NAIROBI, 19 November 2012 (IRIN) – Before he knew what was happening, Charles Ngeana, 31, at the scene of Nairobi’s 18 November blast, was struck by a flying sheet of metal. The roof of a packed ‘matatu’ minibus on Route 28 was lifted up and its right side completely blown out. “I ran at first because of the dust,” said Ngeana. “The impact was very big.” Ball-bearings, used to maximize the impact of an explosive device, left nearby vehicles speckled with holes. “It definitely came from inside the matatu,” Ngeana said. It took him a few moments to realize he... Continue Reading
…as the Nation Observes World Toilet Day – By: Augustine N. Myers – As Liberia joins countries the world over to celebrate this year’s World Toilet Day on Monday, November 19, 82% of Liberian women are said to be without a safe toilet thereby increasing their risk of illness, shame, harassment and violence. A Report released by WaterAid says over eight in ten women in Liberia have no access to a safe toilet, threatening their health and exposing them to shame, fear and even violence. According to Mr. Apollos Nwafor, Country Representative of WaterAid Liberia, this means that on World... Continue Reading
The progress of the young but promising democracy of Sierra Leone will undergo a major test on Saturday, November 17 – less than a week from now – when electorates go to the poll to determine their leaders for various political offices from the presidency down to town councillorships. In the run-up to the upcoming elections, the local media, as usual, have been fully engaged in providing the electorate with valuable analyses and evaluations of the performance of those who have been in office and are seeking reelection. Additionally, they have been educating the public on new candidates. However, local... Continue Reading
By Elias Mhegera – It has been revealed that land grabbing in Tanzania is aggravated by weakness of laws that have been formulated in the general administration of land matters. Current studies indicate that the sudden rush for farmland that appeared to peak in 2009 was triggered primarily by the food price crisis of 2007 and 2008. Many commentators agree that the crisis was sparked by a convergence of events that included reduced grain stocks and a jump in oil prices that prompted a diversion of some food stocks to bio-fuels. Speaking to the Guardian exclusively in a research that... Continue Reading
By: WASH R&E Network-Liberia – The issue of safe water, better sanitation and hygiene facilities for residents of Robertsport city in Grand Cape Mount County, Western Liberia is indeed serious and needs urgent intervention. Citizens and residents of Robertsport city lack safe drinking water, improved sanitation and better hygiene, a situation if not addressed, could degenerate into an unbearable condition. Rigid poverty and other life-shortening signals have already entrapped over the three thousand persons in Robertsport, the provisional capital of Grand Cape Mount County in Western Liberia. The people are vulnerable to a spate of water borne diseases and poverty... Continue Reading
