Category: APO-OPA

ACCRA, Ghana, August 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ —

• 125 machines with a total weight of 1,596 tons have already been delivered

• An additional 80 pieces of construction equipment will soon be shipped out of Hamburg

DHL Global Forwarding, the air and sea freight specialist of Deutsche Post DHL (http://www.dpdhl.com) has successfully run a big part of a major ocean freight project from Germany to Ghana for the family-owned construction company, GP Günter Papenburg AG, Germany. 125 pieces of machinery and equipment including 15 bulldozers, 20 loaders, 10 excavators, 60 motor graders, and 20 tippers plus various spare parts were already delivered from Nordhausen to Ghana. During a period of three months, five partial deliveries with a total of 1,596 tons were moved. 80 more construction machines are to be shipped out of Hamburg in the last quarter of this year.

Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1276 (125 machines with a total weight of 1,596 tons have already been delivered)

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/dhlgf.jpg

“The planning, controlling and coordinating of complex large projects require highly competent consulting and professional expertise as well as considerable practical experience. We are happy that GP Günter Papenburg AG entrusts us with this assignment. This confirms our professional competence concerning complex transportation processes around the globe”, said Volker Oesau, CEO, DHL Global Forwarding Middle Europe.

The contract between Papenburg and DHL includes the entire project management, handling of unpacked construction machines and equipment in the port of Hamburg, maritime transportation by RoRo vessels as well as insurance of the precious goods. Upon arrival at the African seaport, Tema, the Ghanaian Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development takes care of further goods distribution.

The Ghana government provides the individual district administrations with construction machinery and equipment. Giving the local administrations direct access to such equipment enables sustainable growth and development. The main goal is infrastructural development through restoration and maintenance of streets, feeders and long-distance roads. Before operating the equipment, Papenburg staff trains the drivers to ensure optimal usage of the machinery. In addition, the German company trains a local team in Ghana which will independently carry out the maintenance and repairs of the construction equipment in the near future.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Deutsche Post DHL.

Media Contact:

DHL Asia Pacific & EEMEA

Corporate Communications and Responsibility

Anita Gupta

Tel: +65 6771 3333

Fax: +65 6771 3322

Email: apeemeamediarelations@dhl.com

http://www.dhl.com/en/press.html

You can download this press release as well as further information here: http://www.dpdhl.de/pressemitteilungen

DHL – The logistics company for the world

DHL (http://www.dpdhl.com) is the global market leader in the logistics and CEP industry and “The logistics company for the world”. DHL commits its expertise in international express, national and international parcel delivery, air and ocean freight, road and rail transportation as well as contract and e-commerce related solutions along the entire supply chain. A global network composed of more than 220 countries and territories and around 315,000 employees worldwide offers customers superior service quality and local knowledge to satisfy their supply chain requirements. DHL accepts its social responsibility by supporting environmental protection, disaster management and education.

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL. The Group generated revenues of more than 55 billion euros in 2013.

For more information: http://www.dpdhl.com

GP Günter Papenburg AG

The family business, founded as an individual enterprise in 1963, now consists of a competence network of 34 subsidiaries and operating units under GP Günter Papenburg AG. About 3,000 employees are working nationwide in the fields of extraction of raw materials, production of building materials, structural and civil engineering, road and railway construction, machinery trade and service, freight forwarding as well as waste disposal, including recycling and landfilling. At the Nordhausen site, Papenburg develops and produces steel building products and motor graders of the brand HBM NOBAS.

For more information: www.gp.ag

GENEVA, Switzerland, August 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is shocked and dismayed by reports of the killing of at least six humanitarian workers from various non-governmental organizat…

NAIROBI, Kenya, August 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on authorities in South Sudan to ensure the safety of a freelance journalist who has been in hiding since late July. Abraham Agoth told CPJ that he fled his home in the northern state of Bahr el Ghazal on July 28, fearing arrest.

Agoth told CPJ he believes the state’s caretaker governor, Kuel Aguer Kuel, was unhappy with his coverage of state security issues for several media outlets, including the U.S.-backed broadcaster Voice of America, the local news website Gurtong, and the independent weekly The Patriot. Agoth said that earlier in July, Aguer had called him into his office and questioned him in connection with his reports on protests by shopowners in Aweil, the state capital. Agoth said the governor also warned him not to cover attacks by rebels in the state, echoing a warning issued by South Sudanese Information Minister Michael Makuei to reporters in the capital, Juba, earlier this year.

On July 26, Aguer ordered the closure of the faith-based radio station Wëër Bei (Redemption) after the station aired an interview the previous day with a member of state parliament who claimed rebels had attacked villages in Northern Bahr-el Ghazal, according to news reports and local journalists. Three local journalists told CPJ the governor ordered all members of the station to be arrested after the broadcast, but later retracted the order. Agoth volunteers at Wëër Bei but was not on duty the day the station aired the interview.

Reached by phone Tuesday, Aguer told CPJ that he has no intention of arresting Agoth. He said he wanted to question him about his reports.

Aguer also told CPJ the radio station had temporarily been shut down for false reporting and instigating panic. He noted that the station was allowed to re-open on July 31.

“This is another example of authorities targeting the press simply for performing its role: reporting on the ongoing conflict in South Sudan,” said CPJ East Africa Representative Tom Rhodes. “We urge state authorities to ensure the safety and security of Abraham Agoth and allow him to return to work without fear of reprisal.”

On December 15, violent fighting broke out in the South Sudanese capital, Juba, between forces loyal to former Vice-President Riek Machar and those loyal to President Salva Kiir. The conflict soon took on ethnic dimensions, pitting the two most populous tribes, the Dinka and the Nuer, against one another. More recently, peace negotiations have stalled, allowing the conflict, mostly in the eastern part of the country, to continue, and aid agencies have expressed fear that South Sudan is on the verge of a manmade famine, according to news reports.

ROME, Italy, August 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The FAO Food Price Index decreased for a fourth consecutive month in July mainly due to a sharp decline in international prices for maize, wheat and certain oilseeds, reflecting ample supplies for these commodities.

Based on the prices of a basket of internationally-traded food commodities, the FAO Food Price Index averaged 203.9 points in July 2014, down 4.4 points (or 2.1 percent) from a revised value in June and 3.5 points (or 1.7 percent) below the July 2013 level.

“The lingering decline of food prices since March reflects much better expectations over supplies in the current and forthcoming seasons, especially for cereals and oils, a situation that is expected to facilitate rebuilding of world stocks,” said FAO senior economist Concepción Calpe.

In contrast, meat prices rose for the fifth consecutive month in July, and those for sugar remained firm. The fall in quotations for grains, oilseeds, as well as dairy products pushed down the FAO Food Price Index to its lowest level since January 2014.

“Livestock product markets have their own dynamics: in the case of meat, beef in particular, many exporting countries are in a herd rebuilding phase, which is limiting availability for exports and sustaining prices,” Calpe said. “As for dairy products, supplies available for trade appear to be abundant, which, along with a faltering import demand, has weighted on July’s quotations,” she added.

Sharp slide in cereal and oilseed prices

The FAO Cereal Price Index averaged 185.4 points in July, down 10.7 points or5.5 percent from June and as much as 36.9 points or 16.6 percent below the level one year ago.

In particular the fall in international prices for maize (down 9.2 percent from June) and wheat (down 5.8 percent) reflected excellent production prospects as well as expected abundant exportable supplies in the 2014/15 marketing season.

In contrast, rice prices edged marginally higher, on renewed import demand, especially as Thailand’s sales from public reserves remained suspended.

The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index averaged 181.1 points in July, down 7.7 points or 4.1 percent from June. The decline continued to be primarily driven by falling soy and palm oil prices.

Soy oil values fell mainly in response to record crop prospects for the United States as well as abundant supply in South America while palm oil quotations eased on persisting strength in Malaysia’s currency and slow global import demand. Prices for rape and sunflowerseed oil also weakened, reflecting ample crop prospects for 2014/15.

The FAO Dairy Price Index averaged 226.1 points in July, down 10.3 points (4.4 percent) over June and 17.5 points (7.2 percent) less than the same period last year. Reduced import demand – including a decline in purchases of butter by Islamic countries during Ramadan – contributed to the downward trend in dairy prices.

Meat prices rise while sugar remains volatile

A continued strong demand for meat in Asia and particularly China, helped to edge up the FAO Meat Price Index which averaged 204.8 points in July, 3.7 points (1.8 percent) higher than its revised value in June and 25.4 points (14.1 percent) above the same period last year. Average prices for poultry and ovine meat also rose, while those for pig meat fell back somewhat from the all-time high registered in June.

The FAO Sugar Price Index averaged 259.1 points in July, marginally up by 1.1 points (0.4 percent) from June, and 20.2 points (8.4 percent) higher than in July 2013. International sugar prices have been relatively volatile over the last three months, amid uncertainty over the impact of a drought on sugarcane in Brazil, the world’s largest producer and exporter and indications of below average monsoon rains in India, the second largest world sugar producer.

LUSAKA, Zambia, August 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — AGCO (Your Agriculture Company, NYSE:AGCO) (http://www.agcocorp.com), a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment, has launched a partnership with Feed the Future Partnering for Innovation (a US Agency for International Development-funded program) to reduce post-maize harvest losses and improve grain handling in Zambia.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/agco.jpg

Photo 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1283

Photo 2: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1282

The new Bags2Bulk project will see AGCO and it partners, GSI Africa, Musika and Ybema Grain Services, introduce and sell 40 metal storage silos at grain trader level benefitting 12,000 smallholder farmers. In the first of several product demonstrations scheduled for Zambia’s Central and Eastern Provinces, more than 75 grain traders recently attended a roadshow in Mkushi to view the silos in action.

“With 80% of Zambia’s maize produced by smallholder farmers, there is significant demand for improved grain storage facilities,” says Nuradin Osman, AGCO Director Operations Africa and Middle East. “These producers primarily use recycled bags for storage, and it is estimated that 30% of grain is lost post-harvest as a result of rot, rodent and insect damage. The bulk silos, manufactured under AGCO’s GSI brand, will enable smallholder farms and traders to safely store larger quantities of maize in order to maintain grain quality. Added to this is the potential for them to make sales at a later date when prices may be more advantageous.”

Bags2Bulk is the first partnership between AGCO and Feed the Future, the US Government’s global hunger and food security initiative led by USAID. Feed the Future Partnering for Innovation, a program under this initiative, funds off-the-shelf technologies to increase smallholder productivity and competitiveness.

Along with the supply of 2.5-500 tonne capacity silos, the scope of Bags2Bulk includes provision of product training and demonstrations, marketing and the facilitation of finance.

AGCO’s consortium of operational partners for Bags2Bulk includes GSI Africa, distributor for GSI grain storage and handling technology in Zambia; Musika, a Not For Profit Company which works to stimulate private sector investment in the smallholder market, and Ybema Grain Services, an accredited grain trader.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of AGCO Corporation.

Press contact:

Louisa Parker

Manager Institutional Funding & Stakeholder

Relations, Africa & Middle East

Tel: +44 02476852001

Email: Louisa.Parker@agcocorp.com

About AGCO

AGCO (NYSE: AGCO) (http://www.agcocorp.com) is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery. AGCO supports more productive farming through a full line of tractors, combines, hay tools, sprayers, forage equipment, grain storage and protein production systems, tillage implements and replacement parts. AGCO products are sold through five core machinery brands, Challenger®, Fendt®, GSI®, Massey Ferguson® and Valtra® and are distributed globally through approximately 3,100 independent dealers and distributors in more than 140 countries worldwide. Founded in 1990, AGCO is headquartered in Duluth, GA, USA. In 2013, AGCO had net sales of $10.8 billion. http://www.AGCOcorp.com

NEW YORK, August 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — In May 2014, Malawi invited the Security Council’s 1540 Committee and the 1540 Experts to a country visit to discuss the implementation of resolution 1540 and to receive assistance in the d…

JOHANNESBURG, South-Africa, August 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Global capital project and infrastructure spending is expected to grow to more than $9 trillion annually by 2025, up from $4 trillion in 2012, according to a new report issued by PwC (http://www.pwc.com), ‘Capital project and infrastructure spending: Outlook to 2025′.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/pwc.png

Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1280 (Jonathan Cawood, PwC Head of Capital Projects and Infrastructure for Africa)

The report, for which Oxfords Economics provided research support, analyses infrastructure spending across 49 of the world’s largest economies which account for 90 percent of global economic output. It covers five industry sectors – extraction, utilities, manufacturing, transport and social – and forecasts their impact on seven major world economic regions ((Western Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa, Former Soviet Union and Central and Eastern Europe). It estimates the scale of current infrastructure investment and assesses the prospects for future investment from now to 2025. Overall, close to $78 trillion is expected to be spent globally between now and 2025 on capital projects and infrastructure.

The report finds that during 2011-12, the global infrastructure market rebounded from the global financial crisis, and will continue to grow between 6-7% yearly to 2025.

The report shows that that the recovery will be geographically uneven, led mainly by Asia, as spending overall shifts from West to East. The Asia-Pacific market will represent nearly 60 percent of all global infrastructure spending by 2025, driven mainly by China’s growth. Western Europe’s share will shrink to less than 10 percent from twice as much just a few years ago.

Long term underlying trends in demographics, technology, natural resources, urbanisation and shifting economic power will continue to have an enormous effect on which areas of spending will grow. These paradigm shifts, together with a return to global growth are projected to drive significant spend for infrastructure worldwide for decades to come.

Jonathan Cawood, PwC Head of Capital Projects and Infrastructure for Africa, says: “Emerging markets, especially China and other countries in Asia, without the burden of recovering from a financial crisis, will see much faster growth in infrastructure spending.

The pace of urbanisation is also on the increase, with the biggest shift in urbanised populations likely in China, India, Ghana, Nigeria, and the Philippines. Urbanisation drives the demand for water, power, transportation and technology infrastructure.

“Megacities in both emerging and developed markets- reflecting shifting economic and demographic trends – will create enormous need for new infrastructure. These shifts will leave a lasting, fundamental imprint on infrastructure development for decades to come.

“As economies develop, the types of infrastructure investment needed evolve, but not every country makes infrastructure spending a priority. If you don’t invest when your economy is growing, you may find yourself very quickly at a point where your runways and roads and ports and rail lines are choked.”

Overall infrastructure spending in the sub-Saharan region is projected to grow by 10% a year over the next decade – exceeding $180 billion by 2025 – while maintaining its 2% share of the global infrastructure market. Nigeria and South Africa dominate the infrastructure market, but other countries like Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, and Tanzania are also poised for growth. Growth prospects in most of the region’s economies look promising as they were not affected as much by the global financial crisis of 2008.

A substantial increase in spending in the basic manufacturing sector is expected in sub-Saharan Africa. Annual spending in the chemical, metals and fuels sector is forecasted to increase across the seven major African economies to $16 billion, up from about $6 billion in 2012.

The financial crisis of 2008 has not had a major effect on South Africa’s infrastructure spending. From an estimated $7 billion in 2001, investment in infrastructure grew relatively consistently to reach $22 billion by 2012.

Transportation investment is also expected to grow rapidly in South Africa over the coming decade, in particular in the road and rail subsectors. Transportation investment will likely grow to just short of $9 billion by 2025.

Infrastructure spending overall is forecasted to reach around $60 billion by 2025 for South Africa, having grown by 10% on average a year. However, South Africa is likely to lose share of regional spending relative to Nigeria. Nigeria’s better fiscal position and oil revenues will likely enable it to outperform South Africa over the coming decade, says the report.

Overall infrastructure spending in Nigeria is expected to grow from $23 billion in 2013 to $77 billion in 2025. A more investor-friendly environment towards oil investment is also likely to boost this projection further.

In contrast to Asia-Pacific’s success, investment in western economies has been constrained by the legacy of banking crises, fiscal austerity and a shallow economic recovery. CP&I spend is shifting to the emerging economies, particularly Asia. Asia’s share of global CP&I spend is projected to increase from 28% in 2012 to 39% in 2018 and 47% by 2025.

The report also shows that spending on utility infrastructure is expected to be significantly stronger in countries that need to upgrade deficient energy, water, and sanitation services and in economies that are rapidly urbanising, such as China, Ghana and Nigeria. The greatest growth of spending for utilities is expected in sub-Saharan Africa where an annual rate of 10.4% between now and 2025 is forecasted. Spending for electricity production and distribution is expected to rise from $15 billion in 2012 to $55 billion, while expenditures for improvements in water and sanitation services are forecasted to increase from $3.3 billion in 2012 to about $10 billion by 2025.

According to the report the extraction sector, driven by both oil and gas as well as non-oil and gas industries, will grow at an annual rate of 5%. Oil and gas extraction activity and infrastructure spending are expected to vary across countries and regions. Extraction spending in sub-Saharan Africa is projected to increase at 8% annually over the next decade. The bulk of spending is likely to take place in South Africa and Tanzania.

Demographic shifts will play a major role in determining the type of social infrastructure a country requires. Aging populations, especially in Eastern Europe and Japan, will necessitate more healthcare facilities, while emerging markets are projected to increase investments in both healthcare, as well as education for their young people. The report shows that the annual growth rate for social infrastructure spending is expected to be particularly strong – about 12% in sub-Saharan African where both schools and healthcare facilities will be in high demand.

In addition, climate-related disasters are driving growth in preventative infrastructure spend and in post disaster recovery. Climate change is also spurring investments in water resources, renewable energy and clean technologies.

Cawood adds: “Resources and consumer market potential coupled with trade, economic and political reforms, increasing urbanisation and shifts in demographics will drive the majority of investment in Africa. It is crucial for policymakers, citizens and businesses to understand the factors that unlock infrastructure investment and development and to act responsibly and strategically within a long term vision to create the right conditions for success.”

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC).

Contacts

Jonathan Cawood: PwC Head of Capital Projects and Infrastructure for Africa

Office: + 27 11 797 5236

Email: jonathan.w.cawood@za.pwc.com

OR

Lindiwe Magana: Media Relations Manager, PwC

Office: + 27 11 797 5042

Email: lindiwe.magana@za.pwc.com

About PwC

PwC (http://www.pwc.com) firms help organisations and individuals create the value they’re looking for. We’re a network of firms in 157 countries with more than 184,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, tax and advisory services. Tell us what matters to you and find out more by visiting us at http://www.pwc.com.

WASHINGTON, August 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
August 6, 2014

The United States strongly condemns the recent reports of targeted and deliberate killings of six humanitaria…

GENEVA, Switzerland, August 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is deeply concerned by the arrest and detention of DRC opposition MP, Mr. Jean-Bertrand Ewanga, in light of serious allegations that they violate his parliamentary immunity and freedom of expression.

IPU is calling for the DRC authorities and the newly established Constitutional Court to ensure full respect for parliamentary immunity and Mr. Ewanga’s fundamental rights in the ongoing judicial process.

It also calls for the immediate implementation of yesterday’s Supreme Court decision ordering the placement of Mr. Ewanga under house arrest instead of his detention in a Kinshasa prison.

Mr. Ewanga, General Secretary of the Union for the Congolese Nation (UNC), is accused of inciting hatred and insulting the Head of State – accusations he denies and considers to be politically motivated.

He was arrested after taking part in an opposition rally on 4 August against a proposed constitutional amendment that would reportedly enable President Joseph Kabila to run for a third term in the elections due in 2016.

DRC law states that MPs cannot be arrested without prior consent from the Parliament except in cases of flagrante delicto. However, it appears that Mr. Ewanga was not arrested during the rally but at his home 24 hours later. The Supreme Court has referred the matter to the newly-established Constitutional Court.

Without an appeal system in place for parliamentarians in DRC, Mr. Ewanga will be immediately tried for the above-mentioned charges unless the Constitutional Court rules in his favour. In such a case, it would then be up to the National Assembly to decide if the parliamentarian´s immunity ought to be waived or not.

“IPU welcomes the long-awaited establishment of the Constitutional Court and hopes that it will issue an exemplary ruling in this case, in strict compliance with the Constitution of the DRC and international standards. It will be a real test of its impartiality and independence,” said IPU’s Secretary General, Mr. Martin Chungong. “At such a critical time when the Constitution is under review, it is all the more important that MPs’ freedom of expression be scrupulously respected,” he added.

The IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians, which is currently working on the cases of 34 MPs and former MPs in the DRC, has repeatedly expressed concerns regarding the independence of the judiciary, due process and freedom of opinion and expression for parliamentarians of the DRC.

PARIS, France, August 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On Friday 1 August 2014 , Uganda’s Constitutional Court annulled the discriminatory Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA) passed by the Ugandan Parliament on 20 December 2013 and signed into law by President Museveni on 24 February 2014. The judges ruled on procedural grounds, finding that the text had been passed by Members of Parliament (MPs) without the requisite quorum. FIDH welcomes this decision upholding the rule of law, but underlines that LGBTI persons in Uganda remain stigmatized and repressed.

The Constitutional court’s ruling annulling the anti-homosexuality law is celebrated as a historic victory led by Ugandan LGBTI activists and human rights defenders. On Friday 1 August, the law was declared « null and void » by a unanimous Court of five members ruling that the process had contravened the Constitution, as it was passed in Parliament without the necessary number of legislators – a third of the Assembly. This ruling comes after 10 petitioners, including academics, journalists, both ruling and opposition MPs, and human rights activists challenged the anti-homosexuality law in March 2014.

« Though this ruling does not deal with the substance of the law, it still is a relief for LGBTI persons , civil society organisations and health service providers who were all put in situations of vulnerability and at risk of criminal prosecution », declared Karim Lahidji, FIDH President. « Ugandan authorities must now guarantee the effective protection of all persons against discrimination and violence, regardless of their sexual orientation, and investigate and prosecute human rights violations suffered by LGBTI persons since the passing of the law in Parliament last December », he added.

Despite the annulment of this punitive Anti-Homosexuality Act, the fight against discrimination and violence against LGBTI persons in Uganda is far from over : same-sex relations remain criminalised and punishable by imprisonment under existing legislation, and LGBTI activists are particularly at risk. Activists and civil society organisations warned that the state could appeal against the ruling in the Supreme court, and legislators might try to reintroduce anti-homosexuality measures. The Anti-Homosexuality Act has had dramatic consequences for LGBTI persons and led to their further stigmatization : since December 2013, the number of arrests, threats, harassments and assaults on people known or suspected to be LGBTI has increased drastically according to Ugandan rights groups. Following the promulgation of the law, some LGBTI Ugandans fled the country after being persecuted.

In line with its previous statements on the AHA, FIDH calls on the Ugandan authorities to engage in a genuine fight against discrimination by not attempting to re-introduce this law and ensuring respect for fundamental rights and freedoms of all persons regardless of their sexual orientation, in accordance with international standards.

« The cancellation of this dangerous Anti-Homosexuality Act is an opportunity for Uganda to uphold its national and international human rights obligations by reviewing existing legislation criminalising same-sex relations. The rule of law should not go against the protection of people’s fundamental rights and freedoms. Authorities have the duty to ensure the human security of every person in Uganda without any form of discrimination, including sexual orientation,», said Sheila Muwanga Nabachwa, FIDH Vice-President.