Latest news with #UNOPS
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio to Launch 830 Million New Leones (€34 Million) Solar Minigrid Project, Powering Sierra Leone's Green Future
In a landmark step toward sustainable development and inclusive energy access, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio is set to officially launch the Salone Off-grid Renewable Energy Acceleration Initiative (SOGREA), a €34 million (approximately 830 million New Leones) solar minigrid project that will significantly advance Sierra Leone's green energy future. Hosted by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), the initiative is a collaborative effort between the Government of Sierra Leone, the European Union (EU), and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). SOGREA aims to increase energy access in rural communities across the country by 2027, deploying at least 5.2 megawatts peak (MWp) of solar generation capacity through the installation of minigrids. The project is set to benefit 25,000 households and 2,800 businesses across approximately 60 communities, offering them reliable, clean, and affordable electricity for the first time. To brief the President on the status and next steps of the project, EU Ambassador Jacek Jankowski, accompanied by Dr. Kandeh Yumkella and other private sector partners, visited State House today. The high-level delegation engaged President Bio on the technical, regulatory, and financial readiness of the initiative, and reaffirmed their collective commitment to ensuring its success. Speaking during the meeting, President Bio expressed deep appreciation to the EU for their steadfast partnership and support in fulfilling his administration's promise of inclusive development across Sierra Leone. 'Taking energy to the people is key,' the President emphasized. 'This project is a significant milestone. It demonstrates mutual trust and confidence with our partners, especially at a time when development assistance is dwindling globally. This shows we still enjoy goodwill.' He further assured the visitors of his government's commitment to building the necessary legal and regulatory frameworks: 'I am aware of the revised regulations for the Sierra Leone Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (SLEWRC), and my government will ensure Parliament sets the required legal framework to support implementation.' The President added, 'Together, we will make electricity accessible to all and no one will be left behind.' At the heart of SOGREA's success is its catalytic investment model, which blends public and private sector support to create a sustainable ecosystem for minigrid development. Energy Sector lead, Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, a driving force behind the initiative, explained that over the last two years, critical groundwork has been laid, including the revision of existing regulations under the EWRC Act and the design of investment incentives to attract private developers. He confirmed that implementation agreements have been signed and that President Bio will officially launch the project. Ambassador Jacek Jankowski, Head of the EU Delegation to Sierra Leone, underscored the importance of the initiative as a major milestone in the country's pursuit of clean energy and rural transformation. 'We are proud to support a project of this magnitude,' he said. 'The EU's total investment stands at €34 million, including €22 million in direct investment support and technical assistance, while the Government of Sierra Leone is contributing 50 million Leones.' The project was developed in partnership with UNOPS, with a focus on enabling private sector entities to develop, finance, own, and operate solar minigrids. Ambassador Jankowski noted that the investment model includes reimbursement schemes, leveraging of additional financing, and regulatory mechanisms to bridge the gap between tariffs and what rural communities can afford. He highlighted the strategic involvement of key institutions such as SLEWRC and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Unit, which will guide implementation and ensure long-term regulatory stability. Beyond powering homes and businesses, the SOGREA initiative is expected to create jobs, stimulate local economies, and empower women and youth, particularly in off-grid and underserved regions. By supporting President Bio's 'Big Five Game Changers', especially in technology and innovation, the initiative reinforces Sierra Leone's commitment to becoming a hub for green investment and renewable energy development in West Africa. As the country moves steadily toward universal electricity access, the launch of SOGREA marks a defining moment in Sierra Leone's journey toward climate resilience and inclusive growth. With strong international partnerships and a forward-looking energy policy, Sierra Leone is lighting the path to a sustainable, empowered future, one solar grid at a time. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Sierra Leone.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Suhasini Gotmare assumes charge as Accountant General (A&E)-II
Nagpur: , a seasoned officer of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IAAS) from the 2002 batch, officially assumed charge as the Accountant General (Accounts & Entitlement)-II, Nagpur. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now She took over the post recently. A postgraduate in arts (MA), Gotmare brings with her over two decades of extensive experience in auditing and accounting, having served in various critical positions across the Indian Audit and Accounts Department. Her career is marked by significant contributions to enhancing , governance, and accountability in both domestic and international spheres. Gotmare holds several prestigious professional certifications, including that of a certified fraud examiner (CFE) and certified internal auditor (CIA) from the Institute of Internal Auditors. She is also certified by INTOSAI as a facilitation expert in and is widely recognised as a trainer and resource person in areas such as anti-fraud, contract audit, GST, receipt audit, and performance audit. Her international experience includes leading high-profile audits, such as the audit of sustainable development goals (SDGs) for the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in Nepal, Cambodia, and Thailand. She also conducted audits of fraud management systems at UNOPS headquarters in Denmark and participated in embassy audits in Israel and Bhutan. Gotmare served as a trainer for international auditors in Nanjing, China. In her earlier roles, she held important positions such as principal director of audit for Southeast Central Railway, and key roles in the offices of the Director General of Audit (Central Revenue) and Director General of Audit of Central Receipts in New Delhi. She was also part of the Indian delegation to a trilateral seminar in Suzdal, Russia, where she presented insights on auditing in the Indian transport sector, with a focus on Railways. With her rich background, Gotmare is expected to provide strong leadership and bring strategic insights to the Office of the Accountant General (A&E)-II, further strengthening public financial management in the state.
Business Recorder
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Meeting with UNOPS country director: Jam highlights Balochistan's true uplift potential
ISLAMABAD: Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan has emphasised the immense development potential of Balochistan during a meeting with the Country Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and her delegation here. The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between the Government of Pakistan and UNOPS, particularly in trade, infrastructure, and inclusive economic growth. During the discussion, minister Khan highlighted Balochistan's untapped opportunities in agriculture — especially date farming — as well as in fisheries and mineral resources. He said that the federal government, in close collaboration with the provincial government, is working to enhance infrastructure across various sectors in the province to create employment opportunities, empower women, and uplift communities in border areas. 'Balochistan holds great promise for trade and development,' the minister stated. 'We are committed to unlocking this potential through strategic investments in infrastructure, logistics, and value-chain systems, with a strong focus on regional inclusivity and sustainability.' He appreciated the support UNOPS has extended to Pakistan over the years, especially in delivering essential services in difficult and remote areas. He particularly acknowledged the organization's impactful work in solar energy for schools, water quality improvement, emergency flood response, and capacity building for law enforcement. The UNOPS country director expressed appreciation for the government's support and reiterated UNOPS' commitment to partnering with the Ministry of Commerce and other national stakeholders. She said that UNOPS is ready to support initiatives that promote sustainable trade, green logistics, and inclusive economic growth. She also briefed the minister on UNOPS' ongoing and upcoming projects, including infrastructure development in the health sector, plastic waste management, and the creation of climate-resilient training facilities for law enforcement personnel. She reaffirmed UNOPS' commitment to align its efforts with Pakistan's Vision 2025 and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023–27. Minister Khan proposed the establishment of a dedicated coordination mechanism between the Ministry of Commerce and UNOPS to identify and implement joint priority projects. He also emphasised the importance of engaging women and small enterprises in export-oriented sectors such as textiles, IT, and handicrafts, agriculture, livestock, dates, fruits and rest untapped potentials. The meeting concluded with both sides expressing their resolve to work together to drive forward a shared development agenda, with a particular focus on supporting underserved regions like Balochistan. 'We believe this partnership with UNOPS can play a crucial role in fostering export-led growth and inclusive development, especially in areas that need it the most,' the minister said. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Lebanese Army
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Lebanese Army
Visitors of LAF Commander
Wednesday, 30 April 2025 The Lebanese Armed Forces Commander, General Rodolphe Haykal, received in his office in Yarzeh Member of Parliament William Tawk, and they discussed the general situation in the country. He also received Mohammed Othman Akram, the Director of the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in Amman, along with an accompanying delegation. Additionally, he received a delegation from the Middle East Institute in Washington, and they discussed various issues.
Sky News
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Israeli official says claims IDF targets aid workers are 'blood libel' after UK minister calls for investigation
An Israeli government spokesperson said suggestions that the IDF targets aid workers are "blood libel," after a Labour MP called for investigations into attacks leading to their deaths. Hamish Falconer, minister for the Middle East and North Africa, said on social media that "aid workers need protection and must never be targeted". The MP for Lincoln then added: "Following Israel's admission of responsibility for recent strikes on UN premises in Gaza, it must investigate all attacks that have killed aid workers, hold those responsible to account, and ensure this never happens again." It came after the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) admitted its troops were behind the attack on a UN guest house in Gaza last month, killing one staff member. It had previously denied responsibility. Responding to Mr Falconer, the spokesperson of the Israeli Foreign Ministry denied that the IDF had targeted aid workers, and accused those who suggested it of "blood libel" - a term used in the Middle Ages to describe antisemitic false claims that Jews carried out the ritualised murder of children. "Israel never targets aid workers," Oren Marmorstein said. "Israel targets terrorists only, and any other suggestion is pure blood libel and must be retracted." The spokesperson then said Israel "investigates itself transparently in events where aid workers are tragically hurt," saying the IDF "did not shy away from taking responsibility" for the attack on the UN building. Mr Marmorstein then advised Mr Falconer to look into investigations into cases where the UK was responsible for the death of civilians during armed conflicts, adding: "We hope that the level of accountability would match that of Israel." 3:13 On 19 March, a building in Deir al Balah belonging to the UN's Office for Project Services (UNOPS) was attacked, killing a Bulgarian staff member and injuring six other international workers. The UN said the building was fired on by an Israeli tank, which the IDF initially denied. However, on 24 April, the Israeli military admitted it fired on the building "due to assessed enemy presence and was not identified by the forces as a UN facility". UNOPS chief Jorge Moreira da Silva said at the time that Israel knew the location of the building and who was working there. He then claimed: "This was not an accident." 2:25 Sky News understands that the IDF had been previously informed that the building belonged to the UN, and that this is being investigated by the IDF.
