Monrovia (Liberia) The Liberian government, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank Saturday launched a US$7.2 million initiative to rid Monrovia, the capital city and its environs of garbage and other hazardous waste.

Dr. Kamil Kamaluddeen, UNDP officer-in-charge of the Emergency Infrastructure Program, said under the project, solid waste will be managed, drainages rehabilitated, public toilets built, and markets rehabilitated in Monrovia and its environs.

The Monrovia Urban Works project, Mr. Kamaluddeed said, is part of the Emergency Infrastructure Project for which an agreement between the UN agencies and the Liberian government was signed last year.

The mayor of Monrovia, Ophelia Saytumah described the occasion as historic for the Liberian capital because it is the first time since 1980, that the World Bank has intervened to assist the city.

She said Monrovia is overwhelmed with both solid and liquid waste because the city, which was originally built for 10,000 persons, rose to 400,000 in the 1980s and now has about 1.3 million inhabitants.

She disclosed that each Monrovia resident generates an average of four pounds of dirt per day, making the outbreak of epidemics a common occurrence.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the World Bank Country Director, Liugi Giovanni disclosed that the Waterside, Duala and Red Light markets in Monrovia would be rehabilitated under the project, and that the exercise would help create the much needed jobs in post-war Liberia.

The Vice President of Liberia, who cut the ribbon marking the launch of the project, challenged city planners to learn from the Monrovia experience and plan cities in a way that they will accommodate large populations.

He pledged the government’s commitment to transforming Monrovia into a modern city that can match any other African capital city.

Published by Korir, African Press in Norway, apn, africanpress@chello.no tel +47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525 source.apa

Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) The Ethiopian government on Saturday claimed to have killed more than 200 armed extremists during its offensive in Mogadishu, the Somali capital in the past three days.

In a statement issued Saturday by the Ethiopian Ministry of Information, regarding the ongoing “clean up campaign” against insurgents in Somalia, it said that the Ethiopian troops, together with troops of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia have been at war against the insurgents in Mogadishu for the past three days.

The ministry said that in addition to the over 200 insurgents killed by the Ethiopian and TFG troops, 13 others have surrendered to the army.

It also said 13 battle-wagons (armed vehicles) and other vehicles full of arms were destroyed by the offensive.

Ethiopia also admitted that its military aircraft was shot down during the offensive.

“The Ethiopian army has freed areas in Mogadishu that were under the control of the insurgents, which was affecting the movement of the peacekeeping forces in certain places of the city by launching an offensive,” the Ministry said.

The statement indicates that the ongoing clean up campaign against the insurgents is being carried out in order to facilitate the up coming Somali reconciliation conference, which is scheduled to start on 16 April 2007.

Published by Korir, African Press in Norway, apn, africanpress@chello.no source.apa

The full day seminar will focus on the 60 sub trends in seniors housing starting to emerge in 2007 and will take you into the future (2008 and beyond).The first very successful briefing on new trends in retirement villages/care homes was successfully completed on Dec. 18 in Toronto.A group of architects and developers attended the day long briefing.You are welcome to join one of the next briefings set down for New York on Mon 11 June 2007 / Toronto Wed 13 June 2007 / Washington D.C. Fri 8 June 2007 / Chicago Thu 7 June 2007.A 9:30am to 4:00pm seminar/workshop for a maximum of 8 attendees to gain a thorough private briefing on all trends in the Canadian +50s HousingThis intimate setting allows both industry newcomers/greenhorns and well-established operators an opportunity to learn years of study in one day.The trends will cover all Over 50s Housing in independent, semi-dependent and dependent sectors.Who is the Seminar Aimed at:Builders, developers, financiers, architects, owners, seniors housing executives who are either, contemplating entering the over 50s housing sector and long standing industry players who need an outside view to freshen up thinking, perspective or re-evaluate industry positioning. Content:Detailed analysis of the 60 sub-trends in 50s independent housing, as well as the sub-trends in semi-dependant housing and the future of skilled nursing/ nursing homes socio-economic trends, social impacts, financing techniques and an overview of best practice developers, funders, managers and operators as well as a review of design, architecture, construction and business models. Presentation Coordinator:The all day session will be presented by the research editor of www.seniorshousing.us one of the foremost authorities worldwide on seniors housing trends). Comments by Past Participants:I exhort you to attend. The delegates who have attended the Day Long Sessions mid-year have enjoyed the most extraordinary experience.The reactions have covered the full gamut“This has been a life changing experience” – New York“You have added a new dimension to my business” – Washington D.C.“Can we stay in contact so that you may guide my learning and development” – Washington D.C.“Why didn’t you say in your promotion of the event that you were this good? This exceeds any conference I’ve ever been to” – New York“The New Business Models were awe-inspiring” – New York“I’ve been going to industry conferences for many years and have never heard anything as insightful as this …” - Los AngelesTailored Business Help:We will stay in contact beyond the Day Long Seminar. We will provide updates on the Trends and you will be given private access for help beyond the Day Seminar.These sessions were so valuable because they are run in very small numbers and only twice a year.   Venues:

 Price:US$898 per person (if booked and paid by 5pm 5 April 2007. Full price is US$1498 per person). Conditions:Limit of 8 per daily session.Cancellation fee: 100% refund up to 30 days before event, 50% refund up until 7 days, thereafter 100% cancellation rate applies. Materials Provided:Study Manual on Trends (100 pg)Copy of power point presentation (trends in 50s Housing)6 DVDs on Seniors Housing Award WinnersBaby Boomer Housing Study - May 2005 (96pages)Housing Seniors (Joint Venture for Housing Studies of Harvard University)Transgenerational Design MattersProfile of Buyers Home Feature PreferencesPulte/Del Webb Seniors Housing Survey Results How to book:CLICK HERE to download the order form. Eithera) Email:      sales@seniorshousing.usb) Fax  :       +1 323 908 6218c) Mail :      Open Eye Corporation468 N. Camden Dr #200Beverly Hills CA 90210USAWho We Are:OpenEye Corporation specializes in filming property trends across the world and making them available to industry participants in every country, in a cost efficient and visually instructive way.OpenEye Corporation conducts specialist research into trends in the Over 50s Housing Market around the world and presents this research in exclusive intimate seminars from time to time.

OpenEye Corporation also publishes a monthly Over 50s Housing trends newsletter for its worldwide database of 500,000 industry professionals.

Who is the Research Aimed at:Architects, Designers, Investors, Industry Executives, Town Planers, Government Officials and those interested in learning about trends in this growth sector and who are thirsty for knowledge but are time poor but still wish to stay abreast of international trends and standards will be the main beneficiaries.Free Over 50’s Housing Trends Newsletter: If you wish to keep up to date with building trends in the over 50’s market, you can access a free monthly newsletter by going to www.seniorshousing.us / or www.seniorshousing.co.uk and clicking on ‘Newsletter’. This newsletter archives all past and present newsletters.

If You Wish to be Added to Our Database: 

Email: sales@seniorshousing.us and nominate the address to be added. Head Office: 

OpenEye Corporation

468 N. Camden Dr #200
Beverly Hills CA 90210
USA

Phone: +1 310 860 5116
Fax:   +1 323 908 6218Email: sales@seniorshousing.us

Web:   www.seniorshousing.us

Published by Korir, African Press in Norway, apn, africanpress@chello.no tel +47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525

President Kibaki’s popularity now above 50 percent   

By Evelyn Njoroge  

President Mwai Kibaki’s popularity rating has shot up by an overwhelming 9 points, with a new poll giving him a 51 percent approval.  

According to the quarterly polls released by Steadman Research Group, this is the first time a presidential candidate’s approval ratings have surpassed the 50 percent mark.  

While releasing the results on Saturday, Political Consultant Tom Wolf said the Head of State is more popular in the rural areas than in the urban areas especially in Central, Eastern andNorth
Eastern
Provinces.  

Central Province respondents led by 86 percent followed by Eastern Province with 60 percent while Rift Valley and North Eastern Province came third with 51 percent.  

“Interestingly, even among the ones who feel closest to ODM(Orange Democratic Party of Kenya), about one in ten identifies the President as the one they would give their vote to,” revealed Wolf.  

His closest challenger, Langata MP Raila Odinga was 34 percentage points lower, with 17 percent of respondents endorsing him, while Kalonzo Musyoka’s popularity dropped from 20 to 14 percent.  

This is the first time that the Langata MP has surpassed his ODM counterpart Kalonzo. In December, Raila’s rating was 14 percent compared to Kalonzo’s 20 percent.  

Wolf however said the polls conducted between 14th and 21st of March; indicated that the President’s supporters still see Kalonzo as one of his biggest threat.  

He also noted that there is uncertainty on which political party the incumbent President is likely to run on.  

“When we posed the question, which party do you think President Kibaki will run on, 60 percent said Narc Kenya compared to 59 percent in December last year. 28 percent said Narc which is a 5 percent increase from December’s polls while 9 percent said they did not know,” added Wolf.  

The survey indicated that leader of opposition Gatundu South MP Uhuru Kenyatta and former ruling party KANU’s support continue to wane to the lowest levels recorded so far of 2 percent.  

The three most popular parties ODM, NARC and NARC
Kenya continue to gain support at the expense of other parties.  

The consultant said President Kibaki’s announcement of his re-election bid has been the most significant event that has shaped the current political scene.  

Other findings indicated that Kenyans find it difficult to think of alternatives to the current political class in terms of alternative presidential candidates.  

The target population for this survey was all Kenyan adults aged 18 and above.  

A sample size of 2,027 respondents was drawn to achieve a 35:65 urban to rural ratio.  

The interviews were done at household level to allow for pure random sampling and thus ensure a full representation of the various demographics and also for quality control.

Posted to APN by Karuga Njuguna

Published by African Press in Norway, apn, africanpress@chello.no tel +47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525