Uganda – The Annual Report Audit General for FY ended 2014 – Value for Money Audit Volum 5: Quotes and Outtakes from this.
This blog here will be focused on the ‘Office of the Auditor General’ who released ‘Annual report of the Auditor General for the Financial Year ended 30th June 2014 – Volume 5 Value for Money Audit’. What you will read is actual quotes from the paper or report. Here you get a vivid picture of how the financial year (FY 2013-2014) was in reality.
I haven’t taken everything from the piece. It would be too long and you might end up bored. Here is what should get your mind boggling and wonder. How could this be this way? Why is it like this? How did it end up like this? What does this tell me about the economic practices in Uganda? And so on. If you start to think like that, then it was worth using my time. Enjoy the quotes from the report. Hope you catch some wisdom.
When it comes to managing Public Debt:
“Public debt is incurred primarily for financing budget deficits, development of domestic financial markets, supporting the country’s Balance of Payment (BOP) position/foreign reserves and monetary policy objectives. In Uganda, public debt is managed by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) in liaison with Bank of Uganda (BoU). Government borrows internally from domestic markets through issuance of Treasury bills and Bonds by the BoU and externally through Bilateral and multilateral borrowings. Currently, over 60% of the public debt is external debt and 40% is domestic debt. GoU borrowing has been rising over the years from USD 5.7 billion in Financial Year (FY) 2011/12 to USD 7 billion in FY 2013/14. The growing National debt, if not properly managed, could revert to unsustainable levels as was the case in the past”.
“Interest rates on domestic debt have overall stabilised in recent years relative to their peak in 2011/12. However, they remain a cause for concern due to their high contribution to overall debt service costs and the relatively high yields which they attract stand in stark contrast to those achieved by comparator nations with similar credit ratings”.
When it comes to roads:
“The Uganda Road Fund invested a total of UGX 914 billion in road maintenance activities during the three years under review (2011/2012, 2012/2013 and 2013/2014),4 with a total of 4,565km of roads maintained. Despite the increasing investment, there are reports and persistent public outcry about the poor state of roads and the deteriorating quality of works being executed. The physical and financial performance reports of designated agencies in FY 2011/12 revealed the following issues: budget indiscipline, poor absorption of road maintenance funds, inaccuracies in reporting, lethargy of Designated Agencies (DAs) in complying with reporting requirements, widely varying unit costs, risk of loss of funds through end of year procedures, and grave underperformance of periodic maintenance works” (…) ”The road maintenance needs in Uganda cannot be met due to limited resources, for example for FY 2011/2012, the total maintenance needs from the agencies was UGX 413.95bn, and the budget provided by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) was UGX 280.95bn, indicating a 32% deficit” (…) “The road maintenance equipment inventory maintained by the URF is incomplete; the inventory is only for 12 (55%) of the municipalities and it is outdated as it was submitted in January 2011”.
When it comes to Gas and Oil:
“Through a review of reports on procurement submitted by the oil companies to PEPD, it was noted that from 2010-2013, the oil companies spent a total of USD 1,171.8 million on purchase of goods and services. Of this, USD 329.9 million was paid to Ugandan service providers, representing 28% of the total spend for all the companies in the period under review” (…) “The Ugandan service providers comprised about 73% of the approved suppliers which implies that the total value of the procurements from them was less than their relative number” (…) “Ugandans employed in the oil and gas sector by the oil companies overall rose from 69% in 2012 to 80% in 2014, absolute numbers of employees decreased from 546 to 432 between 2013 and 2014; in particular, the nationals dropped from 370 to 347 over the same period” (…) “For all the 27 jobs advertised in the newspapers, attracting over 700 local applicants, none was appointed, citing lack of experience in the oil and gas sector. Instead, the recruitment report submitted by the CNOOC to PEPD recommended recruitment of expatriates” (…) “According to the Industrial baseline survey done by the Joint Venture partners (CNOOC, TEP and TUOP), 60% of the workforce required for the next phases will be technicians and craftsmen, which translates to a demand of 7,800 and 1,800 technicians and craftsmen at the peak and plateau phases, respectively, of development and production. With the current total of only 86 UPIK graduates, there is doubt that the projected demand will be met by the time production starts (2018)” (…) “There are still several areas with clear potential for enhancing national content, such as: establishment of a clear regulatory framework, performance targets and indicators for national content; determining the level of state participation; local supplier development; employment and training of Nationals by the oil companies and government; ensuring gender parity and involving host communities”.
When it comes to the Healthcare:
“The Uganda Health Systems Strengthening Project (UHSSP) is a project administered under the Ministry of Health (MoH)” (…) “UHSSP, is a five year project, which was established in 2010, commenced operations in February 2011 and is due to end on 31st July 2015. The UHSSP project is jointly funded by the Government of Uganda (GoU) and the World Bank to a tune of USD 14.31 million and USD 130 million, respectively” (…) “UHSSP was set up to bridge the existing gap of supply and maintenance of medical equipment in 46 selected health facilities in order to improve the quality of health care delivered to patients. The project has spent USD 24 million (UGX 60.480 billion) on procurement and supply of these medical equipment, yet some of the equipment remains unused in the facilities where it was supplied” (…) “For instance, at the time of audit field visit in September 2014, the project had supplied anesthetics machines to 165 HCIVs at a cost of USD 2,063,085.75, however, all the HCIVs visited were not utilising this equipment because they lacked the technical expertise to effectively utilise the equipment. In a related instance, 2 auto strainers valued at USD 25,345.68, which were issued to Mubende and Moroto Regional Referral Hospitals, are not operational because of lack of qualified staff” (…) “observations conducted during field visits to the seventeen selected beneficiary health facilities, it was noted that some of the equipment supplied, worth Euros 3,954.67 and USD 1,209,879.09, was not being used at all while other equipment was not optimally utilized” (…) “Through field inspections, it was observed that health facilities namely Mwizi had no power supply while others such as: Moyo, Aduku, Aboke Pakwach had unreliable solar power supply, and therefore, were not providing emergency obstetric care services when needed” (…) “that various equipment supplied by the project, worth USD 319,676.35 and Euros 347.24, required additional logistical supplies to be effectively put to use. Such equipment included anesthesia units which required regulators, oxygen cylinders and other reagents while incubator cultures, incubator baby, defribrators, counting chamber, colorimeter required Medias, distilled water, thermometers, tubes and batteries”.
When it comes to handling Public Debt Part 2:
“Uganda benefited from the various Debt relief initiatives like the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) Initiative in 1998, the Enhanced HIPC in 2000 and the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI) in 2006. Despite these initiatives, GoU borrowing has been rising over the years from USD 5.7 billion in Financial Year (FY) 2011/12 to USD 7 billion in FY 2013/14. The growing National debt, if not properly managed, could revert to unsustainable levels as was the case in the past” (…) “In the FY 2013/14 Public debt increased to USD 7 billion up from USD 6.4 billion in F/Y 2012/13, reflecting a 9.38% increment in one year alone, the increment was way above the GDP growth of 6.2% in the FY 2013/14. Domestic debt accounted for 9.55% (UGX 1,437 billion) of the National budget, 2014/15 an increase of 1.65% (UGX 397 billion) from 7.9% (UGX 1,040 billion) in financialyear 2013/14. External financing on the other hand increased from UGX 2,660 billion in F/Y 2013/14 to UGX 2,733 billion of the National budget, 2014/15 an increase of UGX 73 billion. As non-concessional borrowing increases, the need for proper debt management becomes even much greater” (…) “On average, 60% of public debt is external loans of which Multilateral loans constitute over 80%. The domestic debt is largely derived from the sale of bonds which constituted an average of about 60% over the period FY2011/12 – 2013/14 “ (…) “In evaluating whether the debt, acquisition process facilitates debt sustainability, the audit mainly focussed on the acquisition of external debt since it constitutes over 60% of the National debt portfolio” (…) “The 2012 corruption scandal involving the Prime Minister’s office resulted in a changed relationship between multilateral lenders to the Ugandan government and a consequent reduction in the amount of aid in the form of direct budget support. Budget support in 2011/12 amounted to 168m USD, but reduced to 24.1m USD in 2013/14. The shortfall has in part been filled through domestic financing” (…) “The lack of coordination between debt and cash management functions contributed to inaccurate forecasting of cash needs. This exacerbated the problem of unplanned cuts to government programmes and led to the needless issuance of short-term debt, with the associated debt service costs” (…) “it was noted that local government authorities still held significant cash balances accrued from non-tax revenues and unutilised balances which were not remitted to the Consolidated Fund regularly, and that some accounts containing cash lay dormant, risking embezzlement” (…) “the current economic conditions characterised by reduced exports and a depreciating Ugandan Shilling against the dollar (30% for the last 4 months) there is a risk of stress which can affect future sustainability. Interest rates on domestic debt remain a cause for concern due to their high contribution to overall debt service costs (78%)”
When it comes to Health Care Part 2:
“Over the past three financial years 2011/12, 2012/13 and 2013/14, there has been an 18% increment in the funding of RRHs from UGX 53.86 billion to UGX 63.56 billion” (…) “Jinja nd Lira RRHs revealed that Jinja RRH which ran a 13-bed Intensive Care unit only used 6 of the beds, leaving 7 beds idle in the unit while Lira RRH had not utilized its 16-bed ICU since FY 2012/13. The Hospital Directors of Jinja and Lira RRHs explained that more nurses wouldhave to be deployed as each bed required at least 2 full time nurses to the unit to ensure full utilisation of the unit without compromising the quality of care. The unit would also require full time doctors and an anaesthesiologist. In Lira RRH, management explained that the ICU had not been commissioned and that its underutilisation was also due to the absence of an oxygen plant” (…) “With the current ICU bed capacity in Uganda of 61 in all public and private hospitals, 23 unutilized ICU beds in Jinja and Lira represents a wasted resource. It is estimated that about 10 critically ill patients were deprived of ICU admission daily and as a result succumbed to their illnesses” (…) “Hospital managers in response attributed this to the lack of bio medical engineers and high costs of repairing the equipment, for instance, according to Jinja RRH, the maintenance of the En-Visor ultra sound machine and the repairs of the Duo-Diagnostic big x-ray machine requires not less than UGX 15 million, and without a medical equipment maintenance fund, it is a challenge to maintain and repair the radiology and imaging machines. Management of Fort Portal RRH attributed the low usage of the x-ray and ultrasound machines to stock-outs of the supplies, such as reagents and films required for the operation of this diagnostic equipment” (…) “The average doctor-patient ratio per year in RRHs was 12440:1 implying one doctor for 34 patients per day while clinician- patient ratio was 10652:1 annually implying one clinician for 29 patients” (…) “For example; Kabale, Fort Portal, Masaka and Mbale Regional Hospitals referred some special cases to Mbarara RRH for services like CT scan, renal dialysis, neurosurgeon, paediatric surgery. In addition, lack of adequate staff has led to referrals to the National Referral Hospital and this has further resulted in the congestion and handling of cases at National Referral Hospital which cases could be handled by the RRHs. The process of referrals is costly and in some cases patients lose their lives in the process of reaching the health facility to which they have been referred”.
When it comes to Management of Sewage in Urban areas:
“Poor sanitation costs Uganda 389 billion shillings annually, equivalent to 1.1% of the national GDP” (…) “Fifty six percent (56%) of the pipes in Kampala were built in the 1940s and 86% of these have been operational for 35 years or more” (…) “National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC)” (…) “NWSC had spent UGX 10.9billion towards sewage management activities in the areas under its jurisdiction over the last three years” (…) “the volume of sewage generated in the different towns and the volume of sewage collected and treated by NWSC, a study conducted by Mott Macdonald on behalf of NWSC in December 2012 estimated that by 2014, a total of 238.9 ML of wastewater would be generated of which, only 8.38ML would be collected and treated. This leaves approximately 230.52 ML of generated sewage uncollected and therefore not treated”.
Short ending:
I hope this was worth your time and also giving you an indication on the matters on the ground. This is just a fragment on the matters and what got told in the report. This just comes as gift to you. Especially to all of you who don’t use time reading the report on your free will or are lucky enough to get the report in your mailbox. Never the less, hope you got enlighten and also got a picture on how the monies is spent in last FY. Peace.
Arrival Statement: African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) to the 24 May 2015 Parliamentary Elections in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (24.05.2015)
Press release: Red Cross responds to growing need for regional assistance following Burundi pre-election violence (23.05.2015)
Nairobi/Geneva 23 May 2015 – The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is deeply concerned about the current situation in Burundi and its humanitarian consequences in the country and region.
Pre-election tension and violence have intensified in recent weeks in Burundi, resulting in a number of casualties in the capital of Bujumbura. More than 100,000 Burundians have fled across the country’s borders into neighbouring Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania.
The Rwandan Red Cross reports that 26,756 Burundians have crossed its border over the past three weeks, while UNHCR reports at least 76,520 Burundians have fled to Tanzania.
In Tanzania, the men, women and children, who fled their homes only with what they could carry, are also now facing a cholera outbreak. According to health officials, 33 people have died so far. The outbreak is feared to be worsening with more than 2,000 suspected cases now reported, increasing at the rate of 300 to 400 new cases per day, particularly in Kagunga and nearby areas. At least 15 suspected cases have been reported on the Burundi side of the border. Many cases of acute watery diarrhoea have also been reported.
“Over half of the refugees from Burundi who seek refuge in Tanzania are children who are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases like cholera. Many of the families arriving are female-led which makes them even more vulnerable to violence and insecurity,” said Finn Jarle Rode, IFRC regional representative, East Africa. “There are urgent needs in water and sanitation, health, first aid and shelter.”
IFRC is supporting National Red Cross Societies in Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania in responding to the urgent and rising humanitarian needs, especially those of woman and children who are the most affected in the current crisis, and to ensure close collaboration and coordination between the three National Societies.
On 20 May, IFRC launched an emergency appeal for 1 million Swiss francs to support the Tanzanian Red Cross Society in delivering assistance to 20,000 Burundian refugees with a focus on emergency health, water, sanitation, hygiene promotion, emergency shelter, and relief. Since the beginning of the crisis, staff and volunteers of the Tanzania Red Cross Society have been on the frontline of the response, providing people in need with immediate humanitarian assistance. A Field Assessment Coordination Team (FACT) has also been deployed to further evaluate the needs of the refugees and update the Red Cross response plan accordingly.
In Burundi, the Red Cross deployed three first aid mobile response teams in Bujumbura. They are offering onsite first aid treatment, evacuation of the injured to hospitals, and referrals of pregnant women caught up in the violence. Burundi Red Cross is monitoring the situation closely in all provinces and has pre-positioned stocks to be able to adapt its response to the fast changing context.
In Rwanda, the National Society has been supporting refugees at different entry points, in two transit camps and in one permanent camp with registration, first aid, psychosocial support, distribution of non-food items and helping separated family members regain contact with their loved ones.
“The Red Cross is on the front lines of this response, and currently, a lot remains unknown,” said Jarle Rode. “As the needs of those affected become clearer through our on-going assessments, we will undoubtedly have to seek significant additional resources to ensure affected people and families in Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania receive the humanitarian support they deserve.”
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network, reaching 150 million people each year through its 189 member National Societies. Together, the IFRC acts before, during and after disasters and health emergencies to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. It does so with impartiality as to nationality, race, gender, religious beliefs, class and political opinions. For more information, please visit www.ifrc.org/africa. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
Address by His Majesty Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II Kabaka of Buganda at a Special Prayer Service held on 24th May 1996 in remembrance of the 1966 attack on the Lubiri
Your Excellency, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of The Republic of Uganda; Your Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic Corps; My Lord Bishops; Obuganda:
We are greatly honoured to have in our midst, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of The Republic of Uganda; and all the guests from inside and outside Buganda and Uganda to remember the storming of the Lubiri by Uganda Army troops on the morning of 24th May, 1966.
Let me begin by once again congratulating President Museveni on his victory in the presidential elections which were concluded recently. Mr. President, may the Lord guide you as you steer the ship of state to greater peace, stability and development.
Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I decided to remember the 24th May because it is of great significance to my family, Buganda and Uganda. The events of that fateful day changed our lives as a family and the lives of the Baganda and Ugandans in a fundamental way and many of us are still trying to come to terms with the changes the events of 24th May 1966 brought about.
I thank the Lord for having enabled my father, the late Ssekabaka Mutesa II and some of his aides, for having successfully fought their way from the burning palace to safety. We should remember the clergy at Lubaga for the hospitality they offered my father at his greatest hour of need and for assisting him to escape to safety. I thank his loyal subjects who assisted him on his long march to freedom. I thank the British government who agreed to accept him as a refugee and all those who supported him and comforted him in the loneliness of his London exile.
Let us remember all those who stood by him and fought by his side and died at the hands of the Uganda Army of which he was Commander-in-Chief; Let us remember all those who were imprisoned and tortured; Let us remember all those who lost their loved ones and those that had to live in constant fear of the authorities and those who were traumatised by the violence unleashed by the authorities.
This is a very sad chapter in the history of our country but we cannot skip it, because there are lessons to be learned from it that can greatly contribute to the building of a peaceful and united Uganda.
On that fateful day the Lubiri, embodiment of Kiganda culture and traditions and the very soul of Buganda went up in flames and brought to a halt almost 1000 years of history. For once in her long history Buganda was without a King. She became an ant-hill without the queen ant. We never lost hope that one day our cultural integrity as Baganda would be restored and we thank God that, that integrity which we craved and cherish was restored in 1993.
The Baganda cannot continue to mourn indefinitely for what was lost. We should not continue to labour under the burden of self pity because this self pity will destroy our soul and, therefore, our resolve to rebuild Buganda. Let me in this connection draw the attention of our people to the book of Nehemiah in the Holy Bible for inspiration. In chapter 2 verses 17-18 and I quote “Then I said to them ‘You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer disgrace’. ….and they said ‘Let us rise up and build’. So they strengthened their hands for the good work”.
Instead of lamenting the sorry state to which Jerusalem had been reduced and stopping there, the children of Israel rebuilt Jerusalem. I would like to tell the Baganda that 30 years of mourning are enough. Now is the time to begin rebuilding Buganda with our brains and hands. No greater tribute can be paid by us to the memory of those who suffered and died at the hands of tyrants than the rebuilding of Buganda in all respects.
The place to begin the building of Buganda is the discipline of our youth. Buganda was built on discipline and I, therefore, charge parents and opinion leaders in Buganda to inculcate discipline amongst our youth. They are the ones who are going to build the New Buganda of our dreams and they must, therefore, have the discipline to do so. I ask all the leaders in this crusade to lead by example. That is the only way our youth will learn to lead disciplined lives.
It is sweat and toil that makes countries prosperous. The Baganda must, therefore, sweat and toil to make the land of their ancestors a great place to live in once again. The Baganda should stop running away from Buganda in the hope that somehow miraculously somebody else will develop the land for them to come back to when it begins to flow with milk and honey. Nobody will develop the land for you but yourselves, and this is the greatest challenge that you face. Baganda derived great pride and satisfaction in the payment of taxes in the past. Baganda were very proud of their good manners. Let us rediscover that pride and use it to rebuild Buganda and Uganda. Buganda was built on accomodation and the palaces of the Kabakas were the melting pots of nationalities and talents. Buganda still stands on her record of accomodation but what we ask for is reciprocity. Indeed Uganda would become a very strong and united nation if there was reciprocity all around.
Lastly let me make this pledge – the Mutebi reign will be one of reconciliation, unity, peace and development.
I thank all the celebrants and all those who have graced this occasion with their presence.
Press release: The Ethiopian sham election serves only the dictatorial government (23.05.2015)
The Tigray dictatorial ruling class was built on excessive military power. The regime indulged the country into extreme poverty. The corruption of the ruling class was one of the main machinery that put the country into the highest level of economic inequalities where the few members of the ruling class became the richest and the majority of the citizens are unable to even earn their daily bread. This high level of inequality resulted into absolute poverty, migration and loss of lives of hundreds of thousands of people. Today hundreds of thousands of Ethiopian people are living in hunger and insecurity in their own country. Some are cherished in Sahara desert and Mediterranean Sea while they were trying to escape from unfair and abusive government.
For the last 24 years, since the Tigray ruling class came to power, the corruption, displacement of people and human rights abuses have increased with the tremendous speed. This misery darken the political space and eradicated people’s hope for democracy. The Ethiopian people have been denied political freedom and rights of expression of their opinions. In this current regime, it is a crime to have different political opinion rather than supporting the Tigray ruling class’s party. The Ethiopian regime recorded highest level of Human rights abuses, killings, and intimidations not only in African continent but also in the world.
The Tigray ruling class came to power with military force; it has built its dictatorial regime on military power and will continue to do so. One party dictatorship rule was the vision they had from the very beginning. They proved their vision within the last 24 years. In the future, they want to rule Ethiopia under one party dictatorship rule. The Tigray ruling class never listened to the Ethiopian people, nor willing to listen in the future. The responses to peoples’ questions were imprisonments, tortures and killings.
The main priority for the Tigray ruling class is to stay on power. One of the strategy they designed to stay on power is to carry out fake election every five years. The last four elections proved that the ruling class is the most dictatorial regime on the planet. This 5th election that will take place on May 24, 2015 is not different from the previous elections. This election will not make any change to the political system and democracy in the country but it is only to renew the power of the ruling class for the next 5 years. This election is not democratic and not expected to fulfil the interest of the Ethiopian people. The election board is established by the current ruling class; the so called participating political parties are not treated fairly; the members of the opposition parties are arrested, harassed and beaten; the election process do not follow the democratic principle. Therefore, one can easily to judge the outcome of such unfair and sham election.
The Ethiopian people was struggling for peace and democracy for several years. Among the people struggling for their rights the Oromo people was on the forefront. The Oromo people was struggling for many years and made huge sacrifices to regain their freedom and democracy. The Oromo people is not struggling to gain nominal seats in dictatorial government system but to become free from a century long political, economic and social domination. This objective cannot be achieved through participating in the election organised by the dictatorial ruling class.
Particularly to the Oromo youngsters and students, you have made significant sacrifices to move the Oromo struggle forward. In order to make your sacrifices yield a fruit, you must continue your struggle for freedom and democracy. Participating in this fake election means that you forget the sacrifices your brothers and sisters made. Participating in this election means that you’re building the power of your perpetrators. From many years’ experience, the OLF knows the plan and behaviour the Tigray ruling class. The OLF knows that this regime is not prepared to leave its position even if they lose the election, which is unlikely within the current election process.
Therefore, the OLF wants to inform the Ethiopian people in general and the Oromo people in particular, that this election stands only to serve the Tigray ruling class and to keep them in power for the next 5 years. This election does not fulfils the interest the Ethiopian people and do not lead to peace, stability and economic development of the country. The OLF wants to remind the Oromo and other people in Ethiopia that it should not mislead by this sham election.
Particularly to the Oromo people, you are the first target of the Tigray ruling class. The power and strength of this regime works against you. So the OLF remind you to stay away from any activity, including the current election that build the Tigray regime and keep them in power.
Victory to the Oromo people!
Oromo Liberation Front
May 23rd 2015
The two songs that I liked from Eurovision 2015.
Well, everybody is reading and congratulating Sweden on yet another victory! In the musical competion that happened in Vienna yesterday evening. Instead of bickering and wavering around the facts and 12 pointers. I’ll let my taste of music taste speak for itself. With videoes made for my two songs that I actually thought well of. Because like always there is the typical – “the best evening of our lives songs” and “love you baby its unbearable” kind of tracks with a lot of flash. Here they are:
My first choice – Georgia:
My second choice – Albania:
Enjoy! Peace.
Opposistion leader (UPD-Zigamibanga) Zedi Feruzi assassainated in Burundi
Zedi Feruzi, the leader of Burundian party Union for Peace and Democracy (UPD) have today (Saturday evening 23.05.2015) been assassainated by a drive by shooting in district of Ngagara, located in the center of the capital Bujumbura. When he was on his way home. Also two more persons has lost their lives in the attack on Zedi Feruzi, they we’re his guards. No reports or indication on who is behind the assassaination (this is what my sources know).
Press Release: UNHCR and partners appeal for US$207 million for Burundi Emergency (23.05.2015)
Press Releases, 22 May 2015
Today the UN Refugee Agency and 17 partners launched the Regional Refugee Response Plan to protect and assist up to 200,000 Burundian refugees in the neighbouring countries.
Since early April, nearly 100,000 Burundians have fled political turmoil, violence and intimidation and sought safety in neighbouring Rwanda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As the situation in Burundi remains tense and violence continues to be reported, aid agencies fear that the number of refugees may double over the next six months.
“Burundi does not need another crisis”, High Commissioner Guterres said, referring to Burundi’s civil war that lasted from 1993 – 2005 and sent hundreds of thousands of Burundians into exile. “After the progress that had been made under the Arusha peace accords, it is heart-breaking that people have to flee their country again.”
Guterres praised the neighbouring countries for keeping their borders open and called on the international donor community to support the Regional Refugee Response Plan. “The authorities and host communities have been very generous in welcoming the refugees and allowing them to share local resources. I hope that the international community will match this generosity”.
Under the plan, participating agencies appeal for USD 207 million for basic protection and assistance activities until September 2015, when the plan will be reviewed. Arriving refugees will be registered and documented, undergo immediate health screening and receive food assistance and basic relief item such as blankets, mosquito nets, soap and plastic sheeting. In Tanzania and Rwanda, the refugees will be transferred to refugee camps, where they will receive shelter material, domestic items and have access to basic health and sanitation services. In South Kivu, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, many of the new arrivals found shelter with long-staying Burundian refugees who had fled the civil war. The arriving refugees will eventually also move to a site, and UNHCR and its partners plan to reinforce local services and facilities to benefit both refugees and the host community. Providing clean water, sanitation and health services as well as shelter are the main priorities of the Regional Refugee Response Plan.
Fjorddeponiet i Førdefjorden – Hva sier rapportene og direktoratene Del 2.
I og med dette ble sagt i Dagbladet igår. Så måtte jeg legge enda mer av rapporter på bordet. For å vise hva de vil ødelegge.
«Av og til må vi foreta avveininger mellom vakker natur og arbeidsplasser. I Sogn og Fjordane er det mye vakker natur, men fylket trenger også arbeidsplasser. Regjeringen anser seg ferdig med behandling av saken, sier Statsminister» Erna Solberg (Andersen).
Denne bloggen vil som min andre fokusere på sjødeponiet ikke på selve gruveanlegget på Engebø. Siden det ville gjort bloggen for stor og lettere å kunne fokusere på miljø aspektet i selve Førdefjorden. Noe jeg forsetter med siden Erna Solberg sine kommentarer til Dagbladet i går tente meg, å fått meg til å skrive dette innlegget idag.
Jeg har allerede en blogg med rapporter som er annerledes og fra andre fagorgan enn denne. Om du ikke har sett på rapporter fra forskjellige fagorgan som Norsk Institutt for Naturvernforskning(2009), NGU-Dagene informasjon 2009, Norsk Institutt for Vannforskning(2009), og til sist også Klima og Forurensingsdirektoratet(2012). Viste visse detaljer rundt konsesjonen som ble sendt til Fykesutvalget. Som viste en del faktorer som burde være bekymringsverdi med tanke på flokkuleringsmiddler, tungmettaler og malm som skal ned i sjødeponiet. Deretter viser det i dokumentasjon fra disse underliggende organene i staten hvordan reaksjon på økosystemet det med å ha sjødeponi i selve Førdefjorden.
Her er den:
Vil nå komme med mer informasjon siden jeg ble provesert av sitatet til Erna Solberg i går i Dagbladet. Så vil vise til flere underliggende organer og deres tanker. Denne vil vise til andre en forrige gang. Både hvilke grunner som gjør at Førdefjorden ble en verneverdig Laksefjord.
Stortingsproposisjonen nummer 32 spesifisere Førdefjorden som dette:
«Førdefjorden foreslås som laksefjord av hensyn til laksebestanden i Nausta. Fjorden utenfor vassdraget er midlertidig sikringssone for laksefisk. Den foreslåtte laksefjorden er noe større enn den midlertidige sikringssonen for laksefisk, men mindre enn det utredete området. Ytre grense er satt fra Flokenes til Horneneset. Den foreslåtte laksefjorden ligger i kommunene Askvoll, Førde og Naustdal og har et areal på ca. 63 km2»
Fylkesmannen i Sogn og Fjordane sendte over visse detaljer til Miljøverndepartmentet. Som viser hoved argumentene og område:
«4,4 km2 stort sjøareal i Førdefjorden (i kommunane Naustdal og Askvoll). Totalt forventa malmuttak er opp til 250 millionar tonn malm over heile driftsperioden på 50 år. I tillegg kjem 35 millionar tonn gråberg» (…) «Deponeringa av avgangsgangsmassane i Førdefjorden er det temaet som har skapt mest debatt. Det er reguleringa av eit slikt sjødeponi som er bakgrunnen for motsegna i denne saka» (…) «Motsegna frå Fiskeridirektoratet region vest er grunngjeve med at planen strir med viktige regionale og nasjonale interesser. Følgjande interesser er vektlagt:» (…) «Ut frå dagens kunnskap vil bruken av fjorden som deponi av gruveslam få urovekkande verknad på det marine miljøet, det biologiske mangfaldet i fjorden og på kysttorsken som ressurs» (…) «Saksutgreiinga frå kommunen har ikkje teke omsyn til verknadene djupvassdeponiet, utslepp ved bruk av ferskvatn og sprenging vil få for ål og nærare spesifiserte gytefelt for kysttorsk» (…) «Fylkesmannen noterer seg at både fylkeskommunen v/Fylkesutvalet og dei to kommunane v/kommunestyra ønskjer etableringa av gruve- og industriprosjektet, og at dei med det også aksepterer planane om sjødeponi» (Miljøverndepartementet 2011/750- 421,4).
Innspillet i notat fra flere fagorganer allerede i 2012 hadde klar tale om Nasjonale Laksefjorder slik som Førdefjorden som motstrider både lokale kommuner og fylkesutvalget:
« I st.prp. nr. 32 (2006-2007) er virksomhet med risiko for alvorlig forurensning nærmere definert. Her heter det at bestemmelsen om forurensning innebærer at laksen skal gis særlig beskyttelse mot akutt forurensning i laksefjordene. Ikke-akutte, operasjonelle driftsutslipp skal reguleres på vanlig måte etter forurensningsloven». Videre og senere kommer de med sin egen anbefaling som er klokkeklar: «Etter vår oppfatning vil alvorlig forurensning i randsonen av en nasjonal laksefjord i like sterk grad representere en trussel mot villaksen forutsatt at laksen må passere det påvirkede området» (…) «Anbefaling til strategien. Fjorddeponi med risiko for alvorlig forurensning i eller i randsonenav nasjonale laksefjorder bør ikke tillates» (Notat 29.02.2012).
Nasjonalt Instititutt for Ernærings- og Sjømatsforskning komme med disse kommentarene rundt matsikkerheten:
«Akrylamid i mat, som oppstår bl.a. ved varmebehandling av karbohydrater, ansees som et folkehelseproblem» (…) «Ved mineralutvinning blir flokkuleringsmidler værende i miljøet der biologiske organismer muligens kan omdanne/nedbryte kjemikaliene til metabolitter (som for eksempel monoakrylamid), mens ved vannrensing så vil restmengdene av kjemikaliene i vannet (etter at de er fjernet sammen med stoffene som skal renses fra vannet) ikke være i et biologisk miljø som kan omdanne polyakrylamidene. Dermed vil det være en vesensforskjell ved at i et deponi så vil kjemikaliene bli værende i det marine miljø i deponiet over tid» .
Videre kommer de med disse anbefalingene: «Anbefalinger for å vurdere sjømattrygghet ift prosesskjemikalier i mineralindustrien
1) Etablere offentlig publiserte og eller akkrediterte analysemetoder for hovedkomponent(er) i prosesskjemikalier og deres hovedmetabolitter i sjømat.
2) Bestemmelse av restkonsentrasjoner (eller fravær av) av prosesskjemikalier og deres hovedmetabolitter i sjømat i området omkring sjødeponi.
3) Fremskaffe informasjon angående akutt oral toksisitet, gjentatte dose (kronisk) toksisitet, eller toksisitet knyttet til genetiske effekter (in vitro eller in vivo), utvikling, eller reproduksjon i pattedyr modeller for stoffer som finnes i restkonsentrasjoner i sjømat»(Bakgrunnsnotat, 2015)
Om Kadium kommentere de dette: «Rapporten viser at eklogitten avgir en rekke metaller, og nevner spesifikt nikkel, kobolt, mangan og kadmium. Utlekkingsforsøkene viser at spesielt Cd og Mn oppkonsentreres i vannfasen. Etter 263 dager var konsentrasjonen av Cd i vann på 3,59 µg/l. Ut fra et sjømattrygghetsaspekt virker det derfor som at det primært er Cd som kan tenkes å representere en utfordring ved et evt deponi i Førdefjorden» (…) «Øvre grenseverdi for kadmium i krepsdyr for humant konsum på 0,5 mg kadmium/kg våtvekt gjelder for krepsdyr med unntak av brunkjøtt fra krabbe og kjøtt fra hode og torax hos hummer. Analyser gjort i forbindelse med overvåkning av sjømat gjort ved NIFES har vist at brunmat i krabbe kan akkumulere tungmetaller og andre miljøgifter» (…) «Anbefalinger for å vurdere sjømattrygghet ift metallene kadmium og titan som nanopartikler i mineralindustrien:
1) Bestemmelse av restkonsentrasjoner (eller fravær av) av kadmium i sjømat som krabbe og skjell i området omkring sjødeponi.
2) Etablere metodikk for titan i sjømat (NIFES måler i dag tilsvarende type metaller i sjømat).
3) Bestemmelse av restkonsentrasjoner (eller fravær av) av titan i sjømat som skjell og krepsdyr i området omkring sjødeponi.» (Bakgrunnsnotat, 2015).
Liten ekstra tidsramme sin viser at Erna Solberg ikke helt ferdig:
Akkurat nå har Bård Vegard Solhjell (SV) og Olav Elvestuen (V) fremsatt dokument 8:80 S 2014-2015, det ble fremsatt 24.03.2015. Der de stiller disse spørsmålene til stortinget:
«1. Stortinget ber regjeringa etablere ein praksis om at saker som omhandlar store gruveutbyggingar der vesentlege interesse står mot kvarandre, skal leggjast fram for Stortinget for endeleg avgjerd.
- Stortinget ber regjeringa leggje fram saka om gruvedrift og sjødeponi i Førdefjorden for Stortinget før innsigelse i reguleringsplan og utslepps-løyve vert slutthandsama.
- Stortinget ber regjeringa om at saka om gruvedrift og sjødeponi i Repparfjord vert lagt fram for Stortinget før utsleppsløyve vert slutthandsama» (Dokument 8:80 S).
For øyeblikket ligger saken i Energi og Miljøkomiteen som har frist til 28.05.2015. Debatt og vedtak er blitt foreløpig satt til 2.6.2015(Stortinget.no).
Avrunding:
Det som er funnet av informasjon viser til avgrensingen og begrunnelsen for hvorfor Førdefjorden er blitt satt som en laksefjorden for å forsikre laksebestanden i fjorden. Ikke minst også lage en såkalt sikrings-sone. Når du ser på bilde vil merke deg at sjø-deponiet vil bli lagt inni sikring-sonen.
(Den røde ringen viser hvor cirka selve sjødeponiet ville ligge i Førdefjorden).
At fylkesmannen og all informasjon som blir sendt i reguleringsplan av gruvedriften ved Engebø og sjødeponiet i Førdefjorden. Der all informasjon som hadde kommet fram til da: «Ut frå dagens kunnskap vil bruken av fjorden som deponi av gruveslam få urovekkende verknad på det marine miljøet, det biologiske mangfaldet i fjorden og på kysttorsken som ressurs». Om ikke det sier noe. På grunn av kommunene Naustadal og Askvoll ønsker det sterkt i sammen med fylkesutvalget. Det er grunnen til at Fylkesmannen ønsker å støtte forslaget, selv om all skade miljøet har kommet fram.
Deretter viser det til hva Nasjonalt Institutt for Ernærings og Sjømatsforskning om kjemikalier og hvordan reaksjoner dette vil ha i Førdefjorden. Med sterke og klare anbefalinger. Dette vil sees på en fortsettelse på flokkueringsmidler, tungmetaller og malm som vil skape reaksjoner i fjorden. Som viser til: «Dermed vil det være en vesensforskjell ved at i et deponi så vil kjemikaliene bli værende i det marine miljø i deponiet over tid». Kadium og tungmetaller viser at når det går over grenseverdier og viser at krabber tar til seg tungmetaller. Deretter bør noen så på de anbefalinger som Instituttet har kommet med.
Det som er gledelig at Bård Vegard Solhjell og Olav Elvestuen har satt igang spørsmål ved konsesjonen som er blitt gitt til sjødeponiet i Førdefjorden. Debatten i Stortinget vil forhåpentligvis komme med nye spørsmål.
Selv om det til nå viser allerede fra saksgangen i Sogn og Fjordane, fra kommunalt nivå til staten har valgt å trumfe arbeidsplasser over vernet laksefjord. Der Erna Solberg vår statsminister holder videre at arbeidsplasser har mer verdi enn alle advarsler fra alle innstanser og fleste underliggende organer. Som viser antatte skader og hva dette vil gjøre med økosystemet i Førdefjorden. Så lurer hun forsatt på hvorfor det er sterke reaksjon mot dette? Det altfor mange grunner til hvorfor man er imot sjødeponiet i Førdefjorden. Alle de rapporter som jeg har vist til. Viser hvilke konsekvenser det kan ha. Der en viser til strømninger i vannet, fin-partikler i sjøen, tungmetaller, malm og flokkuleringsmidler(kjemikalier) som vil skape noe nytt. Også med tanke på sprengingene i bunnen av fjorden. Noe som vil ha en vesentlig effekt både i nærområdet og generelt for livet i bunnen i fjorden. At dette ikke blir tatt til etterretning og man trumfer igjennom arbeidsplasser og utvikling. Hvilken utvikling? Mulig ødeleggelse av vakker fjord på Vestlandet for 50års gruve-eventyr? Vil det være verdt det? Er det slik ting blir målt. Det er i allefall provoserende hvor lite langsiktighet det er i tankene og hvor lite det er blitt lyttet til spesialorgan når argumentasjonen er det samme. Der en bare kikker på en en vesensverdi. Der skattepenger og grunnlag for arbeid har merverdi enn selve naturen en skal ta vare på.
Det vil være som om man har et verneverdi hus som er strengt regulert. Å begynner å rettet opp dette utenfor selve reguleringen fordi dette skaper arbeidsplasser. Staten ville ikke ha godtatt dette. Men fordi staten er staten. Å staten har godtatt konsesjonen å driften av gruvene på Engebø til Rutil utvinning. Da må Førdefjorden ha et sjødeponi midt i et velregulert vernet laksefjord. Uansett så burde det være bedre grunner til å bryte med alle råd og at man overseer alle mulige utredninger som er blitt gjort. Samtidig som dette skjer midt inni den velregulerte fjorden. Peace.
Referanser:
Andersen, Øystein – ‘Vi trenger arbeidsplasser og er ferdige med saken’ (22.05.2015) Link: http://www.dagbladet.no/2015/05/22/nyheter/innenriks/forurensning/miljo/fordefjorden/39297977/
Dokument 8:80 S (2014–2015) – ‘Representantforslag frå stortingsrepresentantene Ola Elvestuen og Bård Vegar Solhjell om Stortingets involvering i saker om store gruveplanar og sjødeponi’ (24.03.2015) Link: https://www.stortinget.no/no/Saker-og-publikasjoner/Publikasjoner/Representantforslag/2014-2015/dok8-201415-080/
Nasjonalt Institutt for Ernærings- og Sjømatforskning: ‘Bakgrunnsnotat- Gruvedrift og sjødeponi i Førdefjorden’ (16.03.2015)
Miljøverndepartementet(2011/750 – 421.4): ‘Reguleringsplan for rutilutvinning i Engebøfjellet i kommunane Naustdal og Askvoll – oversending av sak med motsegn’ (23.06.2011)
Havforskningsinstituttet/Fiskeridirektoratet/Nasjonalt institutt for ernærings- og sjømatforskning/Mattilsynet – ‘ Notat: STRATEGI FOR MINERALNÆRINGEN – INNSPILL TIL BRUK I UTARBEIDINGEN AV EN STRATEGI FOR MINERALNÆRINGEN’ (29.02.2012).
Stortings Proposisjon nummer 32 – 2006-2007
Stortinget.no – ‘Representantforslag om Stortingets involvering i saker om store gruveplanar og sjødeponi’ Link: https://www.stortinget.no/no/Saker-og-publikasjoner/Saker/Sak/?p=62350#step-link-3













