A Chinese envoy told the UN General Assembly Emergency Special Session on Ukraine that the facilitation of a ceasefire is a top priority and the door to a political solution cannot be closed.
Author: staff reporter
A recent report by The Wall Street Journal, targeting several China-built global mega-projects, was filled with distorted facts, one-sided stories, and unfounded accusations — an attempt to discredit the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.
What’s the real picture of these projects? Are they really “falling apart” as sensationally claimed by the WSJ? Xinhua reporters traveled there, studied the cases and talked to authorities, experts and engineers.
Here is what we found.
by Xinhua writers Zhao Bochao, Li Li
QUITO/ISLAMABAD/KAMPALA/LUANDA, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) — Adriana Carranza, a resident in the San Luis village in northern Ecuador, has fond memories of her days working with a Chinese company at the Coca Codo Sinclair (CCS) hydroelectric project from 2012 to 2015.
“Thanks to the work I had done for (a subcontractor of) the Sinohydro Corporation, I was able to save money,” the former cook at the company told Xinhua. The job was well paid with good working conditions.
Carranza is among the thousands of Ecuadorians who have worked at the Chinese-constructed project, some 150 km east of the capital Quito. As the country’s biggest hydropower project, the 1,500-megawatt CCS has been running smoothly for over six years, generating around 42 billion kWh of clean and renewable hydroelectricity, becoming the largest power source for Ecuador.
However, a recent report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), which also spoke to Carranza, painted a gloomy picture of the CCS project with distorted facts and unfounded accusations.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). With infrastructure construction a key priority, 81 Chinese central state-owned enterprises have been involved in over 3,400 projects in countries along the Belt and Road by January 2021. The cumulative amount of China’s direct investment in these nations reached 161.3 billion U.S. dollars from 2013 to 2021. A World Bank report estimated that when fully implemented, the BRI could help nearly 40 million people in relevant countries leave poverty behind.
Turning a blind eye to such achievements, the WSJ article dated Jan. 20 criticized several Chinese-built mega-projects in Latin America, Asia and Africa in an attempt to smear the China-proposed initiative.
FALSEHOODS & MISREPRESENTATION
“The 14-hour days were long, and her Chinese boss didn’t speak Spanish,” wrote the WSJ about Carranza’s experience working for Sinohydro’s sub-contractor.
Contrary to what was described in the report, Carranza told Xinhua she was well paid for working extra hours. During her pregnancy, her boss and colleagues treated her “as if I was their daughter.”
“We usually want to work (extra hours)” and “I’m satisfied with my salary,” said Graciela Quirina, who also worked in a Sinohydro kitchen.
The WSJ’s misrepresentation went further. Citing unnamed government engineers, the U.S. daily alleged that the CCS plant has thousands of cracks in its “eight turbines” due to “faulty steel imported from China” and boldly speculated that it could soon “break down.”
In an interview with Xinhua, Miguel Calahorrano, Ecuador’s former Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, said the WSJ article lacks veracity and “has a political intention.”
“How can a plant that is of no use to us have come to produce almost 42,000 gigawatt hours of energy? I’m sure these people don’t even understand what 42,000 gigawatt hours of energy means,” the former minister said.
“It clearly has the political intention of trying to devalue the relationship” between China and Latin American countries, he said.
Regarding the cracks, Sinohydro and the Ecuadorian State Electricity Company hired the German testing agency TUV SUD in 2018 as an international independent third party, which concluded in its risk assessment report that these cracks will not affect the operation and safety of the plant for its design life of 50 years.
As to the suitability of the steel, the TUV SUD report indicated that the base materials are within the values required by the specifications.
Furthermore, the WSJ associated erosion along a section of the Coca River and the disappearance of a waterfall with the Chinese-built project to hype up its environmental consequences.
Ecuadorian government-commissioned research conducted by Swiss consulting company Lombardi concluded that the disappearance of the waterfall was a natural phenomenon and had nothing to do with the construction of the CCS — a view shared by many geologists, local media reports said.
Ecuador has never lodged the issue with Sinohydro, which was tasked with the construction, according to the Chinese company.
Calahorrano said that the CCS plant has managed for the first time in the country’s history, together with other hydropower plants, to raise hydroelectricity in the electrical matrix to more than 93 percent, reducing the use of fossil fuels, saving the country about 1.3 billion U.S. dollars a year from fossil fuel imports and cutting carbon dioxide by about 18 million tons a year.
ONE-SIDED STORY
Under the sensational headline “China’s Global Mega-Projects are Falling Apart,” the WSJ article went on to bring in Pakistan’s Neelum Jhelum hydroelectric project, and again blamed “flaws” in Chinese construction for its shutdown in July 2022.
The accusation is far from the truth. The quality of the Chinese construction, as evaluated by local authorities during its handover in 2018, was impeccable and up to standard.
Sajjad Ghani, chairman of the Pakistan Water & Power Development Authority, told Xinhua that the WSJ report is unjustifiable.
“The quality of construction of the Neelum-Jhelum hydropower project has been fair,” said Ghani.
There is no doubt that the China Gezhouba Group Co, the main contractor for the project’s civil work, “has done all these things successfully,” said Muhammad Irfan, CEO of the Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Company, which now operates the plant.
The root cause for the shutdown, Irfan told a parliament meeting in November, was pressure from a mountain on the underground tunnel, resulting in partial collapse and a blockage.
The problem emerged when Pakistan was ravaged by floods seen as the “worst in history,” while earthquakes were recorded in the surrounding areas of the plant. Irfan said Neelum Jhelum has signed a new contract with the Chinese constructor to repair the tunnel, with the civil work contract already completed.
In Uganda, another Chinese-constructed project — the Karuma hydropower plant — also came under harsh criticism from the WSJ, which blamed “cracked walls” for delays.
The Chinese constructor Sinohydro told Xinhua that the problem was discovered in 2016 but not substantial enough to compromise the stability of the structure, and has been dealt with properly to the satisfaction of all parties.
“In order to provide a standard power plant, we are always liaising with experts in all fields of the power plant construction to achieve high quality standard plant,” said Bless Ayebazibwe, head of the Ugandan technical team at Sinohydro, adding that they have worked with an architectural expert from Canada, manufacturers from all over the world who always visit the site when called upon, as well as local experts.
Local and international engineers who supervise the construction of the 600-megawatt plant along the River Nile said the project is being built to international standards, despite insurmountable challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and “rampant vandalism” which have impacted the project’s timeline, according to Sinohydro.
Vandalism has been a threat to Uganda’s electricity infrastructure. More than 300 tons of parts have been stolen from the Karuma plant and more than 50 km of conductors cut off and stolen, according to Sinohydro. Delays in compensating landowners affected land acquisitions, impacting the project’s timeline.
This photo taken on Feb. 4, 2023 shows the Karuma dam at Karuma Hydroelectric Power Station in Kiryandongo, Uganda. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua)
The Chinese company said it would overcome all these challenges and hand over a high-quality plant to Uganda.
The Isimba Hydro Power Plant in Uganda, built by China International Water & Electric Corporation, was also targeted. The company said the WSJ report was “misleading.”
There is “a lack of inquiring first-hand information” in the report, said Muhammad Idrees, a Pakistani civil engineer working at the project site.
Niu Hongtao (L), assistant project manager of Isimba Hydro Power Plant, and Muhammad Idrees, a Pakistani civil engineer working at the project site, interact during a tour at Isimba Hydro Power Plant in Kayunga, Uganda, on Feb. 9, 2023. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua)
“We can see that this is just to exaggerate the scenario whereas the project is running well, generating power, heading to the national grid,” he said, calling the project “a successful commission.”
Meanwhile, the WSJ reported that the Chinese side “failed to build a floating boom to protect the dam from water weeds and other debris, which has led to clogged turbines and power outages.” The company dismissed the accusation, given that the problem never occurred at Isimba.
“The WSJ report is pure slander,” it added.
This photo taken on Feb. 9, 2023 shows Isimba Hydro Power Plant switchyard in Kayunga, Uganda. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua)
Also in Africa, the vast Social Housing Project Kilamba Kiaxi, built by China’s CITIC Construction outside the capital of Luanda, Angola, was criticized by the WSJ for alleged poor construction quality.
However, Fan Juntao, general manager of the Chinese company’s Angolan division, told Xinhua that there is no construction problem, as the issues of cracked walls and humidity mentioned in the WSJ report are quite rare and result from some tenants’ improper renovations.
The substandard renovations have destroyed the original water and electricity pipelines, leading to water leakage in some houses, Fan said.
“The Kilamba Kiaxi (project) has been completed with good quality,” said Carlos Augusto, an Angolan engineer who is working on Phase II of the project, adding that the apartments are at full occupation and no major complaints have been lodged by the residents.
Niu Hongtao (L), assistant project manager of Isimba Hydro Power Plant, and Muhammad Idrees, a Pakistani civil engineer working at the project site, tour the switchyard at Isimba Hydro Power Plant in Kayunga, Uganda, on Feb. 9, 2023. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua)
ENORMOUS BENEFITS
Overcoming power shortages is critical if Uganda is to grow its economy and industrialize. The 183-megawatt Isimba plant now accounts for roughly 14 percent of the East African country’s total installed capacity. The Karuma plant is expected to increase capacity by 40 percent upon completion.
Solomon Acaye (R) employed by the Karuma project works with his colleagues at Karuma Hydroelectric Power Station in Kiryandongo, Uganda, on Feb. 5, 2023.
Solomon Acaye is one of around 15,000 Ugandans employed by the Karuma project. He joined it as a mason but now leads a construction team.
“I came with only the skill of house construction, but as soon as I joined here, I’ve learned a lot — carpentry, steel fixing,” he told Xinhua, noting that his newly acquired skills would prove helpful once the project ends.
As part of the projects, roads were paved and widened, and schools and health service buildings were constructed. Hamis Muzinga, who lives near the Isimba project, noted that workshops are mushrooming in nearby towns, “basically set up by former workers of Isimba.”
Neighboring communities near the Karuma plant are happy to have the large project in their area, said Ismail Bongomin, chairman of the Karuma Town Council. “Because this one is going to (benefit) generation after generation. It’s not just like a thing for today only,” he said.
With a total of 20,002 housing units and the support of municipal works, the Angolan Kilamba Kiaxi project has become home to around 120,000 residents in Luanda.
Costa Sebastiao, a Kilamba Kiaxi resident for seven years, said the condominium has changed his life in many ways.
The Chinese company has brought positive changes to the city, especially for young people, he said, adding “a good number of young people did not have homes, and with the construction of the project, they managed to get a house.”
From the China-Laos Railway that transformed the landlocked Laos into a land-linked hub to Kenya’s Mombasa-Nairobi Railway contributing more than 0.5 percent to the African nation’s economic growth, the Belt and Road Initiative has helped many developing nations embrace fast development.
Kenyans sing and dance beside one of the first batch of locomotives for the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in Mombasa, Kenya, Jan. 11, 2017.(Xinhua/Sun Ruibo)
But the initiative has fallen prey to a Western-led smear campaign. Denis Mwaba, lecturer in Civil Engineering at the University of Zambia, noted that U.S. media have been publishing “damaging” reports to “blacken the efforts of China.” The WSJ article is heavily biased and “not a proper articulation of the facts,” he said.
Mwaba said the ubiquitous success of the global infrastructure program has gained Africa’s favor.
Projects under the Initiative are meeting the continent’s needs, revolutionizing infrastructure and shifting the African development landscape, said Gideon Chitanga, associate researcher at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa.
This photo taken on May 8, 2022 shows a section of the Nairobi Expressway built by China Road and Bridge Corporation in Nairobi, Kenya. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)
Belt and Road cooperation is also in full swing in Latin America. “China currently offers an alternative to traditional financing schemes, which has led to more prosperous and realistic development aid,” said Argentine economist Pablo Levinton, who believes there is a vast difference in how the Chinese invest compared to the West.
“Any Western investment is based on a simple calculation of expected profit that results from subtracting planned expenses from expected revenues,” he explained. “In China’s case, while that is the basis for any type of investment, it is not summed up as a mere profit margin, but rather as a ‘win-win’ concept.”
Photo taken on Aug. 24, 2018 shows the Punta Sierra wind farm in Coquimbo region of Chile. (Xinhua/Wang Pei)
The best proof that the CCS plant works is the production of clean energy and its economic, social and environmental benefits for Ecuador, which have yet to be evaluated by those who criticize the project and try to disqualify it, said Calahorrano, the former Ecuadorian minister.
The hydroelectric plant has also bolstered the country’s energy sovereignty and sustainability, with Ecuador no longer depending on imported energy. On the contrary, it has become an energy exporter in significant quantities to Colombia and Peru.
Speaking with Xinhua, Nancy Chicaiza, a shopkeeper in San Luis who was also quoted in the WSJ report, said she missed the days when the Chinese company was present.
“I am grateful because Sinohydro has helped us a lot,” she said. Enditem
(Li Guorong in Quito, Jiang Chao, Tariq Hameed and Ali Jaswal in Islamabad, Ji Li, Ronald Ssekandi and Patrick Onen in Kampala, Lv Chengcheng in Luanda, Jin Zheng in Nairobi, Yan Liang in Mexico City, and Chen Weihua and Xie Zhao in Rio de Janeiro contributed to the report.)■
By Fred Maingi
Janus Continental Group(JCG) which is a leading brand in the energy and real estates has launched a new Corporate website and newly designed Logos.
The African conglomerate which is undergoing a corporate re-brand has reaffirmed its commitment to building a sustainable future for Africa.
JCG is comprised of market leading companies in Energy, Real Estate, Conservation and Hospitality sectors.
Above all, JCG is also one of the major contributors of Africa’s energy sector.
Group Chief Operations officer Hellen Akello said “We are an African success story with a track record spanning over 38-years across the continent.
She went on to add “Conservation and Hospitality division serves as a beacon of conservation- preserving and protecting natures beauty and wildlife for present and future generations.”
JCG, she added, is ready to showcase its full suite of businesses and how they all work together towards a common goal to take them forward for the next 10 years.
Surina Treon, Head of Marketing and Communications at JCG said:
“We were really careful to ensure that our purpose is not just about societal impact,” she explained. Infrastructure will Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, as part of a Bongo sanctuary in 2022.
A forum on tackling miscarriages was held in Nairobi in a bid to improve maternal health.
The Heroic Women forum group took place with a theme, Rising above Maternal Health Challenges and seeks to encourage the women facing challenges due to miscarriages.
Scholastica Wanjiru Muthondu founder of Heroic Women Forum told the journalists in Nairobi that the event was started in order to help women who have lost their children before or during birth process.
Muthondu noted that the child loss leads to them facing stigma in the society, and later leads to depression.
She recalled how her relative faced the challenge of losing children and therefore, decided not to blame the government and start an initiative of helping women facing miscarriage.
“My goal is to see women being able to carry on with their lives,” she added.
The Heroic Women Forum was founded on January 20, 2023year and so far 20 women has joined her in her vision.
Photo/ Maximila Wafula
The Supreme Court of Kenya on Friday, February 24 ruled that the NGO Board’s decision to bar homosexuals from forming recognised groups is discriminatory.
The court stated that despite homosexuality being illegal in Kenya, members of the LGBTQ still have a right of association.
Clergy organisation under the House of Clergy Association has come out strongly to condemn supreme court ruling in favour of LGBTQ NGO Registration.
Speaking in Nairobi, a delegation led by Bishop Elizabeth Thuiya of the House of Clergy Association has condemned the ruling terming it as a dangerous precedent that could lead to the further erosion of Society’s moral fabric.
Bishop Thuiya has said that by allowing the registration of such an organisation, it’s a continuation of its insidious agenda of corrupting youths and undermining the traditional values of the nation.
” By allowing the registration of such an organisation, the court has effectively given the green light for the LGBTQ movement to continue its insidious agenda of corrupting our youth and undermining the traditional values that have made our nation great. ”
The Association has, however, called The President Dr. William Samoei Ruto to take a strong stance against this ruling, terming it as a nation if it has a duty to protect values by upholding the laws.
“We call on his Excellency, President Dr. William Ruto, to take a strong stance against this ruling and publicly denounce it for what it is – an attack on the very foundation of our society. As the leader of our great nation, it is his duty to protect our values and uphold the laws that govern us.”
Further, the Clergy Association has demanded the National Assembly to act in reversing the ruling and employ laws that will prevent further attempts promoting the LGBTQ agenda in society.
Finally, the Bishop Thuiya of the House of the Clergy Association has vowed to stand united in the condemnation of this ruling, and it’s committed to defending the moral values that is of promoting the community.
“We will not rest until this ruling is overturned and the LGBTQ agenda is dropped or relegated to the dustbin of history where it belongs.”
Kenya on Thursday urged Africa to strengthen its health care systems in order to patient safety.
Nakhumicha Wafula, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Health said in speech read of her behalf by Dr Francis Kuria Head of the Directorate of Public Health in Nairobi that health care systems are complex and patient safety requires robust and effective regulation so that the health care system can provide the necessary resources and infrastructure.
“The challenge for medical regulators is to create relevant and fit for purpose effective systems that can respond to the rapidly changing environments in the health sector,” Kuria said during the opening of the association of medical councils of Africa (AMCOA) workshop.
The three day forum brought together regulatory and professional associations from Africa to review ways to harmonize their standards.
The conference was held under the of “Strengthening Governance of Health Regulation”.
Simon Nemutandani, President, Association of Medical Councils of Africa (AMCOA) said that there is no reason to deny Africans global quality healthcare as the continent has the relevant talent to provide world class healthcare.
Nemutandani urged the African elite to seek the services of the local health facilities instead of going abroad for medical services.
“I wish to see our leaders to utilize public hospitals in order to inspire confidence for African hospitals,” he observed.
He added that harmonization of health training across the continent will allow the free movement of health personnel across the vast continent.
The Government has vowed to partner with KISM in order to boost businesses in the country.
Felix Koskei, the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service told journalists in Nairobi that the KISM has been in the forefront of enhancing professionalism in the Kenyan supply chain sector.
” The government will partner with KISM to spearhead compliance with the prevailing laws in the supply chain sector in adherence to the provisions of Article 227 of the Constitution of Kenya on ensuring that procurement and disposal systems were fair, equitable, transparent competitive, and cost-effective,” Koskei said during a working tour of Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM) and the Kenya Institute of Supplies Examination Board (KISEB).
Koskei was received by the KISM Chairman John Karani accompanied by the Ag. CEO Serah Okumu. They were also joined by Dan Ajele representing the KISEB Chairman.
Serah Okumu on her part committed to ensure that the supply chain sector enhanced government procurement.
By Fred Maingi
Several “fake doctors” who have been treating residents of Kieni West County through their free medical camp have been arrested.
Acting on a tip-off and printed fliers, the said “doctors” ave been using another name of Afya Bora foundation Hospital which is based in Mwea County to deliver their services
The said ” fake doctors” according to Afya Bora Hospital CEO Dr. Wachira Wagioko have been operating without a valid license from the Kenya Medical & practioners Board.
Further, they ave been accused of using another name Afya Bora that belongs to Mwea based hospital facility.
“We didn’t know them. We used google map to trace this people who have been using our name and brand to benefit themselves. We finally got them” noted Mr Wachira.
The CEO said their action of treating innocent patients without a valid license and using someone’s name and brand is a criminal offense. “This is pure impersonation “Wachira noted.
However residents of Kieni West County, Gatarakwa Location, Kamariki sub location , Mugunda ward were caught by surprise at the Belleview Baptist Church venue when they saw their doctors being held captive.
The sick residents mainly women who came from neighbouring locations defended the said fake doctors running the free medical camp claiming they ave saved the life’s of many sick patients since their arrival.
Mary Wanjiru-one of the sick patients absolved the accused doctors from any blame saying they ave benefited immensely from their free medical services.
Nevertheless , The patient called for the two feuding parties to iron their differences amicably and reach for a common ground so that the free medical camp no is not disrupted .
The CEO while addressing the sick patients however insisted they were not against the free medical camp but were against their name and brand being used to benefit some individuals .
By Nicholas Manduku
Last year,President Ruro gave an executive order No.1 of 2022 that the National Biosafety Authority which made it easy for the ministry to push the implementation.
The NBA has assured the nation that all researchers are ready to creat a good platform and therefore as the Authority we will ensure every kenyans understands the meaning and how its helpful to their lives.
The government is setting aside 2% of the GDP to the National Biosafety research.
With the theme:”Harnessing Agricultural Biotethrough Effective Biosafety Management Systems “how to advance the Biosafety.
Speaking to journalists ,Dr. Roy Mugira,Chief Executive Director has said the authority has decided to carry public awareness about the biotechnology.
He said lack of accurate information on GMO has led to panic and mistrust to governance actoss the country.
The GMo has been approved by UN convention and the law also approves it.
“The fear of the unknown is a natural reaction,and we will ensure we have a packaged information to the public,”he added
Remember in 2008 , the then ministrer was Hon Ruto currently the president of Kenya was the one who launched the agenda to kenyans.
“We are going to partner with all leaders including MPs,MCA and County governments for effective dissemination of the GMO.”he said
Kenya and Morocco on Tuesday signed an agreement to boost cooperation on combating trans national crime.
Kenya’s Director of Public Prosecutions
Mr. Noordin M. Haji, and the Morocco’s King’s Attorney General, and
President of Public Prosecutions of the Kingdom of Morocco, Mr.
Moulay El Hassan Daki inked the Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) to enhance understanding and
comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.
Haji said that the pact is founded on the principles of respect, equality and
mutual benefit in compliance with parties’ respective legal systems
and international treaties.
“The MoU will strengthen networking and cooperation in combatting
trans- national organized crimes such as cyber crimes, corruption,
money laundering, trafficking in drugs and persons, terrorism, and
violent extremism,” he added.
The two parties shall cooperate on a number of areas ranging from the
exchange of official working visits at all levels to maintain and
strengthen mutual understanding, the strengthening of cooperation
in prosecutors’ training, to the organization of conferences, thematic
seminars related to the professional skills of the parties.