Newscast - Africa

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has confirmed the removal of electricity subsidies by the Federal Government.
The Chairman of the Commission, Mr Sanusi Garba, says the review was conducted in line with multi-year tariff order that mandates that electricity tariffs be reviewed every six months.
Mr Garba says it is the duty of electricity distribution companies to inform their customers of tariff review outcomes and the cost of power.
He blamed the poor state of electricity supply and grid collapses on vandalism of gas pipelines to power plants, plants maintenance and a trip on the 330KV line from the Ughelli power plant.

The UN human rights chief condemned Saudi Arabia’s execution of a record 81 people in a single day and urged the kingdom to stop using the death penalty.
Michelle Bachelet says war crimes may have been committed if people were beheaded following court cases that do not offer proper fair trial guarantees.
Saudi Arabia earlier said it had executed a record 81 people in one day for terrorism-related offences, exceeding the total number killed in the whole of 2021 and sparking criticism from rights activists.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights says that among those beheaded, 41 belonged to the Shiite minority, and had taken part in anti-government protests in 2011-2012.

The EU adopted new sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, with diplomats saying the oligarch Roman Abramovich was among the individuals listed.
The EU presidency tweeted that the ambassadors of the bloc’s 27 member nations approved the fourth package of sanctions, hitting individuals and companies implicated in the assault on Ukraine.
It says their names were to be made public in a quick publication of the EU’s Official Journal legally announcing all the European Union’s decisions adding that the sanctions were worked out in concert with Western partners.

The Somali government says it will sustain a reform program that it has initiated in various sectors following the conclusion of an International Monetary Fund mission to the country.
The IMF mission says Somalia's economy is expected to grow 3.2 per cent in 2022 but faces downward risks.
The IMF says the country's growth will be supported by remittances, foreign direct investment, and increased public spending as grant financing unlocks once the elections process is complete.
It says inflation is expected at 6.5 per cent in 2022 due to higher food and energy prices while the fiscal deficit is expected to narrow to 0.5 per cent of the gross domestic product as revenues and budget grants recover.

Digital and mobile app money lenders in Kenya have been given until the end of September to either apply for an operating licence or cease operations.
The Central Bank of Kenya Governor Peter Njoroge says regulations governing the lenders will be gazetted later this month, meaning all the apps will be regulated by the government.
He says they are guilty of predatory behaviour, high-interest rates and customer harassment for those who failed to pay the loans on time.
The government has since early 2020 blocked digital lenders from listing defaulters with Credit Reference Bureaus - saying the companies had abused the system.

Mozambique's government says the country must reduce its reliance on imported cereals warning that current wheat and fertiliser shortages may result in price rises.
Agricultural Minister Celso Correia says by 2030 Mozambique plans to produce all of its own rice.
It is one of several African nations reliant on wheat imports from Ukraine, now struggling as the European nation enters its third week of conflict with Russian invaders.

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mele Kyari says Aviation jet A1 fuel is to be sold at N500 within the next three days to prevent airlines from shutting down.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Wase, says the meeting was in continuation of the investigation over the scarcity and high cost of aviation fuel, which has led to an increase in air fares.
Mr Kyari says a better pricing mechanism is to be put in place within the next three days to arrive at an acceptable price.
He added that airline operators will be granted license to import aviation fuel

World football ruling body, FIFA has made minor changes to the list of match officials for this month’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 playoff clash between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Black Stars of Ghana.
They will compete in a two-leg fixture that will confirm who picks one of Africa’s five slots at this year’s FIFA World Cup finals, first in Cape Coast on Friday, 25th March, and the return leg in Abuja on Tuesday, 29th March.
Moroccans Rédouane Jiyed (referee), Lahsen Azgaou (assistant referee 1), Mostafa Akarkad (assistant referee 2), and Samir Guezzaz (fourth official) are retained for the first leg duel in Cape Coast, but Mandu Humphrey of Uganda has now replaced South African David Junse Van Vuuren as security officer.

The House of Representatives at plenary urged the federal government to set machinery in motion to hand over the moribund refineries to International Oil Companies operating in Nigeria or other competent private organizations with a view to resuscitating the facilities.
Hon. Dagomie Awaji-Abiante underscored the need for President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to save Nigerians from the recurring hardship of petroleum products scarcity across the country.
Awaji-Abiante expressed concerns that the non-functioning of the refineries has resulted in the payment of fuel subsidy, importation of bad fuel, and the resurgence of long queues at filling stations across the country which has seriously impacted negatively on the wellbeing of Nigerians.

The Senate has rescinded its decision on the passage of the Proceeds of Crime Recovery and Management Bill 2022.
The House took the decision during plenary on Tuesday and subsequently sent the bill to its Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters and Anti-Corruption for more legislative work.
Senate Leader Yahaya Abdullahi explained that the re-amendment of the bill became imperative in view of the amendment that was made to Clause 74 which placed the burden of proof on the investigating agencies but not on the defendant as recommended by the Joint Committee in its report.
He says these concerns are fundamental issues that require fresh legislation.