NIGERIA: 400-mw power plant to be built in the south GUINEA-BISSAU: Teachers End Strike THE GAMBIA: Mauritanians exempted fromresidence permit fees SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE: Debt relief from Belgium BENIN: Seventeen presidential candidates approved
NIGERIA: 400-mw power plant to be built in the south
Nigerian Agip Oil Company, a subsidiary of the Italian oil group ENI, and the Nigerian government signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday to build a 400-megawatt power plant in southern Nigeria, AgipOil spokesman Tajudeen Adigun said. AFP reported that the deal, due to be finalised within two weeks, would allow Nigeria's power firm, NEPA, to buy electricity from the plant, which is expected to become operationalby December 2003.
Gaddafi visit cancelled
Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi cancelled a one-day visit to Nigeria on Wednesday after he was refused permission to visit the northern state of Zamfara, news organisations reported. Zamfara was the first Nigerian state to declare full application of full Sharia law.
Top of pageGUINEA-BISSAU: Teachers End Strike
Guinea-Bissau's teachers' union on Wednesday called off a week-long strike after teachers began receiving salary arrears, Lusa reported. Public schools had been closed by the teachers' protest. On Monday, students demonstrated against the strike but their march was marred by vandalization and clashes between youths and police. Ten people were wounded in the clashes, Lusa reported.
Top of pageTHE GAMBIA: Mauritanians exempted from residence permit fees
Mauritanians living in The Gambia no longer have to pay for residence permits, the Gambia Radio and Television Service (GRTS) reported on Thursday. The Gambian government took the decision in response to a similar exemption by the Mauritanian authorities. GRTS reported that the measure entered into effect on 7 February and resulted from the "excellent relations of cooperation that exist between the two countries". Many Mauritanian traders live in The Gambia.
Top of pageSAO TOME AND PRINCIPE: Debt relief from Belgium
The Belgian government has decided to cancel a debt of over US 1 million owed by Sao Tome and Principe, Portuguese radio quoted Sao Tome Foreign Minister Rafael Branco as saying on his return home after an official visit to Belgium, Germany and Sweden. Branco said Belgium would also help train personnel and grant scholarships to Sao Tome students, Radiodifusao Portuguesa reported.
Top of pageBENIN: Seventeen candidates approved for presidential elections
Benin's constitutional court on Monday approved 17 out of 21 prospective candidates for presidential elections to be held on 4 March, PANA reported, quoting a source close to the court. The four rejected candidates were disqualified on medical, moral or procedural grounds, the source said.
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