Angola's National Reconstruction | Reconstrução de Angola

[Matthias Offodile]

I have decided to open an extra thread concerning all the news on Angola´s massive reconstruction effort that is presently going on and that will definitely span many years.

Let´s dedicate this thread to the national (re-)construction of:

- physical infrastructure (roads, highways/expressways, bridges, rail, airports etc.)
- social infrastructure (schools, universities, hospitals etc.)
- industrial and agricultural infrastructure

We won´t be able to post all the news since the reconstruction effort began but one have to start from somewhere. So let´s post as many information/news as we can get in English and if there is a lack of news availability in English, I won´t hesitate to put news in Portuguese.

[Matthias Offodile]

Angola: Building Fair - Luanda Water Project Benefits Over Two Million People

Angola Press Agency (Luanda)

October 21, 2006
Posted to the web October 23, 2006

Luanda

The water project of Luanda, with a treatment capacity of 216 million litres per second, will benefit over two million people after its conclusion next year, referred a report of Brazilian Odebrecht construction firm, ANGOP learnt this Saturday in the light of the IV edition of the International Fair of Civil Engineering Materials, Public Works and Social Security "Constrói Angola".

According to the document, the current phase includes the installing of pumps at Kassaque pumping stations, the extending of South-East Luanda Water Treatment Station, the construction of a new mega Water Treatment Plant and the construction of the new water pipelines of Kifangondo.


The project, which represents 74 percent of the current water supply capacity in Luanda, is in the third phase that started last August 2004. The distribution of treated water is being increased with the installing of 230 kilometres of supply networks, new pipelines and over 250,000 home connections. Luanda water project has concluded two phases that are benefiting about 1.6 million people.

The Project has already set up the South-East Luanda Water Treatment Station (ETA), and implanted 66 kilometres of pipelines, built and rehabilitated five distribution centres and reservoirs, carried out 44,800 home connections, as well as implanted 410 fountains and two reservoirs for the supply of cisterns.

[Matthias Offodile]

Angola's banking sector more attractive than ever

afrol News / Savana, 8 September 2006 - The Angolan banking sector is living a renaissance. Three new banking groups are to start up activities during the next months and more than ten have already signalled their interest to seek necessary authorisations to be able to operate on the national market. The National Bank of Angola (BNA) will hand out new licences by the dropper to cash in its political triumph.

Although it will be difficult to evaluate the impact that the new competitiveness will have on the profitability of existent banks, the consulting company Deloitte - which this month is to present a deep-ploughing analysis of the sector - guarantees that antiquity represents some sort of competitive advantage. But successes for newcomers are also possible, as for the Banco Internacional de Crédito (BIC), which after only one year managed to gain the fourth place on Angola's bank ranging, in terms of deposits.

Pedro Barreto, "partner" of Deloitte responsible for Angola, argues that "the financial system is daring a frontier moment, producing at the same time a strong growth in the deposit basis and on the other hand an increased competition with the entry of new players that are making banks more aggressive and segmented."

Angola is the continent´s third biggest oil producer, reaching 1.4 million barrels of crude daily. Production is estimated to grow to at least 2.4 million barrels a day by 2010 and other sources claim that the country´s oil production will exceed more than 4 million barrels a day by 2015. Thanks to the very high oil prices on world markets, the country currently is living one of its best moments in history and its future looks very promising.

Angola is seen to be in a similar position as was Portugal some 20 years ago, and this may be the beginning of a long process. The financial system is only in its infancy. Barely 20 percent of the population has a bank account. In Portugal, this indicator is at 92 percent.

The market, which still is not sufficiently oriented towards the costumer, has everything to give. Only recently, a plan was adopted that foresees the payment of salaries to civil servants to go via bank accounts, or a scheme to emit and accept credit cards, initially Visa. Prospects for old and new banks are unlimited, from credit cards to consumers, passing through leasing, factoring and funds or the announced privatisation programme.

Only in 2005, the deposit basis grew by 66 percent in Angolan banks, which has injected liquidity into the system. These growth levels are foreseen to maintain during the next few years, especially now that Angolans are starting to return to a cash economy and assuming capital.

This year, on 5 November, the National Banc of Angola will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its foundation, and the 50th anniversary of the transfer of thus Bank of Angola from Portugal to its new headquarters in Luanda. By now, the Portuguese-speaking banking community is starting to see Luanda as its principal growth motor outside Portugal.

By Isabel Tavares

[Matthias Offodile]

Angola: Sonangol Concludes Signing of 32 Oil Contracts

Angola Press Agency (Luanda)

November 4, 2006
Posted to the web November 6, 2006

Luanda

State-owned fuels supply company (Sonangol) Friday in Luanda concluded the signing of thirty two contracts of share of oil production with exploration companies.

The accords will grant to Angolan State an additional revenue estimated at USD 3.1 billion.


The signing session, started on Thursday, had the participation of eight Angolan firms, which should give their participation in the national oil exploration process.

The tenders started September 2005 and ended last May 31.

Among the companies that signed the contract are Sonangol Research and Production, Tullow Oil, Predol, Force Petroleum, Vaalco, Inter Oil, brazilian Petrobras and Gema Group.

[Matthias Offodile]

Angola: City of Benguela - Improvement of Sanitation Amounted At $436 Million

Angola Press Agency (Luanda)

November 22, 2006
Posted to the web November 22, 2006

Benguela

About USD 436 million will be invested as from the year 2007 each year to improve Benguela Province's littoral basic sanitation, in the ambit of the integrated project called "Infrastructures of Benguela", presented Tuesday in this city to the citizens.

The project will benefit 1.7 people residents of the province and is aimed at securing better quality of life to the population, contributing to the decrease of diseases, reduction of child mortality rate, as well as increase of peoples' life expectancy.

The works of the project are divided in five stages for nine years, and will start in the first quarter of 2007, under the responsibility of Brazilian and Angolan-Portuguese building companies.

The company will build among other things, systems of collecting and treatment of residual and fluvial waters of macro and micro drainage in the entireprovince, public lighting and paving of the main roads of access to the main towns of this coastal province, namely Benguela, Lobito, Catumbela and Baía Farta.

[Matthias Offodile]

Angola: USD 46 Million for Huambo Hospital Rehabilitation

Angola Press Agency (Luanda)

November 21, 2006
Posted to the web November 21, 2006

Luanda
Quote:
About USD 46.4 million are being spent on the repair and complete modernization of the Huambo Province Central hospital, whose works are to last 24 months, the institution manager, João Chicoa, disclosed to ANGOP.

In the ambit of the investment aimed also at increasing local sanitary services, 86 new ambulances will be purchased and distributed to various health units.

The hospital works are under the responsibility of the company Sinohydro and after conclusion, people from Bié and Kuando Kubango province and others will also benefit from it.

According to João Chicoa, the number of nurses will double after the work is concluded, thus stating the modernisation and increase of staff an important factor in assisting the main illness registered in hospitals like malaria, measles, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis etc.

[Matthias Offodile]

Angola: Conclusion of Kuito Airport Works Creates Expectations

Angola Press Agency (Luanda)

November 24, 2006
Posted to the web November 27, 2006

Luanda

The conclusion of the works of rehabilitation and enlargement of Joaquim Kapango airport, in Kuito city, Angola's central Bie province, set for the first quarter of 2007, is creating expectations from the local community, in view of its importance to the region's socio-economic development.

Once rehabilitated, the new Joaquim Kapango airport runway will be in position to receive heavy aircrafts.

Estimated at Usd 18 million, the second phase of the works will focus on the full fencing of the area, restructuring of the runway adjacent areas and modernisation of the passengers terminal.

A total of 115 workers are involved in the repair and enlargement of the runway that will have 2,500 metres long and 60 metres of width.

Kuito airport runway has been out of operation since 2002, as a result of the bad condition of the ground that only allowed the landing of light planes.

[Matthias Offodile]

You are to Blame, yes but I didn´t want to post all the news I found....so I focused on the more sizeable projects/reconstruction in Angola. The period covered is principally between end of September 2006 to beginning of December 2006.

[skipperBill]

up...

[Lady L]

MOTA: Sim, as noticias sao boas. Eu espero que esta paz em Angola, vai ser finalmente. E que vai melhorar a vida em Angola e para ser um exemplo para o resto da Africa. Obrigado, meu irmao brasileiro.

Hopefully the peace in Angola will last forever!

[Skyprince]

OMG Angolan economy is expected to grow 26 % last year


Africa enjoys record economic growth


afrol News, 2 May - Sub-Saharan Africa's economic growth is projected at 5.3 percent in 2006, the same rate as in 2005, according to the IMF's African Regional Economic Outlook. As last year, Angola is Africa's fastest growing economy, leading the trend of oil exporters growing faster than oil importers. Only in Equatorial Guinea, Seychelles and Zimbabwe, the IMF expects negative growth rates in 2006.

Africa is in a state of record economic growth "thanks in part to prudent policies," according to the latest data released by the International Monetary Found (IMF) in its World Economic Outlook. Last year's strong growth is to be repeated this year, the forecast shows. The very high oil prices however are resulting in higher growth rates for oil producing nations and a somewhat lower growth for oil importing nations.

The IMF report attributes the projected maintenance of relatively strong growth despite higher oil import prices, to "many countries' continued pursuit of prudent macroeconomic policies" and to strong global demand growth. "Higher growth in oil-exporting countries should offset slower growth in oil-importing countries," the Fund noted.

In 2005, economic growth in sub-Saharan African oil exporting countries was measured at 6.8 percent of GDP, while it is expected to be at 8.0 percent this year. Simultaneously, African oil importers saw their economy growing by 4.8 percent last year, going back to a still comfortable 4.5 percent this year. Even when corrected by population growth, per capita growth in oil importing nations stands at 2.9 percent this year in Africa.

As last year, the most impressing growth is to be measured in Angola this year. With a real GDP growth of 15.7 percent in 2005, Angola is set to speed up growth to an impressive 26.0 percent this year, according to the IMF. Also other oil exporters, including Nigeria, Congo Brazzaville, Cameroon, Chad and Gabon, are experiencing considerable growth this year. Equatorial Guinea is the only oil exporting country seeing detraction and can expect a negative growth of 1.1 percent.

Among non-oil exporters, the picture is more differentiated. Strongest growth is expected in Malawi (8.3 percent), mostly connected to the poor country's bumper harvest this year, Mozambique (7.9 percent), Sierra Leone (7.4 percent), Congo Kinshasa and Cape Verde (both 7.0 percent). All these five countries will experience a much higher GDP growth that population growth, producing per capita growth between 3.9 (Congo) and 6.2 percent (Malawi).

While the majority of African countries are performing well, a few are not able to connect to the current positive trend. Negative GDP growth is even foreseen in Zimbabwe (-4.7 percent, improved from -6.5 percent last year) and Seychelles (-1.4 percent, improved from -2.3 percent last year). Zimbabwe continues to struggle with its failed economic and agricultural reforms and an international boycott, while Seychelles struggles with too late reforms and a setback in the tourism sector.

Several other countries however experience a negative trend when population growth is added to the IMF calculations, as there are more people to share economic goods among each year. As such, Guinea-Bissau experiences a positive development in GDP growth (2.6 percent), but per capita, the economy is still shrinking (-0.4 percent). Also the poor countries of Comoros, Lesotho and Niger see almost their entire economic growth eaten up by population growth.

Despite the large overall growth, the IMF was not satisfied with the registered numbers. For poverty in the region to be halved by 2015 - the UN's millennium aim - a real GDP growth rate of 7 percent is required for Africa at large. Only five countries were close to that aim in 2006, the Fund noted.

Especially the slow growth (4.5 percent) in oil importing countries disappointed the Fund. In presenting the report to the press last week, the IMF's Abdoulaye Bio-Tchane, said "it is really not acceptable to see oil revenues increasing while poverty is increasing. That is the equation we have to solve, and I think [African] authorities, ourselves, the World Bank, and other donors ... need to find the right balance."

Inflation in sub-Saharan Africa registered 10.7 percent in 2005, in part because of higher oil prices, and is expected to be largely stable in 2006 at 11 percent. It should decline in many countries but rise in others, including Zimbabwe, the only country with annual inflation in triple digits, according to the IMF. Stabilisation efforts in oil exporters Angola, Chad, and Nigeria should reduce inflation to less than 8 percent" in these countries.

Fiscal deficits, including grants, are projected to worsen in more than half the oil-importing countries, notably Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, and Kenya. According to the report, the reserve cover for oil importers should, on average, remain unchanged, but it is expected to fall in Burkina Faso, Comoros, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Rwanda, and Tanzania. Continuing high oil prices are expected to raise the fiscal and current account surpluses of oil-exporting countries.

"However, this outlook is subject to risks," the IMF notes. "In oil-importing countries, fiscal and current account balances may come under pressure from higher-than-expected oil prices or lower-than expected prices for Africa's other commodities."

"In several parts of the region, political uncertainties and fragile security threaten growth prospects, as does the possible spread of the avian flu. Moreover, millions of people in eastern and southern Africa are experiencing food shortages and urgently need humanitarian assistance," the Fund adds.

[Matthias Offodile]

OMG Angolan economy is expected to grow 26 % last year

Yeah, and the Angolan economy will expand at more than 30% this year (due to IMF forecasts)...most will be in the construction sector! I wish Nigeria had those figures!

[Skyprince]

Yeah, and the Angolan economy will expand at more than 30% this year (due to IMF forecasts)...most will be in the construction sector! I wish Nigeria had those figures!

I think Angolans are currently the happiest citizen on earth ! That means their incomes double every two year ! How about Nigerian GDP ? My fren said that it was above 6% in 2005, Im not sure if the figure for 2006 has been released

[Tbite]

I believe Nigeria had 6.9% growth in 2005, 7% in the 1st quater of last year and 6% overall, 7% growth is forecast for this year and Nigeria is expected to reach 19% economical growth in the next five years

But this isn't about Nigeria is it. Angola is growing faster than a new born bay, and this is not only complimented by the forecasts but you can actually see the changes in the country, things have changed and have being changing ever since the end of the civil war. Angola just came out of nowhere, they must have a really good leader

[hsark]

thanks 4 these updates i really enjoy reading shame some arent in english

[Matthias Offodile]

thanks 4 these updates i really enjoy reading shame some arent in english

[Matthias Offodile]

Huambo: Governo gasta mais de um bilião de Kwanzas na construção de escolas

Huambo, 22/02/2007 - O Governo vai empregar um bilhão 137 milhões 490 mil e 311 kwanzas para, no biénio 2007/2008, construir, reabilitar e ampliar estabelecimentos escolares nos 11 municípios da província do Huambo - soube hoje a Angop do chefe de secção do gabinete de estatística da Direcção Provincial da Educação, Pinto Mauricio,

De acordo com a fonte, nesse período, serão, dentro do Programa de Investimentos Públicos (PIP), construídas 21 novas escolas, com um total de 138 salas de aula, e reabilitadas cinco outras, compostas por 44 "espaços", maioritariamente para o ensino primário.

Das escolas a construir consta um magistério primário, com 18 salas de aula, no município da Caála, cerca de 23 quilómetros a oeste da cidade do Huambo.

De acordo com a fonte, reabilitação e ampliação de escolas no biénio 2007/2208 vai permitir o acomodamento condigno de mais de 17 mil e 460 alunos em dois turnos.

Ainda no decurso do primeiro trimestre deste ano, informou, prevê-se a entrada em funcionamento de 10 escolas com um total de 58 salas de aula, nos municípios do Huambo, Katchiungo, Tchicala-Tcholohanga, Caála e Tchindjenji, acções efectivadas no âmbito do PIP.

Disse, no entanto, existir algumas obras por concluir, num total de sete escolas nos municípios da Caála, Huambo, Londuimbali, Bailundo e Mungo.

"Os empreiteiros a quem foram adjudicadas as obras vivem constrangimentos no aprovisionamento de materiais de construção civil, devido a dificuldades de deslocação originadas pelas constantes chuvas no planalto central de Angola" - asseverou Pinto Mauricio.

O presente ano lectivo arrancou, na província do Huambo, com o sector da educação a dispor de mil e 748 salas de aula de construção definitiva, três mil e 803 improvisadas, assim como 118 afectas a entidades privadas.

Para a frequência do presente ano lectivo foram matriculados em toda a província do Huambo mais de 636 mil e 21 alunos, do primeiro nível ao ensino médio e pré-universitário, estando as aulas a ser ministradas por 12 mil e 646 professores.

[Matthias Offodile]

Encontro de reconstrução nacional discute hoje edificação de escolas rurais

Luanda, 23/02/2007 - A construção de escolas rurais de capacitação, pavilhões de artes e ofícios, centros polivalentes de formação profissional e itinerante constitui hoje o principal foco do encontro sobre "Reconstrução Nacional e a formação profissional - desafios e soluções" a decorrer desde o dia 22 do corrente mês, em Luanda.

De acordo com o programa de actividades, o evento, com término previsto para esta tarde, vai abordar também a "Formação profissional dos activos em situação de risco e a sua importância na recuperação do tecido social das peri-urbanas e rurais" e "A importância da articulação e o aperfeiçoamento entre os sistemas do ensino técnico-profissional e o de formação profissional: sua incidência no desenvolvimento actual dos recursos humanos".

"O estabelecimento de parcerias para maximização da capacidade formativa nacional – divulgação de boas práticas", "O empreendedorismo como factor de desenvolvimento da economia e de criação de postos de trabalho" e "Medidas e projectos para aplicação da Lei do primeiro emprego", constituem outros aspectos a discutir.

Por outro lado, serão apresentados no decurso das actividades alguns projectos de "Estágios profissionais", "Formação de jovens em regime de aprendizagem" e o de "Apoio à integração sócio profissional de jovens com deficiência moderada".

O encontro, uma promoção do ministério da Administração Pública Emprego e Segurança Social (MAPESS), com o objectivo de aperfeiçoar a coordenação e articulação entre os sistemas de formação técnico profissional, é dirigido a responsáveis e técnicos de organismos públicos, gestores públicos e privados.

Durante o primeiro dia de trabalhos foi manifestada a necessidade de se dar maior atenção à indústria dos materiais de construção, de modo a se potenciar o processo de reconstrução e desenvolvimento do país, uma vez ser este um sector impulsionador, bem como influente sobre outros de carácter económico e social, fundamentalmente de construção civil e habitação.

A reunião abordou já questões relacionadas com as "Políticas sectoriais de capacitação e formação profissional 2007/2008 - sector produtivo" e "A importância da formação profissional na qualificação e aperfeiçoamento dos recursos humanos para a economia nacional".

[Matthias Offodile]

Reabilitação da estrada Dondo/Ndalatando facilita circulação rodoviária

Luanda, 23/02/2007 - A estrada que liga o município de Cambambe ao de Ndalatando, ambos na província do Kwanza Norte, foi já reabilitada num percurso de 20 quilómetros, diminuindo o período de viagem nesta via de cinco para três horas.

A estrada, cuja extensão até a sede provincial (Ndalatando) é de 74 quilómetros conta com sete metros de largura e duas faixas de rodagem sendo uma em cada sentido, o que tem permitido uma circulação de viaturas com maior segurança e fluidez.

Esta empreitada decorre no quadro da melhoria dos serviços sociais básicos e os seus efeitos fazem-se já sentir no seio da população, quer daqueles que utilizam regularmente a via ou não, pelo facto de ela permitir também a circulação de bens.

De acordo com cidadãos que frequentam a via, o melhoramento do asfalto possibilita rapidez na circulação rodoviária, facto que permite viajar com segurança no troço reabilitado.

As obras neste troço foram concluídas em 2006, no quadro do Programa de Investimentos Públicos (PIP), levado a cabo pelo governo central.

Adão da Silva, camionista, defende que a reparação favorece a circulação das viaturas e incentiva as autoridades a continuarem este trabalho, visto que é uma via que permite a ligação com outras províncias como Malanje, Uíge e até mesmo às Lundas.

Este camionista elogiou ainda o trabalho realizado pelo governo provincial na reabilitação e asfaltagem destes 20 quilómetros.

No entanto, o projecto de reabilitação da estrada vai até ao município de Lucala, num percurso de 108 quilómetros.

A província do Kwanza Norte tem uma extensão de 24 mil e110 quilómetros quadrados e sua população é estimada em 400 mil habitantes, distribuídos em dez municípios, Ambaca, Samba Cajú, Lucala, Bolongongo, Quiculungo,Banga, Cazengo, Golungo Alto, Ngonguembo e Cambambe.

Faz fronteira com as províncias de Malanje, Uíge, Kwanza Sul e Bengo.

A sua população tem na agricultura a sua principal actividade com as culturas de café, banana, mandioca, milho, amendoim, batata-doce, feijão e cana-de-açúcar.

O café foi um dos grandes baluartes da produção agrícola do Kwanza Norte. Este sector também já regista alguma recuperação com a revitalização desta cultura, principalmente no município de Golungo Alto.

[Matthias Offodile]

Endiama, Mining Companies Partnership Gets Green Light

Luanda, 18/02/2007 - The Council of Ministers authorised the setting up of partnership between ENDIAMA-EP, Maydow Mines International, Inc., and CIMADER - Commerce, Limited, on diamond prospecting in rich locality of Dala, eastern province of Lunda Sul.

This is contained in I Series number 3 of Gazette dated 05 January, 2007.

Promulgated by Angolan head of state, José Eduardo dos Santos, the document announces the granting to ENDIAMA-E.P. the mining rights of prospecting, Research, Recognition of ongoing contract.

It also clarifies on the government guidance about promoting and encouraging the participation of foreign investors in industry`s development, mainly in primary fields, bringing new technologies for diamond sector.

The ENDIAMA-E.P. interest in competent and financial capacity partners, added advantage to diamond production and its valorisation aiming at economic-social development of the country has also impacted the government decision.

Meanwhile, Moydow Mines International, Inc., a company with international aptitude is interested in joining efforts with other Angolan companies to develop high huge projects.