afrol News, 26 June - Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has announced the discovery of "huge" deposits of iron ore in his country, refusing to reveal the exact location of the natural resource until mineral exerts have finalised their work.
In January this year, Mr Jammeh disclosed the discovery of minerals, including uranium and gold, assuring his country's capability of exporting its "enough mineral resources."
Gambian leader broke the news at State House on Wednesday where he had received an official of the East Line Company, Salah Ezzeddine. The official, whose company claims to be operating in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, handed over a cheque of D4 million to President Jammeh, being the royalty on the export of 10,000 metric tonnes of sand minerals from The Gambia.
The consignment were seized from Carnegie Minerals Gambia Limited whose operations had been banned by the government, accusing it of involvement in illegal operations.
Gambian authorities arrested, detained and arraigned the British Manager of the Australian firm for his role in the "illegal" operations. Carnegie was given 24 hours to "come clean" on its activities or risked expulsion.
Mr Jammeh was confident that "Allah will provide the country with the best quality iron ore." He said he will make public another discovery after exportation of the iron ore starts.
Jammeh would not finish his comments without throwing punches at Carnergie Minerals Gambia Ltd, accusing them of engaging in a "game of deception." He also accused the company of shipping 400 containers of sand minerals from The Gambia for tests and failed to inform the government about the results.
He said "from day one, Carnegie’s intention was to exploit Gambians." Jammeh said his comments could be supported by the company's failure to give substantial amounts of money to the government, though it had exported huge tons of minerals abroad.
East Line representative said his company would do all it could to live up to expectations and thanked Gambian authorities for giving the company the space to operate in the country.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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