her address, Ramkalawan shared that “It is said that the best way to make children good, is to make them happy. So, I hope the children will be happy with all these beautiful gifts given to them today.” .

The donation was made to the First Lady Linda Ramkalawan by Mu Jianfeng, the Chinese chargé d’affaires. (Ministry of Youth, Sports & Family) Photo License: CC-BY

Ramkalawan received the donation on behalf of the children, from Mu Jianfeng, the Chinese chargé d’affaires in the presence of the Minister for Family Affairs, Youth and Sports, Marie-Celine Zialor, along with staff and children from the orphanage

“Children are the future of our nations. Their health and happiness are the concerns of all societies across the world,” said Jianfeng in his address.

He added that the aim of the “Warm Children’s Heart” project is to prioritise the agenda of children’s welfare and pull resources from all concerned to create a better environment for children’s growth.

The President’s Village located in the western Mahe district of Port Glaud, was opened in 1987 by the late former First Lady Geva Rene, the patron of the National Council for Children (NCC) at that time. The state-run facility houses 30 residents, which include 10 boys and 20 girls.

Chinese doctors fave free health consultations. (Ministry of Youth, Sports & Family) Photo License: CC-BY

As part of the donation, a group of Chinese doctors was also present to give the children free health consultations and tests.

Mirenda Hollanda, the senior child support officer at the Village, said the visit of the Chinese doctors was opportune as “it is very difficult for us to take the children to the hospital all the time for specialised care and so to have these doctors here will help the children as various tests will be done to check for diabetes, heart health, and other. It is a benefit for our staff as well.”

Hollanda expressed her gratitude to the Chinese Embassy for the donation. She said that most of the donation will be used to furnish a toddler’s room, where kids play among themselves.

“The Village is a beautiful home where children are living in a big family. We hope the donation will make everyone’s stay more comfortable and cosier,” said the Chinese chargé d’affaires.

Source: Seychelles News Agency

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Angola takes important steps toward fight against corruption

Angolan minister of Justice and Human Rights Marcy Lopes said Wednesday that Angola has taken significant steps in the fight against corruption, as part of governmental and legislative profound reform.

The minister was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Regional Conference on Combating Corruption, which brings together, in Luanda, the member countries of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), around anti-corruption priorities.

In his speech, Marcy Lopes said that President João Lourenço made and continues to make the crack down on corruption one of the fundamental aspects of his governance, initiating profound reforms at the governmental and legislative level, as well as the creation of new services dedicated to combat this phenomenon.

The official underlined the presentation of the National Strategy Project for the Prevention and Fight against Corruption (ENAPREC) and its corresponding public consultation from 18 April to 18 May of the current year.

According to him, the approval of ENAPREC aims to achieve, among other objectives, the reduction of corruption rates by promoting integrity, transparency and improving the provision of services in the public and private sectors, transparency in management of public affairs and the involvement of citizens in the prevention and repression of corruption.

Marcy Lopes, who was speaking on behalf of the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, stressed that the fight against corruption is not and should not be viewed as something exclusive and designed for the holders of political offices.

“On the contrary, it must have a wide scope to reach both the top and the bottom of public services. Only in this way will we, in fact, have good governance, a good State and a good society”, said the minister, to whom corruption is an evil that needs to be prevented, monitored and fought.

He appealed to the countries of the SADC region to take measures to, together, overcome the challenge of fighting corruption in an organised, articulated and cooperative way.

“It is necessary that we all look at corruption as one of the main causes of impediment to the development of societies. Only united and coordinated with other countries will we overcome this problem”, he stressed.

According to the organisation, the objective of the conference is to find an agreement on the common roadmap for all SADC members, containing a set of recommendations and commitments for the realization of anti-corruption priorities.

The conference focuses on thematic areas identified as priorities for the SADC region, namely national and regional coordination and public procurement.

The aim is for participating countries to hold, firstly, detailed technical meetings and, secondly, to develop a list of priority commitments to enhance the implementation of a convention in their countries, to be approved at the conference.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

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Government predicts USD 106 bln strategy for energy by 2050

The government announced a total investment of US$106 for electricity sector by 2050, according to the proposed goal as part of the Long-Term Strategy (ELP Angola – 2050).

The document, which does not show the amounts invested in 2022, predicts that US$15 billion will be invested by 2030 and a total of US$106 billion until 2050.

In order to attain the vision of increasing electrification, it will be necessary to invest in renewable energies and stimulate private initiative in the energy sector.

The strategy points to solutions such as rationalising the system and making it financially sustainable, adjusting tariff subsidies and reducing commercial losses, expanding the on-grid/on-grid system and universalising access to electricity and creating off-grid/off-grid solutions.

In this chapter on solutions, the document indicates that the system will be rationalised to ensure financial sustainability, reviewing tariff subsidies and reducing commercial losses.

As for electricity prices, the ELP refers to a convergence with the real costs of the system.

The ELP has also announced defined that will progressively reduce the level of tariff subsidisation, considering different price models to guarantee a tariff revision that does not compromise the social balance, resorting, namely, to the adjustment of consumption tariffs.

When reviewing tariffs, within the scope of the strategy, vulnerable groups such as low-income families, pensioners and disabled citizens will be taken into account, applying compensatory measures to avoid harmful effects.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

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Vice President announces promotion of digital literacy, research in CPLP

Angola’s Vice President of the Republic Esperança Costa proposed Wednesday in Luanda the promotion of literacy in terms of Communication Technologies and Scientific Research in the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP).

Esperança Costa made the proposal while delivering her speech at the opening of the XII Meeting of Ministers of Education of the CPLP, adding that education is solid bases for sustainable development, in the most varied domains within the community.

“The CPLP must, as a whole, continue to be engaged in issues related to education, above all, an education capable of keeping up with the mutations that are operating in terms of technologies”, she stressed.

The Vice President said it was crucial to pay attention to concerted cooperation positions, for specific segments of education.

She mentioned mainly the financial education, education for climate action and education for technologies, with a strong focus on digital technology, in this era of artificial intelligence, the internet and social networks.

In her address, she recognised, however, the existence of countries within the community that are advanced in this matter, and these could, within the framework of closer cooperation, contribute, to a great extent, to the progress of the others.

The Vice President also underlined the need to introduce children to mathematical calculation, languages and ICTs, as well as the ethical component that must be underlying it.

The education must be focused on humanisation , by teaching cooperation and not always competition, she added.

Meanwhile, she said that education must be at the service of development, peace, social harmony and the search for solutions to local, and perhaps global, problems.

In the context of the concern to provide better quality to education, the Vice President recalled II Extraordinary Meeting of Ministers of Education in 2022, which approved the Action Plan for Multilateral Cooperation in Education in the CPLP 2022-2024.

From this action plan, Esperança Costa referred to the holding in December 2022 of the II CPLP Seminar on Portuguese as a Second Language for Primary School Teachers, in the first quarter of 2023, of the I Joint Exercise of Inspective Practices in CPLP Education , as well as the holding, last March, of the CPLP Seminar on Good Practices on School Meals.

At the time when Angola took over the Presidency of the CPLP on July 17, 2021, underlined the Vice-President, the country elected the “Strengthening of Mobility among the Member States” and a special attention to the economic sector, as priority topics of its presidency.

Having, however, ratified the “Mobility Agreement” , looking, among other issues, at the advantages it confers in the specific field of mobility of students, teachers, researchers and scientists, within the framework of academic exchange.

On the specific level of education, she advanced that mobility should be seen as a critical axis to enhance and enrich experiences, facilitate mutual recognition and accreditation of studies, among other advantages.

As part of the global partnerships and implementation of the Action Plan, she defended closer ties with international organisations specializing in Education and international financial institutions, reinforcing multilateralism for inclusive development.

The meeting, which brings together members of the CPLP for the area of education, takes place under the theme, “Promotion of Educational Cooperation with a view to the Transformation of Educational Systems in the community”.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

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President assesses progress of “Pedalé” Hospital works

Angolan head of State João Lourenço Wednesday in Luanda assessed the level of execution of Pedro Maria Tonha “Pedalé” Hospital works, with an installed capacity of 144 beds.

The Head of State, who was accompanied by Government officials, was informed of the progress of the work, which is nearly 70% complete.

Located in Morro Bento, Maianga Urban District, the hospital occupies an area of 32,000 square meters and the main building will be on three floors, with a total area of 29,062 square meters.

The hospital unit also has 36 outpatient clinics, 16 examination rooms, 36 hemodialysis chairs, two radiotherapy and radiosurgery treatment rooms.

The infrastructure also comprises a nuclear medicine, two delivery rooms, an intermediate care unit, a capacity of 16 beds, five laboratories, robotics surgery training center and two nuclear accelerators.

The health facility will also have a 100-room hotel and a 20-apartment residential building.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

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Attorney General’s Office vows to crack down on corruption in private sector

Angola is busy preparing the Extraordinary Summit of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), scheduled for Saturday (3) in Luanda.

For the preparation, the Angolan top diplomat Téte António and the ambassadors of Zambia, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda and representatives from Tanzania and Sudan met on Tuesday in Luanda.

In addition to take stock of the tasks preceding the summit and preparing the agenda, the meeting discussed issues related to the peace and security in the region.

The summit will bring together Heads of State and Government, or their representatives.

The event will also gather entities linked to the African Union Commission, the United Nations Secretariat, the ICGLR, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), and the East African Community (EAC).

Created in 1994, following the political and military conflicts that marked the Great Lakes region in the early 1990s, the organisation integrates Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic (CAR), Democratic Republics of Congo (DRC), Republic of Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania and Zambia.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

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Chris McCloskey Joins Duck Creek as Chief Operating Officer

Boston, May 30, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Duck Creek Technologies, the intelligent solutions provider defining the future of Property and Casualty (P&C) and general insurance, today announces the addition of Chris McCloskey to its leadership team as Chief Operating Officer. McCloskey will be instrumental in driving key strategy, operational and transformation initiatives across the entire business, particularly within our customer and professional services organizations.

McCloskey joins Duck Creek from Datto, where he was most recently Chief Customer Officer for the cybersecurity and business continuity company. At Datto, McCloskey was responsible for building a new customer success organization that significantly improved technical implementation, customer satisfaction and retention, and partner health. Before joining Datto, McCloskey grew through sales and customer-facing leadership roles to become COO, Americas at London-based Finastra, a multi-billion-dollar financial services software company.

“We are delighted to welcome Chris to Duck Creek’s leadership team; he will help us continue to better focus on increasing lifetime value and enable our customers to be more successful,” said Mike Jackowski, CEO of Duck Creek. “Chris is incredibly accomplished in growing and leading large teams through transformation, and having him as a strategic customer-facing leader is the perfect match to advance our vision.”

McCloskey Chris earned his MBA from the Stern School of Business at New York University and his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Gettysburg College.

About Duck Creek Technologies

Duck Creek Technologies is the intelligent solutions provider defining the future of the property and casualty (P&C) and general insurance industry. We are the platform upon which modern insurance systems are built, enabling the industry to capitalize on the power of the cloud to run agile, intelligent, and evergreen operations. Authenticity, purpose, and transparency are core to Duck Creek, and we believe insurance should be there for individuals and businesses when, where, and how they need it most. Our market-leading solutions are available on a standalone basis or as a full suite, and all are available via Duck Creek OnDemand. Visit www.duckcreek.com to learn more. Follow Duck Creek on our social channels for the latest information – LinkedIn and Twitter.

Carley Bunch
Duck Creek Technologies
2019626091
carley.bunch@duckcreek.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8847565

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Hitachi Energy signs agreements with ENOWA and Saudi Electricity Company to design and develop the first phase of visionary NEOM region transmission system

Collaboration to accelerate the development of NEOM in Saudi Arabia with up to 9 gigawatts of power transmission capacity

Zurich, Switzerland, May 30, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hitachi Energy, a global technology leader advancing a sustainable energy future for all, has signed agreements under the supervision and management of the Ministry of Energy with the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) and with ENOWA. The agreements include the supply of three high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems to end customer ENOWA, the utility company for NEOM in Northwest Saudi Arabia. Built with sustainability in mind, NEOM is among Saudi Arabia’s Giga-Projects1 reshaping the future of development. The three HVDC links will have a total power capacity of up to 9 gigawatts (GW).

The agreements include an order from ENOWA’s engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) partner, the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) awarded to Hitachi Energy and its consortium partner, Saudi Services for Electro Mechanical Works (SSEM), to provide one of the world’s first 3 GW, 525 kilovolt (kV) HVDC Light® transmission system connecting Oxagon, NEOM’s regional development, with the larger Yanbu area more than 650 kilometers away in Western Saudi Arabia.

Hitachi Energy’s scope of supply includes design, engineering, procurement of HVDC technology and commissioning of the HVDC Light converter stations. Whilst SSEM – a leading Saudi EPC specialized in power, water and industrial projects – will design and supply the AC equipment portion and perform the construction and the installation. The converter stations convert the power from AC to DC then back to AC for integration into the receiving grid. The converters will be sourced by and supplied to Saudi Electricity Company, who were contracted in 2022 by ENOWA to act as their EPCM to build this first HVDC system for NEOM.

Further to this, Hitachi Energy and ENOWA have signed an early works and capacity reservation agreement for two additional HVDC projects, each rated up to 3 GW. Under this agreement, both companies commit to having the resources and capacity necessary to implement these two HVDC systems. As part of a new scalable and modular regional network design that is targeted to seamlessly integrate future renewables and energy storage technologies in the NEOM Energy System, making it unique in terms of size and complexity. The co-operation will also explore opportunities to develop local competencies in the Kingdom, including ways to sustainably assemble the necessary HVDC Light components locally.

“We are delighted to strengthen our collaboration with ENOWA and Saudi Electricity Company in order to power one of the most visionary development projects of all time,” said Niklas Persson, Managing Director of Hitachi Energy’s Grid Integration business. “As the world progresses towards a more sustainable future, our expertise and HVDC technologies are true enablers of the electrification of the global energy system and the transition to renewables.”

“By securing the first capacities for such an important part of our future grid in only one year since the decision to use this technology, we show ENOWA’s commitment to supporting Saudi Vision 2030 in collaboration with Saudi Electricity Company and Hitachi Energy,” said Thorsten Schwarz, Executive Director of Grid Technology & Projects, Energy of ENOWA.

ENOWA, NEOM’s energy and water company, produces and delivers clean and sustainable energy for industrial and commercial applications. The company benefits from NEOM’s greenfield site and strategic location in the northwestern part of Saudi Arabia, with abundant solar and wind resources. ENOWA will act as a catalyst and incubator for developing new, sustainable energy and water businesses while creating a robust economic sector regionally.

ENOWA seeks by its commitment to renewable energy and efficient water management, to become a global reference for industry leaders and setting a benchmark for sustainable economic circular systems around the world. Formed in 2022, ENOWA is the principal shareholder in the world’s largest green hydrogen production plant set to be commissioned in 2026 and will enable NEOM to be a global green hydrogen hub.

NEOM will be powered by 100 percent clean energy, through renewable solar, wind and green hydrogen-based energy. The region is designed to be a blueprint for sustainable urban living with minimal impact on the environment and enhanced livability.

Note to editors:
Hitachi Energy’s HVDC solution combines world-leading expertise in HVDC converter valves; the MACH™ digital control platform2, converter power transformers and high-voltage switchgear; as well as system studies, design and engineering, supply, installation supervision and commissioning.

HVDC Light is a voltage source converter technology developed by Hitachi Energy, which was launched over 25 years ago. It is the preferred technology for many grid applications, including interconnecting countries, integrating renewables and “power-from-shore” connections to offshore production facilities. HVDC Light’s defining features include uniquely compact converter stations and exceptionally low electrical losses.

Hitachi Energy pioneered commercial HVDC technology almost 70 years ago and has delivered more than half of the world’s HVDC projects.

Hitachi Energy’s consulting services assist energy customers in pinpointing their challenges and suggesting customized solutions tailored to their unique requirements. Our consultants operate independently, with a product and system-agnostic approach, possessing in-depth knowledge of global technologies, standards, and local grid codes.

1 Saudi’s Giga-Projects
2 Modular Advanced Control for HVDC (MACH™)

See also:
Hitachi Energy to supply the first ever large-scale HVDC interconnection in the Middle East and North Africa (2022)
Hitachi Energy and Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority sign contract to upgrade high-voltage direct current transmission system (2023)

ENOWA website

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About Hitachi Energy
Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We serve customers in the utility, industry and infrastructure sectors with innovative solutions and services across the value chain. Together with customers and partners, we pioneer technologies and enable the digital transformation required to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon-neutral future. We are advancing the world’s energy system to become more sustainable, flexible and secure whilst balancing social, environmental and economic value. Hitachi Energy has a proven track record and unparalleled installed base in more than 140 countries. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ around 40,000 people in 90 countries and generate business volumes of over $10 billion USD.
https://www.hitachienergy.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/hitachienergy
https://twitter.com/HitachiEnergy

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society through the use of data and technology. We solve customers’ and society’s challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products. Hitachi operates under the business structure of “Digital Systems & Services” – supporting our customers’ digital transformation; “Green Energy & Mobility” – contributing to a decarbonized society through energy and railway systems, and “Connective Industries” – connecting products through digital technology to provide solutions in various industries. Driven by Digital, Green, and Innovation, we aim for growth through co-creation with our customers. The company’s consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2022 (ended March 31, 2023) totaled 10,881.1 billion yen, with 696 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 320,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company’s website at https://www.hitachi.com.

Attachment

Jocelyn Chang
Hitachi Energy
jocelyn.chang@hitachienergy.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8848737

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Governor Mwangaza Launches Health Cover For The Elderly

Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has launched a healthcare programme meant for the old people above 70 years dubbed ‘Mwangaza Care.

Speaking during the launch held at Kinoru Stadium, Governor Mwangaza said the first phase will cover 300 people drawn from the 45 wards in the county at a cost of Sh1.8 million.

“Owing to the limited funds at the moment, we will start with the 300 people who will also have their relatives benefit from the same cover and the number will keep on increasing every financial year,” said Governor Mwangaza.

She added that her government was targeting to increase the money for the cover to Sh.10 million in the subsequent years.

“We are foreseeing a future where all the people in the county will have free medical cover and this is possible with prudent use of the available resources,” said Governor Mwangaza.

She added: “today’s initiative will go a long way in helping the old people especially those without able people to depend on as they will be in a position to visit any level four or five hospital in the county and get treatment for free.”

To ensure that the aged people receive priority in terms of treatment at the health facilities, Governor Mwangaza said special waiting zones have been set in various health care facilities meant to specifically handle them.

“Some of them have no energy to queue for the service and therefore we have set the zones so they can be served first,” she said.

To empower the youth, the governor launched 18 tents each with 100 chairs, concrete mixing machines, car wash machines, recording studio equipment, and motorcycles worth about Sh.15 million which will be issued to various youth groups.

She said the equipment will go a long way in empowering the young people and making them self-reliant in future.

“Majority of our young people are idle out there and this makes them indulge in drug abuse. The empowerment initiative will keep them engaged and moreover help them to earn a living,” said Governor Mwangaza.

Source: Kenya News Agency

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Authority Allocates Sh50M To Sponsor Youths To Acquire Technical Skills

LAPSSET Corridor Development Authority has set aside Sh50M for scholarships to enable youths to acquire technical skills in line with Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

Speaking during a sensitization forum on career opportunities in the Blue Economy sector in Mombasa LAPSSET Corridor Development Authority Chairman Ali Mbogo said the sector has numerous job opportunities that the youth can tap into to eke a living.

The LAPSSET Chairman said the authority is setting up a 5000 acres Special Economic Zone in Lamu, and more than 300 companies are expected to start projects.

Mbogo said youths who would want to enroll at the Bandari Maritime Academy to study the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers (STCW) course and have not been able to pay would be sponsored by the authority.

“They are numerous opportunities in the maritime sector but most of our people have not been able to secure the jobs because of their economic situations,” said Mbogo.

He added that LAPSSET will focus on skills development for youths to benefit from the Lamu Port which has been operationalized.

“We don’t want our people from the Coast region and the other areas where LAPSSET passes through to be left out in the job opportunities,” he said, adding that the authority will initiate negotiations with learning institutions to tailor-made courses that will suit the youths.

Mbogo beseeched Coastal youths to stop lamenting but instead pursue education for them to be out of the unemployment yoke.

“Even if you have failed in class 8 you can start with an artisan certificate. We are ready to hold your hands. It doesn’t mean if you have failed in KCPE it’s the dead end.

“Let’s not be cheated we need to focus more on skills even if you have a degree in whatever course back it up with a skill, even if it’s a certificate in refrigeration, plumbing, electrical, or masonry for us to move forward,” Mbogo urged the youths.

Coast Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Mzee Mwinyi Mzee encouraged the youths to enroll in short courses to acquire skills in maritime because the Coast region has not exhausted the potential of its coastline.

Mzee said negotiations are ongoing with the Youth Enterprise Development Fund to come up with a baharia fund for youths to get interest-free loans.

Source: Kenya News Agency

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