logo
#

Latest news with #NaturalResourcesandEnergy

MoS Margherita holds talks with Eswatini energy minister Lonkhokhela
MoS Margherita holds talks with Eswatini energy minister Lonkhokhela

Business Standard

time4 days ago

  • Business
  • Business Standard

MoS Margherita holds talks with Eswatini energy minister Lonkhokhela

Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita held talks with Prince Lonkhokhela, Minister of Natural Resources and Energy, Eswatini, on Saturday. The two held talks on increasing cooperation in the energy sector. In a post on X, Margherita said, "Glad to meet HRH Prince Lonkhokhela, Hon'ble Minister of Natural Resources & Energy, Kingdom of Eswatini. Discussed ways to increase cooperation in the energy sector." Earlier, in an attempt to increase energy cooperation, Minister of Natural Resources and Energy of the Kingdom of Eswatini, Senator Peter Bhembe, with a three-member delegation consisting of the Managing Director of Eswatini Electricity Company, Acting Chief Geologist and Chief Mining Engineer, visited Delhi, Kolkata and Ahmedabad to study iron and steel production units in India in November 2019. Earlier in the day, Margherita met Mandla Tshawuka, Minister of Agriculture of Eswatini. The two leaders held talks on enhancing relations in the agricultural sector. In a post on X, Margherita said, "Happy to meet H.E. Hon. Mandla Tshawuka, Minister of Agriculture of the Kingdom of Eswatini. Had productive discussions on enhancing bilateral cooperation in the field of agriculture." According to the Indian High Commission in Mbabane, Eswatini has availed a line of Credit of USD 37.9 million from the EXIM Bank of India for Agricultural Development and mechanisation in Eswatini. The project was implemented over a period of 3 years and was completed in 2017. Margherita visited Eswatini, where he engaged in fruitful discussions with King Mswati III and several ministers on Friday, deepening existing ties and exploring new areas of cooperation between the two nations. During his visit to the African nation, Margherita also met with Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini, Senator Pholile Shakantu, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Mduduzi Matsebula, Minister of Health; Mandla Tshawuka, Minister of Agriculture; and Tambo Gina, Minister of Economic Planning and Development.

AFN national chief says fast-tracked projects bill should come with plan for infrastructure for reserves
AFN national chief says fast-tracked projects bill should come with plan for infrastructure for reserves

Calgary Herald

time7 days ago

  • Politics
  • Calgary Herald

AFN national chief says fast-tracked projects bill should come with plan for infrastructure for reserves

Other ministers expected to attend are Natural Resources and Energy Minister Tim Hodgson as well as Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty, who is expected to address the issue of consultations. Members of the Liberals' Indigenous caucus are also expected to be on hand. Chiefs are also able to submit written questions. Woodhouse Nepinak acknowledged the agenda was still evolving and some feel the upcoming meeting is 'rushed,' but offered credit to Carney for agreeing with her ask to meet with chiefs, saying such a gathering ought to happen more often, given the last time she said one was staged was around 2012. The national chief said she has heard a diversity of views about the Liberals' plan to fast-track major infrastructure projects. While some chiefs have expressed concerns, she said others have expressed support. There have also been chiefs so consumed with dealing with other issues in their communities they do not yet have a position. 'We're going to give (Carney) the benefit of the doubt that he produces tomorrow,' Woodhouse Nepinak said. 'I think that he has to also listen to First Nations leadership, more listening, rather than talking about how they want to proceed forward.' The national chief and other First Nations leaders underlined how they saw Thursday's meeting as only the beginning of talks and should not be considered an act of consultation, something Carney confirmed at an unrelated news conference about tariffs in Hamilton, Ont. He said the new law was ' enabling legislation' that allows discussions to take place about what constitutes a project to be 'nation building' and the process that would follow to ensure rights-holders like First Nations would be consulted and be able to participate. Under the law, the federal cabinet would decide which projects would be added to a list that would allow the approvals process to be fast tracked through a yet-to-be-developed major-projects office. Carney has said the goal is to give selected projects the green light within two years, down from the current five. 'If this is a success, I think it's getting a solid commitment from the prime minister of discussions of how free, prior and informed consent will be implemented.' He said the problem lies in the fact there could be projects pitched 'that are going to be very controversial.' 'It's those projects that I think the vast majority of chiefs are worried about.' Teegee named as an example Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's desire to see a pipeline built from Alberta to B.C.'s northern coast, a route that has received widespread pushback from some First Nations in the area in the past. 'We've been down that road, and it's a very difficult situation.' Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our politics newsletter, First Reading, here.

AFN national chief says fast-tracked projects bill should come with plan for infrastructure for reserves
AFN national chief says fast-tracked projects bill should come with plan for infrastructure for reserves

Edmonton Journal

time16-07-2025

  • Politics
  • Edmonton Journal

AFN national chief says fast-tracked projects bill should come with plan for infrastructure for reserves

Other ministers expected to attend are Natural Resources and Energy Minister Tim Hodgson as well as Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty, who is expected to address the issue of consultations. Members of the Liberals' Indigenous caucus are also expected to be on hand. Chiefs are also able to submit written questions. Woodhouse Nepinak acknowledged the agenda was still evolving and some feel the upcoming meeting is 'rushed,' but offered credit to Carney for agreeing with her ask to meet with chiefs, saying such a gathering ought to happen more often, given the last time she said one was staged was around 2012. The national chief said she has heard a diversity of views about the Liberals' plan to fast-track major infrastructure projects. While some chiefs have expressed concerns, she said others have expressed support. There have also been chiefs so consumed with dealing with other issues in their communities they do not yet have a position. 'We're going to give (Carney) the benefit of the doubt that he produces tomorrow,' Woodhouse Nepinak said. 'I think that he has to also listen to First Nations leadership, more listening, rather than talking about how they want to proceed forward.' The national chief and other First Nations leaders underlined how they saw Thursday's meeting as only the beginning of talks and should not be considered an act of consultation, something Carney confirmed at an unrelated news conference about tariffs in Hamilton, Ont. He said the new law was ' enabling legislation' that allows discussions to take place about what constitutes a project to be 'nation building' and the process that would follow to ensure rights-holders like First Nations would be consulted and be able to participate. Under the law, the federal cabinet would decide which projects would be added to a list that would allow the approvals process to be fast tracked through a yet-to-be-developed major-projects office. Carney has said the goal is to give selected projects the green light within two years, down from the current five. 'If this is a success, I think it's getting a solid commitment from the prime minister of discussions of how free, prior and informed consent will be implemented.' He said the problem lies in the fact there could be projects pitched 'that are going to be very controversial.' 'It's those projects that I think the vast majority of chiefs are worried about.' Teegee named as an example Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's desire to see a pipeline built from Alberta to B.C.'s northern coast, a route that has received widespread pushback from some First Nations in the area in the past. 'We've been down that road, and it's a very difficult situation.' Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our politics newsletter, First Reading, here.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store