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How Russia-Africa Trade Increased To $18bn After 1st Summit -Putin
Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has said that Russia-Africa trade reached 18 billion dollars in 2022, which was necessitated by the first Russia–Africa Summit held in Sochi, Russia in 2019.
Putin said this yesterday at the ongoing Russian-African summit and Economic and Humanitarian Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia.
He said that Russia’s government, business and the public were sincerely interested in further deepening multifaceted trade, investment and humanitarian ties with Africa.
The Russian president said this would meet the needs of all countries and promote stable growth and prosperity.
“I have no doubt that by working together, we will be able to increase our trade substantially in the near future.
“Incidentally, in the first six months of 2023 alone, our export-import transactions with African countries increased by over one third.
“The structure of our trade looks good as well: machinery, equipment, chemicals and food account for over 50 per cent of Russia’s exports to Africa.
“We are aware of the importance of uninterrupted supply of food products to African countries. This is vital for their socioeconomic development and for maintaining political stability.
“This is why we will continue to give special attention to supplying wheat, barley, corn and other grain crops to our African friends, as part of humanitarian aid provided under the UN World Food Programme,” he said.
Putin said Russia’s trade with African countries in agricultural products increased by 10 per cent amounting to 6.7 billion dollars, and had already demonstrated record growth between January and June 2023 by 60 per cent.
He said Russia exported 11.5 million tonnes of grain to Africa in 2022 and almost 10 million tonnes in the first six months of 2023.
He explained that these had been taking place in spite of the “illegal sanctions” imposed on its exports, which constituted a serious impediment for exporting Russian food, complicating transport, logistics, insurance and bank transactions.
“We are witnessing a paradox. On one hand, the West seeks to block our grain and fertiliser exports while accusing us of the current crisis on the global food market.
“This is outright hypocrisy. We saw this approach in all clarity with the so-called grain deal brokered with the participation of the UN Secretariat.
“It was initially designed to promote global food security, mitigate the threat of hunger and help the poorest countries, including in Africa,” he said.
However, he said that in almost a year since the so-called deal was concluded, a total of 32.8 million tonnes had been exported from Ukraine.
The Russian president said over 70 per cent ended up in high-income and above-average income countries, including the European Union.
“I would like to draw your attention to the fact that countries like Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia and several others received less than three per cent of this total, or under one million tonnes.”
He further said that among other things, the reason Russia agreed to take part in the “so-called” deal was because it contained commitments to lift the illegitimate obstacles for supplying grain and fertilisers to the global market.
Putin, however, noted that none of all what was agreed upon or promised, materialised.
“None of the conditions relating to lifting the sanctions against the exports of Russian grain and fertilisers to the global markets had been fulfilled.”
He said the country faced obstacles when trying to deliver mineral and fertilisers to the poorest countries that needed them for free, as its government discussed during the meeting with the leadership of the African Union.
“We managed to send only two shipments – just 20,000 tonnes to Malawi and 34,000 tonnes to Kenya, with 262,000 tonnes of these fertilisers blocked in European ports.
“All the rest remained in the hands of the Europeans, even though this initiative was purely humanitarian in nature, which means that it should not have been exposed to any sanctions, as a matter of principle.
“Ok, some may not want Russia to enrich itself, as they say, and use its revenue for military aims; fine.
“But these were free shipments! But no, they would not let them through, in spite of all this empty talk about their desire to help the poorest countries,” he said.
He assured that Russia could fill in the gap left by the withdrawal of the Ukrainian grain from the global market, either by selling its grain or by transferring it for free to the neediest countries in Africa.
Putin also announced that in the next four months, his government would supply at no cost 25,000–50,000 tonnes of grain each to Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, the Central African Republic as well as Eritrea.
“Ukraine produced about 55 million tonnes of grain in the past agricultural year, as exports amounted to 47 million tonnes, including 17 million tonnes of wheat.
“While Russia harvested 156 million tonnes of grain last year, it exported 60 million tonnes of which 48 million tonnes was wheat.
“Russia’s share of the world wheat market is 20 percent, while that of Ukraine is less than five per cent. This means that Russia is a significant contributor to global food security and a solid, responsible international supplier of agricultural products.
“On this note, hose who claimed that this was not the case, that it was only to secure the so-called grain deal to export Ukrainian grain, were simply twisting the facts and telling untruths.
“We are seeking to actively participate in the formation of a more equitable system for the distribution of resources and we are doing our best to prevent a global food crisis,” Putin assured.
He further assured that Russia would continue to support states and regions in need, as well as those that need humanitarian supplies.
The Tide source reports that the summit which started on July 27 and will end on July 28 has its theme as “Technology and Security in the Name of Sovereign Development for the Benefit of Humankind”.
The Tide source is one of the media partners of the Russia-Africa Summit 2023 and its Managing Director, Mr Buki Ponle, is also attending the event.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.