Chris Infotainment

NAPTIN Readiness to Train 1,500 Engineers and Technicians in the Power Sector The National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) has announced its readiness to train at least 1,500 engineers and technicians in the power sector. This initiative aims to enhance the country’s electricity supply and support the transformation of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). The announcement was made during a one-day Stakeholders’ Engagement event held in Abuja. Objectives of the Engagement The engagement, titled “Building a Skilled and Sustainable Workforce for NESI Transformation,” was part of the project “Enhancing Vocational Training Delivery for the Nigerian Power Sector.” This project is funded under the EU-AFD Project and organized in partnership with NAPTIN by the Consortium of Colenco Nigeria and AETS (France). Mr Ahmed Nagode, the Director-General of NAPTIN, emphasized the importance of the theme of the engagement. He stated that without a sustainable skilled workfor...

Airtel Tanzania Expands Network Coverage in Morogaro and Kilimanjaro Regions Airtel Tanzania has taken a significant step towards enhancing communication services by constructing and commissioning three new network towers in the Morogaro and Kilimanjaro regions. This initiative is expected to improve connectivity, support socio-economic development, and address the persistent digital divide in underserved areas. The expansion includes two towers in the Morogaro region—one located in Magoweko Ward of Gairo District and another at Kihonda VETA. Additionally, a new tower has been installed in Sanya Juu, Hai District, within the Kilimanjaro region. These installations aim to bridge the gaps in network coverage and provide better access to digital services for thousands of residents who previously had limited or no connectivity. At the launch event held on December 11, 2025, Airtel Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro Zonal Manager, Faustine Mtui, emphasized the company's commitment to national de...

Resumption of Operations at Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Plant Kathmandu, Dec. 7 — The Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Plant in Rasuwa, developed by Chilime Hydropower Company, has resumed partial operations following a significant flood event that damaged its infrastructure. On June 8, a glacial burst in Tibet's Lhende River triggered a severe flood that caused extensive damage to the plant’s structures, including the headworks. After completing repairs on the headworks, water was temporarily diverted from the river, and one of the three units in the powerhouse was restarted on Saturday. The plant has an installed capacity of 111 megawatts, with each unit producing 37 megawatts. The remaining two units are expected to be operational within a month, according to Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Managing Director Manoj Silwal. He also mentioned that other repair work in the headworks area will be completed before the next monsoon season. NEA holds the majority stakes in Chilime Hydropower Com...

The Power Sector Crisis in Nigeria: A Call for Accountability The Nigerian House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee, tasked with investigating the power sector reforms and expenditures from 2007 to 2024, has raised serious concerns about the performance of electricity distribution companies (DisCos). The committee has accused these companies of significantly undermining the country's power supply system through years of inadequate investment, lack of expansion, and failure to meet their original business commitments. During a recent hearing, the committee chairman, Arch. Ibrahim Almustapha Aliyu, highlighted that most DisCos misled the government during the acquisition process by presenting ambitious business plans but failing to deliver on the necessary infrastructure upgrades. This lack of action has left the distribution networks in a state of disrepair more than a decade after privatization. Aliyu expressed his disbelief at the situation, noting that while the Transmission ...

International Energy Agency Recommends South Korea Develop SMR Industrial Complex The International Energy Agency (IEA) has proposed that South Korea create a national industrial complex focused on the development and application of small modular reactors (SMRs). This recommendation is part of a broader set of 10 energy policy suggestions outlined in a report published last month. The initiative aims to position South Korea as a leader in next-generation nuclear technology. SMRs are compact nuclear reactors with an output of approximately 300 megawatts. Unlike traditional large-scale nuclear plants, which typically generate between 1,000 and 1,400 megawatts, SMRs integrate major components such as the reactor core and steam generator into a single unit. This design makes them more flexible and potentially easier to deploy in various settings. According to the IEA, SMRs have an accident probability of once every billion years, and even in the event of an incident, the damage would be...

Electricity has been fully restored to Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island off the southern coast, after a week-long outage caused by a damaged undersea cable, affecting more than 30,000 households and businesses. The An Giang Electricity Company, a subsidiary of the state-owned Southern Power Corporation (EVN), announced that power had been completely restored late Friday night via a temporary solution. Instead of waiting for complex full repairs, technicians installed a temporary overhead line from the shore of Ha Tien Ward and connected it to the undersea cable. The cable failure occurred on Nov. 29 when a construction unit working on the Ha Tien coastal road drove piles within the electrical safety corridor, damaging the critical link and causing power outages across the island's north. The incident affected nearly 30,000 households, numerous tourism facilities, and clean water supplies. An Giang Electricity Company installs a temporary overhead line to restore electricity ...

Strategic Investments to Boost Punjab’s Economic Growth The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has recently approved three significant projects worth $381 million, aimed at enhancing agriculture, education, and health services in Punjab. These initiatives are designed to stimulate economic growth in the province, which represents over half of Pakistan's population and economic activity. ADB Country Director for Pakistan, Emma Fan, emphasized the importance of these investments: "Investing in education, health, and agricultural mechanization will play a transformative role in driving the growth of Punjab, a vital pillar of Pakistan's economy. These strategic investments will modernize agriculture, enhance human capital, and significantly improve livelihoods for millions of people across Punjab." Modernizing Agriculture with Climate-Resilient Practices One of the key projects is the Punjab Climate-Resilient and Low-Carbon Agriculture Mechanization Project , which includes ...

Uncomfortable Delays at Tokyo Haneda Airport Passengers at Tokyo Haneda Airport, recognized as the world's cleanest airport by Skytrax, experienced an uncomfortable wait for their flights due to a significant issue with the toilets. Reports indicated that up to 70% of the toilets in Terminal 2 were reportedly out of order, causing inconvenience and frustration among travelers. A spokesperson for the airport operator confirmed the plumbing problem and stated that by mid-afternoon on Friday, 51 out of 144 toilet areas were still affected. The issue was attributed to electrical problems with the pumps responsible for supplying water to the facilities. The airport operator, Japan Airport Terminal, provided this information while maintaining anonymity for the spokesman. The problem was first noticed around 5:00 a.m. (2000 GMT Thursday) when staff reported the issue. It took 11 hours to resolve, according to the spokesperson. Although running water was available at sinks for handwash...

Introduction to the SUST Bus Tracking System Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) has taken a significant step towards improving student transportation by launching a new bus tracking system. This initiative aims to make commuting easier for students, ensuring they can navigate their daily routines with greater efficiency and convenience. The 'SUST Bus Tracking System' app was officially launched on Thursday at 11 am, marking a major milestone in the university's efforts to modernize its transport infrastructure. The app was introduced on a trial basis, allowing for real-time feedback and adjustments before a full-scale rollout. Development of the App The development of this innovative app was led by Saifur Rahman and his team from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. These students, part of the 2020-21 session, demonstrated remarkable dedication and technical expertise in creating a solution that addresses a common challenge faced by stu...

A New Era of Digital Public Services in Addis Ababa Addis Ababa, December 5, 2025—A major milestone has been reached in the city's journey toward modernizing public service delivery. Mayor Adanech Abiebie officially launched the Integrated Civil Registration and Residency Service Technology, marking a significant shift toward digitization. This new system is expected to transform how residents interact with government services, making them more efficient, transparent, and accessible. During the launch event, the Mayor acknowledged the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute for its pivotal role in developing this advanced platform. The technology is designed to streamline various administrative processes, reducing the time and financial burden on citizens while enhancing overall service quality. Key Features of the New System The newly introduced system offers several key benefits: Integrated Services : The platform combines vital events registration with residency identi...

Modernizing Nepal's Power Network Nepal is taking significant steps towards modernizing its power network by integrating older grid substations into an automated operating system. This initiative is part of a broader plan to digitize and enhance the efficiency of the country’s electricity infrastructure. The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has already completed automation work on seven of the 13 planned substations, marking a crucial milestone in this transformation. The automation project aims to improve the reliability and efficiency of power distribution across the nation. By implementing advanced technology, NEA is not only streamlining operations but also reducing the potential for human error and increasing response times during outages. The newly automated substations are now being managed from a central control room located at NEA’s Minbhawan office, which serves as the nerve center for monitoring and controlling the power network. Among the seven substations that have...

Introduction to Faceless E-Ticketing in Sindh Sindh Police is preparing to roll out its innovative 'Faceless E-Ticketing' system across the province. This initiative, which was first implemented in Karachi, has already received a positive public response. The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ghulam Nabi Memon, has assigned specific tasks to key officials to ensure that all preparations are completed for the expansion of this system. Key Officials and Responsibilities During a high-level review meeting chaired by the IGP at the Central Police Office in Karachi, several responsibilities were assigned to different officials. DIG Traffic Karachi and DIG IT have been directed to work closely with divisional DIGs to ensure the system's successful rollout in other districts. Under the plan, DIG IT will assess the camera installations on urban roads and highways. This includes evaluating the recording and storage capacity, internet connectivity, and overall technical infrastr...

Addis Ababa, December 1, 2025 — The Space Science and Geospatial Institute (SSGI) has launched a new network of satellite data collection stations in Addis Ababa and several regional cities. This development marks a significant milestone in Ethiopia’s digital transformation journey. The initiative is part of the broader Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy, which aims to drive technological progress across the country. State Minister of Innovation and Technology, Muluken Kere, emphasized that the strategy has created a strong foundation for major technological advancements. He pointed to ongoing efforts in building digital infrastructure and reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding satellite data receiving stations nationwide. Muluken also highlighted recent digital achievements, such as the rollout of the Digital ID project, and expressed optimism about the growing pool of skilled professionals in Ethiopia, which he sees as a positive sign for the nation’s digital future. Cur...

Ghana Advances Integrated Iron and Steel Industry with New Collaboration Ghana has taken a significant step forward in its ambition to develop an integrated iron and steel industry. This progress comes after the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC) signed a cooperation agreement with the Ghana Geological Survey Authority. The partnership aims to enhance technical efforts in mineral exploration, marking a key milestone in the nation’s industrial development strategy. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) formalizes a long-standing collaboration between the two entities. It outlines joint initiatives including geological mapping, geophysical surveys, sampling, laboratory analysis, drilling supervision, and data interpretation. These activities are crucial for advancing the country’s first mineral resource estimation for iron ore. Strengthening Technical Roles and Institutional Coordination GIISDEC Chief Executive, Williams Okofo-Dateh, emphasized that the...

Strategic Partnership Between Doosan Enerbility and KEPCO KPS Doosan Enerbility has recently announced a significant business agreement with KEPCO Plant Service & Engineering Co., Ltd. This collaboration aims to expand their presence in the global power generation market by jointly developing overseas projects and modernizing aging power plants. The partnership is expected to leverage the combined strengths of both companies, creating new opportunities for growth and innovation. Objectives of the Agreement The primary goal of this agreement is to advance into new overseas power generation businesses and modernization projects for aging power plants. Doosan Enerbility brings its expertise in EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) execution and power generation equipment manufacturing. On the other hand, KEPCO KPS contributes its advanced power plant maintenance technology. Together, they aim to combine these capabilities to deliver comprehensive solutions for internati...

The Significance of Sustainable Industrialisation in Kenya This year’s Africa Industrialisation Day, observed on November 20, focuses on the themes of Sustainable Industrialisation, Regional Integration, and Innovation. For Kenya, this day presents an opportunity to reflect on how the strategic implementation of sustainable practices can drive sustainable industrial growth. At a critical juncture, sustainable industrialisation is no longer just an aspiration—it is essential for maintaining global competitiveness. A crucial factor in achieving industrial growth is the development of sustainable energy infrastructure. According to the Energy and Petroleum Statistics Report for the Financial Year ending June 30, 2025, issued by the Energy & Petroleum Regulation Authority (Epra), renewable power accounted for 80.17% of total power generated that year. This breakdown includes: Geothermal energy at 39.51% Hydropower at 24.21% Wind power at 13.18% Utility-scale solar installations ...

Sri Lanka's New Wind Power Plant Aims to Boost Renewable Energy Sri Lanka is taking significant steps towards achieving its renewable energy goals with the planned construction of a 204 MW wind power plant in the Kiranchi-Veravil area of the Kilinochchi district. This project is part of the government’s broader strategy to maximize the contribution of renewable energy sources to the national electricity grid. Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody recently visited the site of the proposed wind power plant to assess its progress and ensure that all necessary preparations are in place for the project’s implementation. The visit took place on Tuesday, November 25, and focused on the details of the wind power project, which is expected to add substantial renewable energy capacity to the country’s power supply. Objectives and Benefits of the Project The primary objective of the project is to harness the wind power potential in the northern region of Sri Lanka, which has long been underdeve...

Introduction to the UHT Transmission Line Project The National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) has initiated a pre-qualification process for contractors interested in constructing new ultra-high-voltage alternating current (UHT) transmission lines. These lines, spanning approximately 1,000 kilometers, will connect the Boujdour and Tensift regions, enabling the efficient transport of electricity over long distances. This project is a key component of ONEE’s broader strategy to enhance the national electricity transmission network and support Morocco’s energy transition. It is part of a comprehensive portfolio of major electrical infrastructure projects that include both operational, under-construction, and developing initiatives led by the Office. Strategic Importance of the Project Among the notable projects within this portfolio is the future high-voltage direct current (HVDC) link, which is currently being developed to directly connect southern Morocco to the cen...

Nepal and Bangladesh Expand Electricity Trade Kathmandu, Nov. 27 — Nepal and Bangladesh have taken a significant step in their energy cooperation by agreeing to increase electricity imports from Nepal to Bangladesh. The new agreement involves an additional 20 megawatts (MW) of electricity, bringing the total import capacity to 60 MW. This decision was made during the 7th Nepal-Bangladesh Energy Secretary-level Joint Steering Committee (JSC) meeting held in Dhaka. The meeting was co-chaired by Nepal's Energy Secretary Chiranjeevi Chataut and Farzana Momtaz, secretary at the Ministry of Power, Bangladesh. The decisions were based on recommendations from a joint task force that met earlier in November under the leadership of Sandeep Kumar Dev from Nepal's Ministry of Energy and KM Ali Reza from Bangladesh's Ministry of Power. According to the Ministry of Energy, "It has been agreed that Bangladesh will import an additional 20 megawatts of electricity, and Nepal will p...

Prepaid Meter Installation Sparks Controversy in Hwange’s Ingagula Suburb The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has announced the rollout of prepaid electricity meter installations in Hwange’s Ingagula suburb. This move, however, has been met with immediate criticism from residents who have long awaited relocation from an area deemed unsafe due to pollution. In a notice titled Notice of commencement of prepayment meter installation , ZETDC senior customer service officer Simon Dube stated that the initiative follows resolutions made at a recent meeting with the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC). The project aims to transition the area from a bulk metering system to individual prepaid meters. According to the notice, the installation will begin on November 25, 2025. Residents and stakeholders were requested to notify employees and offer “full co-operation — to ensure a smooth and efficient transition.” Despite these assurances, the announcement has trigger...