CEMO News Summary: Thursday, November 25, 2010

POLITICS

Armed Forces will have new uniforms

The Armed Forces for National Defence (FADM) will soon be issued different uniforms. This measure aims to standardise the various items of the military uniform, conditions of use and standards of manufacture, quality, sizes, colours and shapes which have been distributed. According to the Council of Minister’s spokesperson, Alberto Nkutumula, the FADM uniforms will be organised through the various units and work of the national defence force. Thus, there will be two gala uniforms, and walking uniforms, amongst others, which will be differentiated by various specialties. This matter was approved on Tuesday (23/11/10) during the 42nd session of the Council of Ministers.(Http://www.canalmoz.com/default.jsp?file=ver_artigo&nivel=1&id=6&idRec=9144)



Mozambique and Austria have healthy relations

The Chairperson of the Assembly of the Republic (AR), Veronica Macamo, met with the Austrian Ambassador, Maria Moya-Gotsch, on Tuesday. They discussed bilateral cooperation between the two countries, focusing on the parliamentary area. Macamo stated she considered relations between the two parliaments as hearty. Note: a group of Mozambican MPs and officials have visited Austria as part of cooperation between the parliaments of both countries. Meanwhile, Austria has donated a number of diverse supplies, including about 50 computers to Magna House. During the meeting, Macamo expressed an interest in seeing the Austrian Parliament Chairperson visit Mozambique. (Http://www.jornalnoticias.co.mz/pls/notimz2/getxml/pt/contentx/1133630)



Portuguese Consulate staff halt activities

Staff at the Portuguese Consulate in Mozambique paralysed activities yesterday, however staff from the embassy and Portuguese School did not join the general strike. The general strike was called by the major trade unions in protest at austerity measures adopted by the Portuguese government of José Sócrates, which started at 0:00 pm across the entire Portuguese country. According to the Consul of Portugal in Maputo, Graça Goncalves Pereira, 18 employees from the institution joined the strike. The Portuguese embassy in Mozambique opened normally yesterday and all departments were operating, which did not reflect the effects of the strike in Portugal.(Http://www.jornalnoticias.co.mz/pls/notimz2/getxml/pt/contentx/1133629)



ECONOMICS AND DEVELOPMENT

Reforms allowed companies to save US$ 10 million

The economic adviser for the Confederation of Business Associations of Mozambique (CTA), Eduardo Macuacua, has argued that reforms introduced by the Government over the last ten years have enabled companies to make significant savings and reduce production costs. For example, reforms created in the tax system, for the private sector, saved approximately 10 million U.S. dollars (USD). Macuacua stressed that enterprises in the tourism sector have gained the most due to the elimination of Value Added Tax (VAT) on investment projects. It should therefore be considered important that the country carries out further reforms, as they could produce results which would significantly impact the functioning of national companies and beyond.(Http://www.radiomocambique.com/rm/noticias/anmviewer.asp?a=6147&z=98)



Mega-projects in Mozambique generated 9.8 billion U.S. dollars

A total of 9 mega-projects which were approved in Mozambique have generated capital of 9.82 billion U.S. dollars for the country. According to the Mozambican Minister of Planning and Development, Aiuba Cuereneia, this level of investment is a major factor in the formation of "gross national capital," a key component in attracting other investments. Cuereneia made this statement at the National Assembly (AR), in Maputo, yesterday (Wednesday 24\11\10).

(Http://www.radiomocambique.com/rm/noticias/anmviewer.asp?a=6141&z=100)



Tete and Moatize to have new water supply network

A network of 85 miles of new drinking water pipelines will be built, in the city of Tete and the village of Moatize, over the next two years. A project funded by the World Bank through the program Wazzs, costing approximately 4 million dollars. The director of the Heritage Fund and Water Supply (FIPAG) in Tete, Carmen Bilal, indicated this scheme follows work needed to identify the key needs and those areas with greatest water shortages who would be the project’s first priorities, and in many cases work has already started on the replacement of obsolete pipes.(Http://www.jornalnoticias.co.mz/pls/notimz2/getxml/pt/contentx/1133690)



PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL

Health: Mozambique eliminates maternal and neo-natal tetanus

Mozambique has joined a group of 19 countries which, since 2000, have eliminated maternal and neonatal tetanus. This was revealed following a survey conducted last month and validated in accordance with standards established by the World Health Organization (WHO). According to a statement from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), tetanus can be considered eliminated at maternal and neo-natal levels when the incidence is less than one case per thousand live births in all districts of the country. The survey of community-based health schemes was conducted by the Mozambican authorities, with support and validation from UNICEF and WHO, at two districts in the central and southern regions of the country; where incidents of maternal and neo-natal tetanus were higher compared to other regions of the country.(Http://www.radiomocambique.com/rm/noticias/anmviewer.asp?a=6144&z=98).



HUMAN RIGHTS AND LEGAL AFFAIRS

Instances of racism on the beaches of Inhambane are reduced

Cases of racism which had been frequently recorded on the beaches, along the long coast, of Inhambane province, fell significantly following the rigorous implementation of Mozambican law. This has led to the promotion and management of Mozambicans in some lodges and removal of signs blocking the entry of blacks into some tourist areas. The Secretary for the Provincial Union of Hospitality, Edson Ambrosio, told reporters the levels of racism in the country had dropped in this area, however there reamined unresolved issues concerning the number of hours worked, as often shifts exceeded the limit of eight set under the national law. (http:///www.canalmoz.com/default.jsp?file=ver_artigo&nivel=1&id=6&idRec=9149).



Government concerned with begging and child prostitution

The Mozambican Minister for Women and Social Action, Iolanda Cintura, said in Maputo, yesterday(Wednesday 24\11\10), the Government is concerned about increasing numbers of people involved in begging and child prostitution in the country. Cintura said this problem had become more apparent in recent times, and noted an increase of vulnerable people living in poverty and social exclusion, especially the elderly, disabled and children. What is worrying the government is some of the people involved in begging and prostitution have an alternative options where they could develop more productive activities or have host families, but instead resort to living and working on the streets. To reduce these issues the government will be creating “Community Open Centres” in large urban areas; these places aim to reduce the environmental impact and numbers of beggars in urban areas by improving their lives by removing them from the streets and offering training, this work would also be supported by private and state funding.(Http://www.radiomocambique.com/rm/noticias/anmviewer.asp?a=6140&z=100)