Photo Egypt Independent

The Egyptian Environment Ministry on Friday fined Tanzanian oil service boat “MEHR” US$108,000 after it ran aground inside Gabal Elba national park south of the Red Sea, three nautical miles from the shore.

A statement from the Ministry said that the boat destroyed an area of coral reefs, causing damage to the marine environment in the area of the accident.

The emergency center of the Environmental Affairs Agency in Cairo had received a notification from the officials of the Red Sea reserves that a petroleum service boat carrying the Tanzanian flag ran aground and collided with coral reefs.

The boat stopped sailing and tilted on one side, with six Pakistani sailors on board.

Immediately, the Environment Ministry decided to form a technical committee of environmental researchers in the Red Sea Governorate to examine the accident.

Investigations found that boat is roughly 41 meters and caused damage to coral reefs at an area of 40 meters and width of three meters. The cost of one meter of damage was estimated at $300.

The company was obligated to unload the shipment of the boat from oil or fuel, due to its danger to marine organisms, and move the boat from its current location.

It is also scheduled to conduct another inspection to estimate the size of the losses after the boat was refloated and towed away from the coral reefs area.

It decided to take legal measures and file a report with the incident to the Public Prosecution to complete investigations into the incident. - Egypt Independent

European Union flag. Photo by EU website

JUBA – The European Union has invested €4.8 million to supports developing fruit and vegetable value chains in South Sudan in a bid to increase young people and women’s participation in economic activity and provide jobs.

The project funded by the European Union will increase the competitiveness of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the sector. 

Speaking at the occasion, Agak Achuil, First Undersecretary for Trade and Industry, said “This project is one among many other important projects that benefited from EU funding in the country and the Ministry will do all that is possible within its jurisdiction to ensure a successful implementation of the project.”

Christian Bader, Ambassador of the European Delegation to South Sudan said expressed his happiness to launch the project in very timely manner.

“Investment in modern agriculture could contribute significantly to poverty alleviation and food security, and boost income and jobs generation in a moment where once again the people of South Sudan is facing a possible famine crisis,” Badder said.

Ashish Shah, ITC Director of Country Programs said he is honored to provide technical support to the government and private sector where the need for economic and trade development is felt the most.

“ITC will deliver the needed support to enable MSMEs to develop their operational capacities and business performance, to provide employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for youth and women as well as improve capacities of business development services,” Shah stated.

Mary Gordon Muortat, Executive Director of the South Sudan National Bureau of Standards said: “The project provides an opportunity to improve the quality and food safety compliance capacities both at the level of institutions and operators along with the fruits and vegetable value chains.

“It will train advisers on Quality and food Safety and assist MSMEs in the fruits and vegetable value chains for compliance with market-relevant standards,” Gordon stated. - Sudans Post