News

Protecting Life: African Water Activists Resist Corporate Privatisation As World Bank Meets

Published

3 years ago

October 8, 2021

At a time when life is more precarious than ever, the necessity to prioritise that which gives life is likewise greater than ever. Water is one of the most fundamental necessities for life, yet giant corporations backed by international financial institutions are exploiting this basic need by trying to privatise water across the African continent, threatening to leave millions of people suffering without water.

The only just path forward is by rejecting privatisation and returning water into the hands of the African people, who together have and will continue to advance public water solutions funded by public dollars. On October 13, 2021 at 9am ET, African water protectors will be speaking about these efforts and making demands for change here.

Private water giants like Veolia and Suez have been capturing Africa’s water systems for decades with the backing of institutions like the World Bank, undermining African governments’ efforts to ensure universal water access for their people. Right now the World Bank, one of the largest drivers of water privatisation in the Global South, is holding its annual meetings. Worse, Veolia and Suez, the two largest private water corporations in the world, are on the cusp of a mega-merger that would consolidate their control and further threaten the African people’s right to water systems that ensure true public health and equity. All this shows that the threat of corporate control of water for generations to come is becoming increasingly dire.

“This mobilization is the convergence of all the resistance struggles against water privatisation by the Our Water Our Right Africa Coalition,” said Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa. “We are sending a clear and unequivocal message to the drivers of privatisation and their allies: Africans from East, West, Central and Southern Africa are united in their position that control of Africa’s water today and in the future must be determined by Africans and Africans alone.”

Frontline communities and workers across the African continent have long held the expertise needed to ensure that everyone has access to water and, by extension, life. In order for their leadership to thrive, movement leaders are demanding African governments listen to water protectors, ignore pressures from the World Bank and other institutions to privatise water, and reject all privatisation schemes from profit-driven behemoths like Veolia and Suez. Organisers say that government leaders must invest in public water systems that include meaningful public participation in water governance, with particular focus on the perspectives of those typically left out of decision-making processes, including but not limited to women, low-income people, and rural communities.

These demands build on the momentum of the water justice movement, which has already achieved over 300 cases of water de-privatisation around the world, including in cities such as Paris, the home of Veolia and Suez.

Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa encourages all stakeholders to hear directly from the following African water protectors and allies:

Akinbode Oluwafemi from Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa will share highlights from the forthcoming report, Africa Must Rise & Resist Water Privatisation (due to be released October 13) and talk about how civil society and labour are banding together across Africa to reject privatisation.

Dr. Everline Aketch from Public Services International will talk about the impacts of water privatisation on workers and the role of labour in the water justice movement.

Dr. Melina Abdullah from Black Lives Matter Grassroots will locate the struggle for water justice in Africa within the context of struggles for Black liberation around the globe.

Younoussa Abbosouka and Oumar Ba will talk about their experiences fighting water privatisation and injustice in Cameroon and Senegal, as well as the power of organising.

This event will be moderated by Aderonke Ige, Associate Director at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa.

Please join us on October 13, 2021 at 9am ET here.

Speakers and key contacts related to this event are available for additional questions or comments upon request.

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Samed Olukoya

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

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Travel

Paystack and Africa World Airlines Team Up to Enhance Passenger Experience

Published

2 days ago

May 1, 2024

Samed Olukoya

Paystack, a leading financial technology company specializing in payment processing services, has announced a strategic partnership with Africa World Airlines (AWA), a prominent regional carrier operating in West Africa.

This collaboration unveiled through a joint statement by Jonathan Appiah, the Head of Commercial at Africa World Airlines, and Shola Akinlade, the Co-founder and CEO of Paystack, heralds a new era of convenience and efficiency for air travelers within the region.

The partnership aims to streamline the flight booking and payment process, offering passengers an array of seamless payment options tailored to their preferences.

With the integration of Paystack’s advanced payment gateway, passengers flying with Africa World Airlines can now enjoy hassle-free transactions, enhancing the overall travel experience.

Jonathan Appiah expressed excitement about the partnership, emphasizing AWA’s commitment to providing its customers with exceptional service.

He highlighted that the collaboration with Paystack allows AWA passengers in Ghana, Nigeria, and beyond to benefit from diverse payment methods, including card, mobile money, Apple Pay, bank transfers, USSD, PayAttitude, and QR codes.

“We are thrilled to partner with Paystack to offer our passengers a more convenient and streamlined booking and payment experience,” said Appiah. “At AWA, we are constantly seeking ways to enhance the overall travel experience for our customers, and we believe that this partnership with Paystack will significantly contribute to achieving that goal.”

Shola Akinlade, echoing similar sentiments, expressed Paystack’s enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting the company’s dedication to making the booking process accessible and inclusive for travelers across the region.

“We are excited to partner with Africa World Airlines to provide passengers with a convenient and reliable payment experience,” stated Akinlade. “By offering a variety of payment options, we aim to make the booking process more accessible and inclusive for travelers across the region.”

The joint efforts of Paystack and Africa World Airlines signify a commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions in the aviation industry. As air travel continues to evolve, partnerships like these pave the way for enhanced passenger experiences and greater convenience in the skies of Africa.

Travel

Air Peace Flight Makes Emergency Landing Due to False Fire Warning

Published

7 days ago

April 26, 2024

Samed Olukoya

Passengers aboard Air Peace Flight APK7193 experienced a tense moment as the aircraft made an emergency landing at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos following a false fire warning in the cockpit.

The incident, which occurred on Thursday during the flight from Port Harcourt, highlighted the swift response and safety protocols implemented by the flight crew amidst the alarming situation.

With 243 passengers and 12 crew members on board, the flight’s pilots noticed a fire warning indicator in the cockpit, prompting immediate action.

Acting swiftly, the pilots executed all necessary safety measures and initiated an emergency landing procedure.

At 4:45 pm, the aircraft safely touched down on Runway 18L at the Lagos airport, averting a potential crisis.

Upon landing, fire fighting personnel stationed at the airport observed smoke emanating from the engines, prompting the pilots to shut down the engines as a precautionary measure.

However, it was later confirmed that the observed smoke was unrelated to any fire event, reassuring passengers and crew of their safety.

Air Peace promptly issued a statement addressing the incident, titled “Notification of false fire alarm on Port Harcourt-Lagos flight.”

The airline clarified that the fire warning indicator noticed in the cockpit was indeed a false alarm.

The statement emphasized the airline’s commitment to safety and reassured the flying public that all necessary precautions were taken to ensure the well-being of passengers and crew.

“We want to reassure the flying public that safety remains our utmost priority, and we are unwavering in our commitment to it,” the statement read.

Despite the momentary panic caused by the false fire warning, the swift and coordinated response of the flight crew, coupled with adherence to safety protocols, ensured a safe and uneventful landing for all passengers and crew members.

The incident serves as a testament to the importance of rigorous safety procedures and the critical role played by well-trained aviation professionals in ensuring passenger safety.

As investigations into the cause of the false fire warning are likely underway, Air Peace’s response underscores the airline’s dedication to transparency and accountability in addressing safety-related incidents.

Passengers and industry stakeholders alike can take solace in the airline’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational excellence.

Travel

Saudi Arabia Breaks 70-Year Alcohol Ban, Opening Shop for Diplomats

Published

1 week ago

April 25, 2024

Samed Olukoya

Saudi Arabia has announced the opening of an alcohol shop in Riyadh, breaking a 70-year-long prohibition on the sale of alcoholic beverages in the kingdom.

This decision marks a significant shift in the conservative nation’s stance on alcohol consumption.

The alcohol shop, set to be located in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, will exclusively serve non-Muslim expatriates, particularly diplomatic staff.

This is the first time since 1952 that alcohol will be legally available for purchase in the kingdom.

The initiative aims to provide a legal avenue for diplomats who have previously relied on importing alcohol in sealed diplomatic pouches.

The decision comes as part of the Saudi government’s efforts to address the issue of illicit alcohol trade within the country.

By offering a legal means to access alcohol, authorities hope to mitigate the risks associated with underground alcohol markets.

However, the shop’s operations will be subject to strict regulations. Only diplomatic staff with prior registration and government clearance will be allowed to purchase alcohol.

Also, patrons must be over 21 years old and adhere to a prescribed code of conduct while inside the shop.

The introduction of the alcohol shop is a part of broader societal reforms under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, aimed at modernizing and diversifying the kingdom’s economy.

While the move represents a significant departure from traditional norms, it aligns with the government’s broader agenda of liberalizing certain aspects of Saudi society.

While the alcohol shop signifies a progressive step forward, it’s important to note that the sale and consumption of alcohol remain strictly prohibited for Saudi citizens under Islamic law.

Violators of these laws are subject to severe penalties, including fines, and imprisonment.

Overall, the opening of the alcohol shop marks a historic moment in Saudi Arabia’s social and economic landscape, signaling a willingness to adapt to changing global norms while navigating the complexities of religious and cultural traditions.