Author: kajarbi54

The Auditor General of the National Audit Office, Cherno Sowe, has recommended an investigation into an inflated contract price amounting to D52,489,520.80, citing overpayments and weak financial controls. The recommendation was made in the 2023 management letter on the audited accounts of the Government of The Gambia. According to the audit findings, a review of payment vouchers revealed discrepancies in the Bill of Quantities (BOQ), resulting in an overpayment of GMD 50,000. The report noted that GMD 1,841,500 should have been paid instead of GMD 1,891,500. Sowe said although the overpayment appears minor, it highlights weaknesses in cost verification processes…

Nigerian youths have been urged to embrace skills acquisition and other empowerment opportunities provided through various intervention programmes offered by the government and other stakeholders as safeguards against substance abuse and other social vices. The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), gave the charge on Thursday in Abuja during his remarks as Special Guest of Honour at the launch of a youth empowerment and skills acquisition programme organised by Grassroots Bridge Builders, a non-governmental organisation. He expressed satisfaction that the programme aligns with the present administration’s agenda on youth…

The United States has drawn attention to the presence of M23 rebels in parts of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, urging President Félix Tshisekedi to address the growing security threat. The concerns were expressed in a joint statement by US Senators Jim Risch of Idaho and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, issued hours after the Congo River Alliance – a political-military group that includes M23 fighters – claimed responsibility for last week’s attack on Kisangani Bangoka International Airport. The statement followed talks with President Tshisekedi on Wednesday at the US Capitol, which focused on the Washington Accords for Peace and…

The Nigerien government has set up a committee of experts tasked with initiating legal proceedings and drafting complaints against French nuclear operator Orano. Minister of Justice Alio Daouda, speaking at a ceremony to establish the committee, said the government’s decision to nationalise the exploitation of mineral resources had prompted several legal actions by the Orano Group against Niger at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), where the company is seeking compensation over alleged mining ownership on Nigerien territory. He said these actions had triggered a retaliatory response from the authorities, who are now pursuing legal action against…

At least 75 people have died in a terrorist attack on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, North-Central Nigeria. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq confirmed the fatalities during a visit to the Emir of Kaiama and families of the victims. The governor said President Bola Tinubu had set up a special security taskforce, Operation Shield Savannah, to prevent further attacks. He described the incident as tragic and promised intensified security measures. Authorities reported that about 70 victims were buried in a mass grave. Survivors described killings, abductions and widespread destruction of homes during the assault. Officials…

Moroccan authorities have relocated more than 100,000 residents from flood-prone communities in four provinces after days of heavy rainfall triggered widespread flooding. The Interior Ministry said the evacuations were carried out in stages, depending on the level of risk in each area, with transport provided to move affected residents to safer locations. According to the ministry, 108,423 people had been moved to safety as of Wednesday morning. The worst impact was recorded in Larache province, where over 81,000 residents, mostly from the city of Ksar el-Kebir, were evacuated. Thousands of others were relocated from Kenitra, Sidi Kacem, and Sidi Slimane…

Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, has said he assumed office amid severe economic and governance challenges, describing the country he inherited as being on the brink of collapse. Speaking during a three-day state visit to Zambia, where he met with members of the Ghanaian diaspora, Mahama said the condition of the nation at the time of his inauguration in January 2025 required urgent and far-reaching reforms. According to the president, Ghana was facing widespread difficulties across key sectors, including health, education, and agriculture, alongside a weakening economy and growing public debt. “We inherited a country that was sick,” Mahama said.…

Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, has arrived in Zambia for a high-level diplomatic engagement with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema. The Ghanaian head of state arrived in Zambia on Wednesday for a three-day state visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, trade, and investment. He was accompanied by Her Excellency Mrs Lordina Dramani Mahama and was received by President Hakainde Hichilema and the First Lady of Zambia at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport. During the visit, both leaders will hold talks focused on enhancing diplomatic relations, promoting trade, and exploring cooperation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). A key highlight of…

At least 47 people have been killed in a series of coordinated attacks by armed groups across Benue, Katsina, and Kwara states in Nigeria’s North-Central and North-Western regions. In Katsina State, assailants attacked the Doma community in Tafoki Ward of Faskari Local Government Area, killing at least 20 residents. The Chairman of Faskari Local Government, Surajo Aliyu, confirmed the incident, describing it as a deadly reprisal attack and one of the worst recorded in recent months. Eyewitnesses said the attackers moved unhindered through the community, shooting residents and setting houses and vehicles ablaze before fleeing. In the North-Central states of…

The United States has criticised South Africa’s decision to declare Israel’s acting ambassador, Ariel Seidman, persona non grata and order his expulsion. US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott expressed Washington’s concerns in a post on X, describing the move as another example of what he called South Africa’s “poor foreign policy choices.” Pigott said the decision prioritised what he termed “grievance politics over the good of South Africa and its citizens.” He accused Pretoria of expelling Seidman for “calling out” alleged ties between the African National Congress (ANC) and Hamas, as well as what he described as links to…