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Disability run targets Shs400m for resource centre

More than 5,000 runners are expected to take part in the Annual Disability Run, aimed at raising funds to build a resource centre for persons with disabilities.

The second edition of the run will be flagged off on October 11 at Kitebi Primary School in Lubaga Division, with organisers targeting Shs400 million to establish the resource centre, where persons with disabilities will acquire various skills and engage in income-generating activities.

The Persons with Disabilities in Business organisation is organising the run as part of efforts to change the perception that persons with disabilities cannot work and must depend on begging for survival.

The organisation’s head, Peninah Nakandi, said the resource centre will equip persons with disabilities with skills that will enable them to create jobs and earn an income.

‘Persons with disabilities, particularly young people, have the potential to become self-reliant if given opportunities and the necessary skills. We are tired of begging and relying on others for economic support; we also want to be depended on,’ Nakandi said.

Several companies, including IandM Bank, URA, Care Skilling Centre Africa, among others, have already pledged their support for the initiative, but the organisers say more support and participants are needed to help raise the funds required to establish the resource centre.

Registration for the run costs Shs. 25,000, and kits are available at various locations in Kampala, at partner companies.

Minister launches probe as oil road works cut off water for 30 villages

Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama has launched a probe into allegations that some ministry officials connived with the contractor to alter the design of the 47km Biiso-Masindi oil road, passing it through a huge rock and destroying a water pumping system serving more than 30 villages.

Byamukama, who started his inspection of Bunyoro oil roads on September 17, was moved to order an investigation after residents and leaders accused the contractor, China Railway Seventh Group Ltd, of destroying their only source of clean water.

“As the government we shall investigate that matter and should I find you culpable, just know the ropes and handcuffs will be tied on your hands, no one will be spared if I find out that you (contractors) connived with some of our officials to alter this road design,” Byamukama said.

During his first stopover at Wanseko, locals and district leaders led by area MP Allan Atugonza and LC5 Chairperson Atuhaire Wandera told the minister that despite being tarmacked, the road has dysfunctional street lights and has become a blackspot for crashes.

“Our colleagues are dying on a daily basis. There are no speed humps which give leeway to drivers and cyclists to drive crazy,” a resident said, with loud backing from colleagues.

Another resident said: “During the construction they destroyed our only source of clean water. Now we are suffering to get clean water.”

Leaders accused the contractor and ministry technical officers of diverting from the original design and routing the road through a rock that hosted a water pump system serving the affected villages.

Byamukama then drove to the site. Officials were forced to abandon their cars and walk about 800 metres through crushed rock where the road was created.

A few steps in, the minister found a heap of stagnant water being fetched by locals. When he inquired, they told him the water was seeping from the soil and sometimes supplemented by rainwater.

A heated exchange then broke out between Buliisa district leaders and officials from China Railway Seventh Group and some ministry technical officers who denied that the water source was destroyed.

“Stop lying to the minister,” Atugonza told the contractor and ministry officials angrily, backed by other leaders.

The contractor later admitted and said they had established a borehole for locals, which residents said has never worked.

Another concern raised was compensation for project-affected persons (PAPs) at the spot. The contractor and technical officials initially claimed PAPs had been compensated, which was refuted by leaders and residents.

The minister grilled the contractors who later admitted and promised to kickstart the compensation process next month.

Byamukama also raised safety concerns, noting the deep ditch dug could cause sudden deaths, and questioned the seven-year delay of the project, tasking the contractor to deliver the Shs500b project by January next year.

ANTIGUA-POLITICS – Antigua and Barbuda and US to resume discussions on third-country nationals

CMC Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders, has announced that discussions with the Government of the United States are expected to resume shortly, at the request of the United States, concerning the possible reception in Antigua and Barbuda of a limited number of third-country nationals removed from the United States. The discussions form part of a wider United States initiative involving a number of countries, including several Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Antigua and Barbuda will enter the resumed negotiations on the basis of the Resolution adopted by the House of Representatives earlier this year , which established the principles and safeguards governing the country’s participation in any such arrangement.

Among other safeguards, the parliamentary framework preserves Antigua and Barbuda’s sovereign authority to approve or reject every individual proposed for transfer on a case-by-case basis.

It rejects any automatic or open-ended programme and requires satisfactory legal, operational, financial and administrative arrangements before any transfer can take place.

These include adequate arrangements concerning identity and documentation, accommodation and support, legal status, security, funding, and responsibility for onward movement or return.

The negotiations will also be conducted under the oversight of Prime Minister Gaston Browne, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs the Honourable Sir Steadroy Benjamin, and Minister of Foreign Affairs E. Paul Chet Greene.

According to Sanders no final agreement has been settled with the United States and no transfer of any third-country national has been authorised under the proposed arrangements.

The purpose of the resumed discussions is to determine whether terms can be agreed that are consistent with the parliamentary framework, Antigua and Barbuda’s laws and international obligations, and the national interest.

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda continues to approach the discussions in a spirit of cooperation with the United States, while ensuring that the country’s sovereignty, security, financial interests and limited absorptive capacity are fully protected and that its legal and international obligations are respected.

Consistent with the commitment to transparency that has guided the Government’s handling of this matter, the public will continue to be informed of the status of the negotiations and of any material developments.

Obi challenges critics to prove 1% fund misappropriation under Anambra tenure

Former Anambra State Governor and 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has challenged his critics to prove that he misappropriated 1 per cent of the funds he managed during his eight-year tenure as governor.

Obi made the challenge while speaking to Nigerians at a meeting in Washington, D.C.

He said he would stop campaigning for the 2027 presidential election if anyone could establish that 1 per cent of the funds managed by his administration was misappropriated.

‘I was Governor of Anambra State for eight years and received about half a trillion naira.

‘If you can trace where 1% of it was misappropriated, I will stop campaigning. I won’t say anything again concerning the 2027 presidential election,’ he said.

His comments came shortly after the Anambra State Government said the current administration was still servicing loans and other liabilities inherited from previous administrations, including Obi’s tenure.

Obi served as governor of Anambra State from 2006 to 2013, with a brief interruption in 2006.

Debt ratio seen rising to 70.7% by 2027 in severe conditions

Philippine debt could climb to as much as 70.7 percent of gross domestic product by 2027 under a severe downside economic scenario, according to a sensitivity test that flagged the government’s growth assumptions as still too optimistic.

The estimate is not a forecast but forms part of the alternative growth scenarios developed by the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD) to assess the risks to the government’s fiscal program.

‘It can be argued that the Development Budget Coordination Committee’s (DBCC) assumptions are notably optimistic when assessed against recent growth performance and prevailing macroeconomic conditions,’ the CPBRD said.

‘The fiscal conditions of the Philippines are likely to remain constrained over the near term. Even under ideal conditions, the debt and the deficit levels will remain notably elevated. Under more adverse conditions, we expect fiscal constraints to tighten even further,’ it added.

Currently, the DBCC is targeting 5 to 6 percent GDP growth in 2027, down from its original 5.5 to 6.5 percent target, with the debt-to-GDP ratio projected at 64.4 percent.

In terms of nominal GDP, the DBCC is projecting growth of 8.97 percent.

But under more severe conditions, the CPBRD said nominal GDP growth could slow to 3.2 percent in 2026 and 2.9 percent in 2027. The resulting debt-to-GDP ratio would reach 66.8 percent this year and 70.7 percent next year.

Under its moderate downside scenario, in which nominal GDP grows by 5.9 percent, the debt-to-GDP ratio would reach 67 percent in 2027.

‘It is worthwhile to emphasize that the recent reignition and escalation of conflict in the Middle East may increase the likelihood of the emergence of a more adverse scenario,’ the CPBRD said.

‘Another cause for concern emanates from rising bond yields and turmoil in the global bond market. Substantial interest rate hikes will invariably prove consequential to debt sustainability and the growth prospects of the Philippine economy,’ it added.

The CPBRD warned that further deterioration in growth could increasingly constrain fiscal space and weaken long-term fiscal sustainability, even as the proposed P7.2-trillion national budget may remain financeable under severe conditions.

‘The stakes for the 2027 budget deliberations are consequently significant. If growth and revenue performance fall below the DBCC baseline, fiscal space could become increasingly constrained over the medium term, limiting the government’s capacity to respond to future shocks and finance development priorities,’ the think tank said.

‘The 2027 national budget should serve not only as an expenditure program but also as a vital tool for enhancing fiscal resilience, safeguarding essential public services, and promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth,’ it added.

Marcoleta won’t seek temporary release to vote for impeachment threshold

Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on Thursday said he does not intend to move for his temporary release so he could participate once senators move to vote on the matter regarding the 16-vote conviction threshold for Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.

The need for senator-judges to vote on whether to retain or revise the 16-vote requirement arose as four senators, including Marcoleta, remain absent from the impeachment trial.

Marcoleta made the remarks after his bail hearing for plunder at the Sandiganbayan Third Division, which allowed the interview inside the courtroom.

‘No, I will not move for a furlough just to vote for the threshold,’ Marcoleta said.

A prison furlough refers to a temporary release granted to an incarcerated person.

The senator thinks the threshold should be up for a vote.

‘It’s already in the Constitution,’ he said. ‘Nobody has a right to change the Constitution.’

On Wednesday, the Senate impeachment court invited four retired Supreme Court justices as ‘amici curiae (friends of the court) in a hearing to discuss whether there is a need to revisit the 16-vote threshold needed for conviction.

Three of the retired SC justices agreed that the minimum number of votes needed for conviction is not automatically set at 16.

In a related development, Marcoleta also lamented that the Senate impeachment court did not take up his July 20 manifestation.

According to Marcoleta, he was questioning in this manifestation the legitimacy of Sen. Francis Escudero as a presiding officer of the impeachment court.

‘They did not take up. I was questioning first of all, the legitimacy of the presiding officer,’ he said. ‘The last time I checked, it should be the Senate president who will preside.’

‘If they won’t take that up, why would I participate there,’ he said.

‘They have not even discussed,’ he said, ‘they have not even debated the merits of my manifestation and request.’

Marcoleta faces a 90-day suspension for his plunder case stemming from an alleged P75 million campaign donation he received while an incumbent party-list representative.

The Sandiganbayan, however, has yet to resolve the matter regarding his suspension

Republic Act No 7080 or the Anti-Plunder Act, provides for the preventive suspension of any official facing such a case.

Bangkok oil leak confirmed from Bangchak pipeline

Oil-contaminated wastewater in Bangkok has been traced to a Bangchak Group fuel pipeline along Chuea Phloeng Road in Khlong Toey district, Thitipat Chotidechachainan, secretary to the energy minister, confirmed on Thursday.

The latest leak location was found on Wednesday evening after a backhoe was used to excavate another section of the road surface about 10 metres from a site inspected earlier, Ms Thitipat said.

An oil stain was found on the pipeline at a depth of 2-3 metres underground near a bridge pier. A metal sheet had been placed near the pipeline to reduce vibration, and workers will have to move the sheet to further inspect the condition of the pipeline.

The discovery came after Bangchak said on Saturday that its own inspections using several engineering techniques had found no leaks, but that further tests would be conducted.

More sections of the road surface would be excavated on Thursday, Ms Thitipat said, adding that contamination of the capital’s drainage system was now confirmed to have been caused by the pipeline leak.

Bangchak owns Bangkok Fuel Pipeline and Logistics Co (BFPL), which operates the pipeline owned by BAFS Pipeline Transportation Co (BPT), a subsidiary of Bangkok Aviation Fuel Services Plc (BAFS). Bangchak has a 9.4% shareholding in SET-listed BAFS. The pipeline connects the Bangchak refinery to depots and major airports including Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi.

The oil leak inspection, coordinated by several agencies, has dragged on for more than a week following public complaints about a strong oil smell in the area, concentrated under the Rama III elevated bridge at the boundary between Klong Toey and Yannawa districts.

Thousands of litres of oil-contaminated wastewater were later pumped up from underground over the past week.

BFPL and BPT would be responsible for all damage caused by the leak, Ms Thitipat said.

Ms Thitipat said the seepage might have been so small that Bangchak’s initial tests could not detect it, adding that more detailed checks were therefore required.

Corrective plan

As for the corrective plan, she said the operator must promptly identify any damaged areas, defects or flaws along the pipeline and carry out repairs as quickly as possible.

At the same time, the pipeline owner must submit records of maintenance and repair activities for the entire system to the Department of Energy Business.

These records will support the investigation into the root cause of the incident and facilitate a comprehensive risk assessment of the system.

Following completion of the repairs, a pigging test must be carried out along the pipeline, covering 32 kilometres, to assess its internal condition and identify any areas that may be susceptible to abnormalities.

Pigging involves sending a specialised device called a ‘pig’ (pipeline inspection gauge) through a pipe to clean, measure or evaluate internal conditions without stopping the flow.

If any irregularities are detected, operations must be suspended immediately so the affected area can be inspected and repaired before testing resumes.

Any affected section of the fuel pipeline would be replaced with a new section, Ms Thitipat said.

Rerouting the pipeline would be considered as a long-term measure, particularly for sections located beneath bridge piers or other potentially hazardous structures, to prevent similar incidents from recurring.

Fire hits part of Angeles City public market

A fire hit a portion of the Pampang Public Market in Angeles City on Wednesday night, displacing dozens of stall owners.

The Bureau of Fire Protection in Angeles City declared the blaze ‘contained’ early Thursday, although firefighters were still working to fully extinguish it.

Market supervisor Aiza Zapanta Santos said the fire damaged the market’s sari-sari (mixed goods) section. No casualties were reported.

Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin II ordered the temporary closure of the sari-sari and wet sections of the market as a safety precaution.

Police officers were also deployed around the market to prevent possible looting or other incidents while authorities assessed the damage, the city government said.

As of Thursday morning, authorities had yet to determine the cause of the fire, the number of stalls affected, and the total value of the damage

Barau, Women Affairs Minister, others to grace Peace Achievers Awards

Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, and other prominent personalities are expected to attend the 16th Peace Achievers International Awards 2026.

The annual event, now in its 16th edition, is scheduled to hold on November 7 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

The ceremony will bring together humanitarian and political leaders, business executives, entrepreneurs, professionals, philanthropists, entertainers, media practitioners, civil society actors and other stakeholders to celebrate individuals and organisations making meaningful contributions to society.

The convener, Amb. Dr Kingsley Amafibe, said in a statement that the 2026 edition would recognise achievements in peacebuilding, leadership, humanitarian service, social development, entrepreneurship, public service, education, healthcare, entertainment, media and community development.

Amafibe said the awards were not solely about professional accomplishments but also about the impact individuals and institutions had made in their communities and society at large.

He said the event would honour people whose work reflected values such as peace, integrity, innovation, compassion, service and excellence, while encouraging others to contribute positively to society.

According to him, peace goes beyond the absence of conflict, as it also involves inclusion, dialogue, mutual respect, opportunity and the ability of people and communities to work together towards common goals.

Amafibe said the 16th edition would therefore serve both as a celebration of achievement and a platform for conversations on peace, unity and responsible leadership.

He added that the event would highlight the contributions of individuals from different generations and sectors, describing the platform as an avenue to inspire young people to pursue excellence, overcome challenges and use their talents and influence for the good of society.

He said reaching the 16th edition reflected the enduring relevance of recognising individuals and organisations contributing to peace, development and social progress.

Amafibe added that this year’s edition would build on the legacy of previous editions, with renewed emphasis on leadership, impact, service and excellence.

The 16th Peace Achievers International Awards 2026 is expected to bring together stakeholders from different sectors to celebrate contributions to peace, development and social progress.

Oyo govt debunks N683m vehicle procurement claim

The Oyo State Government has dismissed as false a report by an online media outlet alleging that the state spent N683.7 million to purchase two vehicles, a 2004 Toyota Camry and a 10-seater Toyota Hiace bus.

The government said the amount cited in the report was budgeted for a publicity programme and not the procurement of the two vehicles.

The Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, stated this in a press release issued on Wednesday, September 16, describing the publication as a misrepresentation of official financial records.

According to him, the N683.7 million figure appeared under the budget line titled ‘Advertisement and Publicity Awareness for the Public.’

He explained that the amount covered several activities and components of the programme, adding that the vehicles mentioned in the report were only part of its logistics.

‘The N683.7m figure is not a vehicle procurement cost,’ Olanrewaju said.

‘This is a programme-level expenditure, covering multiple activities and components. The vehicles mentioned in the report were merely part of the programme’s logistics, not standalone purchases valued at N683m.’

The government also faulted the headline of the publication, arguing that it was inconsistent with the contents of the audited financial statement cited by the medium.

Olanrewaju noted that the report itself acknowledged that the document did not provide a breakdown of the amounts spent on the Toyota Camry and Hiace bus.

He quoted the publication as admitting that it ‘does not provide a breakdown of how much was spent on the Toyota Camry and the Hiace bus,’ ‘does not state the individual prices,’ and ‘does not indicate whether other expenses were included.’

He added that despite these acknowledgements, the medium published a headline suggesting that the entire N683.7 million was spent on the two vehicles.

The government further cited other vehicle procurement figures contained in the same financial statement to support its position.

According to the release, the audited statement listed a 30-seater Toyota Coaster, 2015 model, at N140 million; a 2021 Toyota Hiace Hummer bus at N156.95 million; and Toyota Corolla vehicles, 2019/2020 models, at N28.98 million and N50.71 million.

The government argued that the figures contradicted the allegation that N683.7 million was spent on a 2004 Toyota Camry and a 10-seater Hiace bus.

‘It is therefore illogical to suggest that the state paid N683m for a 2004 Camry and a 10-seater Hiace,’ the statement said.

Olanrewaju maintained that no line item in the audited financial statement supported the claim that the state spent the amount on the two vehicles.

‘The Sahara Reporters’ headline is a distortion built on assumption rather than evidence,’ he said.

He urged media organisations to exercise caution when interpreting public financial records, stressing that the public deserved accurate information, ‘not sensationalism.’

The government said the Makinde administration remained committed to transparency, accountability and responsible financial management.

It added that its audited financial statements were publicly available and prepared in accordance with statutory requirements.

‘We welcome scrutiny, but such scrutiny must be grounded in facts,’ Olanrewaju said.

He urged media organisations to uphold professional standards and avoid what he described as the misrepresentation of government documents.

The government concluded that the allegation was ‘false, misleading, and inconsistent with the financial records cited.’