Connect with us

National

$53bn Needed To Rebuild Gaza, UN Estimates

Published

on

More than $53 billion will be required to rebuild Gaza and end the “humanitarian catastrophe” that has gripped the war-ravaged territory, including $20 billion in the first three years alone, the United Nations said Tuesday.

The global body said in a report that a “political and security framework” must also be put in place so that recovery and rebuilding can begin, and groundwork can be laid for a political process to quickly end the Israeli occupation “and establish a viable two-State solution.”

Much of Gaza — including schools, hospitals and other civic infrastructure — has been reduced to rubble by a withering Israeli military offensive following an unprecedented Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

“The interim assessment offers an early indication of the enormous scale of recovery and reconstruction needs in the Gaza Strip,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in the document, cautioning that it was not a full assessment.

“The report estimates the short, medium and long-term recovery and reconstruction needs across the Gaza Strip at $53.142 billion. Of these, the near-term needs in the first three years are estimated to be around $20.568 billion,” he added.

In a resolution adopted in December calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, the UN General Assembly had asked Guterres to provide an assessment of the territory’s needs within two months.

The report assessed that with “over 60 per cent of homes” destroyed in the year-plus war between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, the housing sector requires around $15.2 billion.

According to the report, the commerce and health sectors will need an estimated $6.9 billion.

ALSO READ:  Fuel spill: LASTMA, emergency responders avert disaster in Lagos 

Reviving the agricultural industry will take around $4.2 billion, transport will require $2.9 billion, water and sanitation an estimated $2.7 billion and education $2.6 billion.

The report also noted the exceptionally high costs of $1.9 billion anticipated for the environmental sector “due to the massive debris laced with unexploded ordnance and the high cost associated with debris removal.”

The United Nations has estimated that the war has generated more than 50 million tons of debris, including human remains, unexploded ordnance, asbestos and other hazardous substances.

“Critically, the Palestinian Authority must be at the centre of planning for and the implementation of recovery and reconstruction in Gaza,” Guterres said in the report, which was dated January 30.

That was days before US President Donald Trump said he wanted to “take over” Gaza, redevelop the territory and oust the more than two million Palestinians living there.

His plan has prompted a global backlash and has been rejected by Palestinians.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

National

Kabir Akanbi confirmed as substantive Chief Registrar of Supreme Court

Published

on

The Federal Judicial Service Commission has approved the appointment of Kabir Akanbi as the Acting Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court effective Feb. 13.

The confirmation was contained in a statement issued by Dr Festus Akande, the Director of Information and Public Relations, Supreme Court on Sunday in Abuja.

The appointment followed the retirement of Hajo Bello who attained the mandatory retirement age of 60 in public service.

Prior to his appointment, Akanbi served as the Deputy Chief Registrar in charge of the Election Petition Tribunal Unit at the Court of Appeal headquarters, Abuja.

Akanbi obtained his Law Degree at the University of Ibadan in 2001, and was subsequently called to the Nigerian Bar in 2003.

In 2005, he got his LL.M Degree at the Temple University, in Philadelphia, United States of America.

He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria and the Institute of Information Management, Africa, respectively.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, congratulated Akanbi on his appointment.

She urged him to apply his vast experience in legal practice, corporate advisory, and public service leadership, particularly in software development and legal technology, to further enhance the efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness of the Supreme Court.

ALSO READ:  SMEs: Better Life Partners Jaiz Bank To Secure Interest Free Loan For Women
Continue Reading

News

Atiku Backs Lagos Corper Facing Threats Over Viral Video

Published

on

The former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has praised National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member Ushie Rita, who referred to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as “terrible”, saying she embodies the spirit of a new generation of women championing political participation and advocacy.

Rita has accused the NYSC of allegedly threatening her after she complained about Nigeria’s economic struggles.

In a TikTok post, she expressed frustration over the country’s rising cost of living, lamenting that prices keep increasing, making it difficult for her to survive independently.

The corps member criticised President Tinubu, calling him a “terrible president” and questioning what his administration is doing to address the economic crisis.

Reacting on his X account, formerly known as Twitter, Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last election, said:

“I deeply admire her boldness and wisdom—her fearless resolve to speak truth to power, undeterred by the weight of opposition.

She follows in the footsteps of formidable trailblazers like Gambo Sawaba, Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti, Margaret Ekpo, and countless other women who have stood resolute in defence of the common good.

Rather than being met with hostility, Rita deserves encouragement and support. She is a shining emblem of Nigerian youth—a testament to the long-held promise that the leaders of tomorrow are already among us, ready to shape a better future.”

ALSO READ:  Steel Minister distributes rice, fertiliser to Kogi residents
Continue Reading

National

FG Must Stop Threatening Nigerians For Criticising Govt – Amnesty Int’l

Published

on

Amnesty International on Sunday said the Federal Government must stop threatening individuals and groups who criticise the current administration.

“The Nigerian authorities must stop responding with violence and threats to individuals and groups who express dissenting opinions — in utter disregard for Nigerian constitution and international law. Holding and voicing dissenting views is not a crime,” the organisation in a statement on its X handle.

It also condemned the alleged threats and intimidation being faced by Lagos-based National Youth Service Corps member, Ushie Uguamaye.

This followed her viral TikTok video where she criticised President Bola Tinubu’s government over hardship Nigerians face as a result of the economic reforms.

The human rights watchdog denounced the reported threats from NYSC officials, emphasizing that Uguamaye was well within her rights to express her frustration over the country’s worsening economic conditions.

“Amnesty International strongly condemns threats and intimidation directed at a lady who posted TikTok video lamenting the current escalating economic hardship. The lady alleged that NYSC officials @officialnyscng threatened her for refusing to delete the video,” the statement read.

“It is perfectly within her right to express discontent peacefully. Instead of threatening her for her opinions on rampant inflation, the authorities should prioritise addressing the country’s economic woes.

“Millions of people in Nigeria are facing extreme poverty. So far, the authorities have failed to put in place effective mitigation measures, leaving millions of people without the hope of getting out of the economic challenges and enjoying their human rights.”

Millions of people in Nigeria are facing extreme poverty. So far, the authorities have failed to put in place effective mitigation measures, leaving millions of people without the hope of getting out of the economic challenges and enjoying their human rights.

ALSO READ:  SMEs: Better Life Partners Jaiz Bank To Secure Interest Free Loan For Women

Uguamaye alleged that shortly after the video went viral, she began receiving threats, purportedly from NYSC officials, pressuring her to delete the content.

She expressed fears for her safety, stating that her personal details had been leaked and that she was being pressured to report to the NYSC office.

Continue Reading