China speeds up efforts to expand, renovate expressways

By Liu Zhiqiang, People’s Daily

China has basically completed the construction of the framework of its expressway network after four decades of endeavors. The total mileage of the country’s expressways stands at nearly 170,000 kilometers, the longest in the world.

However, the country is still seeing unbalanced and inadequate development of its expressway network. Transport service capacity of some expressways built in the old days is on a decline.

To meet new demands and strengthen areas of weakness, China has accelerated its steps to expand and renovate its expressways.

Key technologies have been widely applied to connect new and old roadbeds, reinforce old bridges, and recycle pavement materials and safety facilities, said an official with the Ministry of Transport.

According to the official, China has approved over 70 projects of expressway expansion and renovation since 2016, with a total mileage of more than 6,000 kilometers.

Expressway expansion and renovation has played an positive role in improving road transport service and promoting regional development, as indicated by projects that were completed in the recent years.

For instance, a 248.7-kilometer section between Luzhai and Nanning along the Liuzhou-Nanning Expressway in south China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region has been expanded to a two-way eight-lane road.

“The section was once the busiest expressway in Guangxi and the most jammed one on holidays,” said Zhu Zhiqin, vice general manager of the company responsible for the expansion project.

He told People’s Daily that the section’s traffic capacity has significantly improved thanks to the project. Nowadays, about 54,600 vehicles are running along the section per day on average, up 62.8 percent before the project was implemented.

The Nanjing-Hangzhou section of the G25 Expressway that connects the northeastern city of Changchun and Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong province has significantly improved its capability in diverging traffic after a renovation project was implemented. The project effectively alleviated the traffic pressure of Hangzhou.

Due to limited capital, technology and cognitive level, some expressways built by China long ago were not very satisfying technically. Expansion and renovation projects can effectively improve the performance of these expressways and upgrade them in an intelligent manner, thus improving traffic safety, capacity and services, said Shi Liangqing, vice president of the Transport Planning and Research Institute under the Ministry of Transport.

According to relevant planning, China will renovate a number of busy expressways in its central and eastern regions such as the G2 Beijing-Shanghai Expressway, the G4 Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway, the G25 Changchun-Shenzhen Expressway, the G60 Shanghai-Kunming Expressway and the G30 Lianyungang–Khorgas Expressway.

Akwa Ibom indigenes appreciate NEMA’s donation of multi-million naira relief materials

Some natives of Akwa Ibom State have commended the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for its prompt responses to the humanitarian needs of the state.

The indigenes, under the aegis of Ibom Progressive Forum, hailed the interventionist agency, for the donation of multi-million naira relief materials to flood victims.

A statement by Obong John Umoh said NEMA has always been prompt with its responses to humanitarian crises in the state and indeed across the country.

He recalled that in September, NEMA donated relief materials to 761 families of communal clashes in Oku and Iboku councils.

Umoh noted that earlier in May, the agency carried out a post-impact assessment of the areas and obtained approval for relief materials to assist the victims to recover from the impact of the attack.

He added that NEMA returned early in November to support victims of flooding with relief materials worth millions of naira.

According to Umoh, “the relief materials donated by NEMA include; 1, 000 bags of 10kg rice, 1, 000 bags of 10kg beans, 1, 000 bags of 10kg maize, 75 bags of 20kg salt, 75 kegs of 20litres vegetable oil, 150 cartons of seasoning cubes and 75 cartons of tin tomato.

” Other items include; 8, 000 pieces of nylon mats 1, 000 pieces mosquito treated nets, 600 cartons of bar soap, 2,500 pieces of guinea brocade, 1, 000 pieces of children’s wear, 1, 000 pieces of women’s wear and 1, 000 pieces of men’s wear among others. This has gone a long way in ameliorating the sufferings of our people”.

But Umoh reckons that the icing on the cake was another visit to the state by NEMA and this time, the management team was led by its Director-General, Habib Mustapha Ahmed.

According to him, not only did the NEMA team monitor the current situation of things in the state, but they also donated more items.

“Yet again, NEMA demonstrated proactiveness by returning to Akwa Ibom. The DG handed over relief assistance in form of food and non-food items, including; clothing and hygiene materials to His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom. Grains and Garri from the Strategic Reserves of the Federal Government were received too.

” What more can my people ask of? They have been adequately taken care of by NEMA. No wonder our governor reciprocated the kind gesture by donating an office complex to the agency for use to ease their services during disaster management within Akwa Ibom and Cross River.

“On behalf of the good people of Akwa Ibom state, we wish to thank the NEMA DG and his team for always coming through for our people. We want to charge them to sustain the momentum and aggressive response across the country.

” On our part, we must avert future occurrence. Hence, the state government must yield to all the warnings of NEMA. This is not a time to be ignorant. All hands must be on deck”.

SECURITY: YAHAYA’S SILENT TRAILS ON INSURGENCY WAR

By Philip Agbese

While necessity remains the mother of invention, experience has proven to be the soul attribute of successful leadership. The steady disruption of peace in northern Nigeria by widespread insurgency was a clarion call that needed to be answered by the best and most-effective personality who understood the severity of the challenge. This was a call for one who had led war and is used to the frontlines; a person with a clear distinction between peace and war.

Enter General Yahaya Farouk. On May 27 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari, in his usual thoughtful act of redirecting and refocusing this country along the lines of greatness appointed Gen Faruk as Chief of Army staff. The Sokoto-born General had to return from the Northeast where he was hitherto serving as the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, which is the Boko Haram counterinsurgency operation.

General Yahaya Farouk has always imbibed the right attitude from his early days as a professional soldier. He never gave room for laxity and assumptions, dealing decisively with terrorists. He pursued them to the very end with strength, vigour and technical support until they were ultimately crushed or left with no option but surrender. He was that cruel.

His ruthlessly calculative approaches paid dividends aplenty. Troops never had it better against the terrorists who were neutralised at every instance. This made him stand out among his counterparts. As Theatre Commander, Ops Lafia Dole, he further enhanced his burgeoning reputation.

The COAS flaunts impeccable records with little or no casualties in many confrontations with terrorists. His return to the trenches was therefore not surprising as he continued to make positive efforts towards ensuring that the last terrorist in the northeast is either exterminated or arrested.

Not done yet, Gen Faruk has broken new ground as Army Chief. No surprise. Beyond his record of success, the gallant COAS is a born leader with a charming aura and intimidating fragrance for criminals. He hit the ground running, directing timely focus to troubled areas while adopting the necessary modalities to achieve his intended results. Jackpot!

In less than two years, Faruk Yahaya has attained demigod status, surpassing every benchmark. His unique skills have come to the fore being a war veteran, peacekeeper, and administrator with efficiency in maintaining order and stability in conflict-ridden areas. This General respects the boundaries of religion too, careful to avoid discrepancies in his judgements and decision-making.

But beneath the tough, no-nonsense soldier lies a compassionate and adoring man. Humane and passionate about the plight of the less privileged, Faruk is kind to a fault, humble and amiable. He is loved by all owing to his willingness to support soldiers and citizens without showing any tolerance for nepotism.

On the field, he works earnestly to implant his cheerful disposition in the Army. First, as a human being and then as a soldier, whose shadows should reflect in every army personnel, so long as he remains the COAS. He is the shining light among the current service chiefs and is reputed as the most charismatic on the continent.

Silent but wise, calm yet ferocious, jovial and decisive at the same time, Faruk has inspired men and officers alike to professionally give allegiance, patriotism and loyalty to the country. This is in spite f the enormous challenges of the 21st century.

However, in the last year, he has proven to be that crack soldier who will obey the last order. His persistent commitment has remarkably made the level of insecurity drastically reduce over time, while the alarming Book Haram insurgents have been dealt with in a pragmatic approach taken by President Muhammadu Buhari. Many successes have been recorded under his leadership as he has been steadfast in the discharge of his duty and providing aid to civil authority.

Yet the earlier we all recognise that no service can do it alone in this fight against banditry and insurgency, the better for us as Armed Forces and a Nation to surmount the current security challenges. This fight needs the support of all and sundry.
On this note, Yahaya Faruk has requested everyone to continue to partner, collaborate and cooperate with the security agencies despite daunting challenges in our collective aspiration to keep Nigeria safe, prosperous and a home for all.

Mr President got it right with the appointment of General Yahaya Faruk. Thanks to the right decision made, now, the dreaded and blood-thirsty members of the insurgent group called Boko Haram have been sacked from many villages they formerly occupied, and majority have been frustrated to flee through the borders.

Security is development, without development, there is no security and without security, there is no development. These two are what help every nation to exude unending greatness. And together, we all can sustain Nigeria’s greatness.

Agbese is a security expert/human rights activist based in the United Kingdom

NEMA: Where Habib is redefining governance

By Jacob Ezra

The flooding experienced in some parts of the country had devastating effects. People were displaced, sources of livelihood were destroyed, and in some instances, lives were lost. Indeed it was a challenging period in the country as socio-economic activities were also disrupted.

Flooding, like other natural disasters, are sometimes beyond our control; however, what is imperative is the preparedness to mitigate the effect of such disasters in affected communities, and the emphasis has always been on mitigating and minimizing the loss of lives and destruction of properties.

This brings me to the recent operations of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). I have had some reservations about the preparedness of NEMA to address natural disasters in the country. This is on the heels of the not-so-pleasant news that has characterized its operations in times past, where the agency was bedevilled with numerous issues that undermined its operational effectiveness.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was established via Act 12, as amended by Act 50 of 1999, to manage disasters in Nigeria by formulating policies on all activities relating to disaster management and coordinating the plans and programmes for efficient and effective response to disasters at the national level.

The recent flooding experienced in parts of the country and the response by NEMA are noteworthy. For once, we saw a well-coordinated disaster management regime that indeed buttressed the point that the leadership of NEMA got it right with how it responded to mitigate the disaster.

I recall sometime last year when Ahmed Mustapha Habib was appointed as the agency’s director general. There were reservations in some quarters concerning his ability to deliver on the job considering the agency’s sensitivity in the country. I also recall that one of the first decisions made was to understand the issues that hindered NEMA from carrying out its mandate effectively.

It is therefore not surprising that in a year; an agency that had been bedevilled with numerous issues is now refocused and strategically positioned to address national emergencies in the country. I gathered that this feat didn’t come on a platter of gold, as much effort went into making NEMA what it is today. Of course, the transparency and accountability aspect was very critical and meant that leadership must be by example.

I believe the NEMA DG understood this complexity hence his emphasis in this regard which has paid off handsomely with the era of diversion of relief materials and other essentials for victims of disasters in the country now a thing of the past. The DG was also able to establish that it wasn’t business as usual with the agency’s funds.

Those in the know of the new regime in NEMA would attest that since the coming of Ahmed Mustapha Habib, the operations of NEMA, which was literally on life support, have bounced to life with structures and mechanisms that address malaise, redundancy and operational ineffectiveness.

NEMA today is a hub of activities that has bolstered confidence in stakeholders and development partners. The handling of the recent flood disaster is an example of what Nigerians should expect moving forward. This is not to say it is Uhuru. However, the indices point in the right direction with regard to our preparedness for mitigating the effects of emergencies brought about by natural and artificial disasters across the country.

What Ahmed Mustapha Habib did differently is the provision of purposeful leadership, which has consequently translated to the many gains recorded in the operations of NEMA. This also reinforces the notion that sound leadership is essential in our quest for sustainable growth and development in the country. Those in leadership positions must rise above sentiments and self-gains in discharging their duties. They must see the bigger picture, which remains in the country’s interest and consequently understand that leadership is about service in every sense of it.

The Ahmed Mustapha Habib example at NEMA is a commendable one. He has displayed foresight and a solid commitment to introduce and sustain laudable reforms in emergency and disaster management in the country. This is yielding the needed results as we are all witness to how NEMA coordinated efforts towards mitigating the effect of the flood disaster.

We saw search and rescue efforts at their best. We also saw the effective distribution of relief items to affected communities very transparently, unlike in times past. We also have witnessed renewed support from the international community through the donation of relief items for flood victims across the country.

Ahmed Mustapha Habib no doubt redefined governance through his leadership strides at NEMA. The onus lies on critical stakeholders to support this visionary leader burning with a passion for service to the country.

Ezra, a public affairs commentator wrote this piece from Yenegoa.

Health: Centre recommends Gov Yahaya Bello for Nobel Prize

Governor Yahaya Bello has been put forward for next year’s Nobel Prize.

The Centre for Peace and Justice in Africa recommended the governor for his “groundbreaking feat in healthcare”.

The Nobel Prizes are awarded “to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind”.

And in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Ifure Ifure, the centre said Bello has bucked the trend with health infrastructures uncommon in Africa.

Ifure listed the Reference Hospital Okene (RHO), Maimunat and Usman Yahaya Foundation Hospital, a community-based hospital in Ankpa and remodelling and re-equipping of 21 existing Primary Health Care Centres (one per Local Government) with solar-powered boreholes and electrification as part of the governor’s footprints.

He added that the Psychiatric Center in Lokoja, Prince Abubakar Audu University Teaching Hospital, Ultra-modern General Hospital Badoko, in Ajaokuta, Ultra-Modern General hospital in Gegu Beki and Ultra-modern Clinical Center Isanly, in Yagba are others.

” In particular, the Reference Hospital is one of a kind. It is no longer news that Governor Bello built this state-of-the-art facility in Kogi to end the trend of medical tourism. But he didn’t stop there. The governor has continued to cram the hospital with world-class equipment,”he said.

“For example, the 1.5T MRI Scanners designed by GE Health is the first to be installed in Africa. The device examines organs, tissues and the skeletal system, producing high-resolution images of the inside of the body that help diagnose a variety of problems.

“Our findings reveal that the MRI scanner installed in Kogi is the second in the world manufactured and installed by GE and first in Africa. This is an absolute phenomenon considering the state’s low internally generated revenue.

” Governor Bello is reputed as the best governor in security. This has somewhat overshadowed his achievements in other critical areas such as healthcare.

“With the Bello Cares initiative, citizens now enjoy free medical care in the state – the first of its kind in the country. Pregnant women, children under the age of five, people with disabilities and persons above the age of 65 are currently enjoying free healthcare services.

” We are, therefore, using this medium fo recommend Governor Bello for this international recognition to motivate other African leaders to invest more in healthcare. This will also lead to better lives for Africans.”

Flooding: Group canvasses for increased budget, international support for NEMA

The Inter-Society for Humanitarian Needs (ISHN) has called for more budgetary allocation for the National Emergency Management Agency to cope with the rising humanitarian needs of Nigerians.

In a statement signed by its convener, Dr Njoku Ike, the group said this is necessary to meet with international best practices, considering the effect of climate change globally.

Ike said the interventionist agency has been overstretched in the last year due to the rampaging flooding, insurgency and other criminalities in the nation.

According to Dr Ike, NEMA has risen to the occasion despite the limited funds and resources at its disposal.

Commending the agency under Mustapha Habib Ahmed, the group said NEMA has been up to its responsibilities, touching every part of the country affected by the natural disaster.

Ike said NEMA has become synonymous with transparency and accountability in its operation, adding that the recent distribution of over 12,000 tonnes of grains to the 36 States attests.

But he added that a lot more needs to be done, especially as the NEMA boss has warned of worse flooding next year.

Ike said it is good that Ahmed understands the challenges ahead and must be supported adequately to avert the tragedies of 2022 worsened by the neglect of state governments.

The Inter-Society for Humanitarian Needs, therefore, called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly to consider improved funding for the agency.

The group also urged international NGOs and CSOs to channel aid to victims of humanitarian issues in the country through NEMA.

While calling for more proactive measures from state emergency agencies, Ike obliged the Federal Government to implement hazard allowance for the agency staff who risk their lives to go to the most obscure places to provide succour for Nigerians.

Ike, however, expressed confidence with more support, NEMA will do even better than it has done, implying better life for Nigerians.

First-store economy’ leads consumption upgrade

By Xu Peiyu

“First-store economy” means the total businesses brought about by the first stores set up by international or domestic brands in a specific region.

A number of brands have recently established their first stores in major Chinese cities, offering new destinations of consumption with upgraded services. Driven by the robust “first-store economy,” commercial zones in multiple cities have witnessed a rise in retail sales and a further release of consumption potential.

For instance, eight top-notch beauty brands, including Tom Ford, Gucci, Lancome and Yves Saint Laurent, recently set up outlets at Parc 66, a retail landmark in Jinan, east China’s Shandong province, which were these brands’ first in Jinan or Shandong province.

Besides, people were seen lining up in front of a new shop opened by Chinese pastry maker Luxihe in Xiamen, southeast China’s Fujian province, and the first franchise store opened by LELECHA, a high-end tea drink brand in Fujian was also crowded.

Japanese furniture and home accessories retail company Nitori, Japanese restaurant Ginza Onodera and Chinese chain restaurant Green Tea made their debut in Changsha, central China’s Hunan province. During the weeklong National Day holiday in October, 51 major merchandising enterprises in the city reported total revenue of over 862 million yuan, up 8.84 percent year on year.

Apart from that, most of the “first stores” that recently opened have launched customized services and experience activities to better meet consumers’ individualized and upgraded demands.

On Sept. 30, a Nike Style retail concept store opened at the Shanghai TX Huaihai shopping mall. It is the first retail concept store opened by Nike in China after the multinational sportswear company decided to accelerate its digitalization in the country. Besides, it is also the first Style Remix lab of Nike which allows consumers to customize their orders.

Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com launched a flagship experience store at a shopping mall in Hefei, east China’s Anhui province. Being tech-ish and fashionable, the store is attracting a large number of consumers.

Apart from renowned international companies, emerging Chinese brands are also launching first shops in Chinese cities to fully leverage brand influence, regional economic prospects and regional resource allocation. Last year, consumption became the top driving force for China’s economic growth, as final consumption expenditure contributed to 65.4 percent of the country’s economic growth.

The emerging “first-store economy” accelerates the building of international consumption center cities and contributes to consumption upgrade.

Shanghai, for example, proposed in September, 2021 to build itself into an international consumption center with global influence, competitiveness and reputation by the end of 2025. According to official statistics, the metropolis was home to over 1,000 “first stores” and over 3,000 brands debuted their products in Shanghai the last year.

In the first nine months of this year, 703 brands set up their first outlets in Shanghai, and the whole-year figure will exceed 800. Over 15 percent of consumers are expected to shop in the city because of the launch events to be hosted there.

“First-store economy” is exactly one of the important boosters advancing Shanghai’s progress in building an international consumption center city.

Zhang Jianping, director of the Center for Regional Economic Cooperation under the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told People’s Daily that “first stores” expand the scale effect of urban consumption and diversify consumers’ choices, thus improving cities’ consumption capability and helping the building of international consumption center cities.

World-class astronomical observation base takes shape in Qinghai province

By Jia Fengfeng, People’s Daily

Lenghu township in Mangya city, Haixi Mongol and Tibetan autonomous prefecture, northwest China’s Qinghai province, is hailed as “the most Mars-like place on the Earth”.

It was said to be an astronomical observation site comparable to the top ones in the world by a Nature article published on Aug. 18, 2021.

Today, the Lenghu astronomical observation base is making huge strides toward building a world-class astronomical observatory.

The township once prospered in 1950s due to its rich petroleum resources. However, as petroleum ran out, the remote, dry and sparsely populated township finally fell into silence.

Tian Cairang, an official with the Lenghu industrial park, came to Lenghu with his colleagues in 2017 to seek development opportunities, where they were inspired by the splendid starry sky above the Gobi Desert there.

At that time, scientist Deng Licai with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), who was then on a research mission at an observatory in Delingha, 560 kilometers from Lenghu, was looking for a proper site for a large optical telescope project. However, nothing was after his heart, though he had visited a number of places in western China for investigation.

Compared with radio telescopes, large optical telescopes feature higher technical specifications and costs. They have a rigid requirement on surrounding environment, such as the number of clear nights, sky brightness, and astronomical seeing. That’s why qualified optical observation stations are always scarce.

When Deng was over a barrel, he was reached by Tian, who persuaded him to have a trip to Lenghu. In January 2018, Deng, together with his team and Tian, started in-situ monitoring in Lenghu. Surprisingly, they found that the observation time there could add up to 300 days each year.

Upon the sampling of key parameters, Deng found the median of astronomical seeing in Lenghu was only 0.75 arc seconds, similar to those measured during the same time at the world’s best observation sites.

“Astronomical seeing indicates how much atmospheric agitation would blur observation. The smaller it is, the better the observation would be,” Deng explained.

According to him, there’s no world-class optical telescope located on similar longitudes as Lenghu. As astronomical observation needs to be sustained, the astronomical observatory in Lenghu would become an important base for international optical astronomical studies, as well as a vital source for original scientific innovations in astronomical research.

Deng Yuanyong, director of the Huairou Solar Observing Station of the National Astronomical Observatories (NAO) under the CAS, told People’s Daily that the Lenghu astronomical observation baseis built on three altitudes.

Astronomical observation facilities will be built above an altitude of 4,400 meters, and a series of scientific projects have been planned and are currently under construction at an elevation between 4,400 meters and 4,000 meters. Telescopes at an altitude of around 3,800 meters are expected to be used for both research and science popularization purposes.

Besides, science popularization facilities will also be built near Lenghu township, which is 2,700 meters above the sea level.

The Lenghu astronomical observation base is the result of cooperation between the NAO, the science and technology department of Qinghai, and the government of Haixi Mongol and Tibetan autonomous prefecture. So far, nine optical telescope projects have been implemented, with a total investment of nearly 2 billion yuan ($276 million).

An environmental protection regulation will be put into force on Jan. 1, 2023, in Haixi Mongol and Tibetan autonomous prefecture for better observation conditions. According to the regulation, both the types and brightness of light sources must be put under strict control in the core zones of dark-sky preserves, where the direction of all fixed outdoor illumination facilities should be tilted 30 degrees toward the ground. Besides, that in the buffer zone should be horizontal.

“We will do our best to protect these ‘big guys,’ so as to make scientists see what they want to see,” said Tian.

China accelerates green, low-carbon development

By Liu Wenxin, Liu Yi, People’s Daily

The Ministry of Ecology and Environment recently issued a report to review China’s policies and actions for addressing climate change since 2021.

The report demonstrated the country’s new progress in coping with climate change and its contributions to promoting global climate governance.

The report said China firmly implemented a national strategy of actively responding to climate change and put in place a policy framework for carbon peak and carbon neutrality over the recent years. The country has made a series of new arrangements and taken more forceful measures and policies to advance relevant work in an orderly manner, according to the report.

As of 2021, China had fostered 430 specialized and sophisticated enterprises that produce new and unique products in the environmental protection and energy conservation sector. The output value of the sector exceeds 8 trillion yuan ($1.1 trillion), with an annual growth rate of over 10 percent.

Nearly 90 types of products have obtained “green” certificates, including construction materials, express delivery packages and electronic products.

Optimizing its energy structure, China has vigorously developed the non-fossil sector while enhancing the clean utilization of fossil energy.

As of the end of 2021, the country’s installed capacity of renewable energy totaled 1.06 billion kilowatts, accounting for 44.8 percent of the total installed power generation capacity. China ranked first in the world in terms of offshore wind power installed capacity.

At the same time, China continuously promotes the clean and efficient utilization of traditional energies. The county upgraded coal-fired power plants with a total capacity of nearly 900 million kilowatts to save energy and reduce carbon emissions.

Besides, it completed ultra-low emission transformation of coal-fired power generation units totaling 1.03 billion kilowatts, or 93 percent of the country’s total installed capacity of coal power generation. The world’s largest clean coal-fired power system has been built.

China also enhances the carbon sink capacity of its ecosystem. Last year, China nurtured 34.67 million mu (2.31 million hectares) of forests, restored 14 million mu of degraded forests, planted 54 million mu of trees, and treated 21.6 million mu of land of sandy and rocky desertification.

Besides, it added and restored 1.09 million mu of wetlands. The country has seen continuous improvement in its natural reserve system with national parks as the mainstay.

According to the report, China’s CO2 emission per unit of GDP in 2021 decreased by 3.8 percent from that in 2020 and 50.8 percent from 2005. Non-fossil energy accounted for 16.6 percent of primary energy consumption. There was a significant drop in coal consumption per unit of GDP.

The national carbon emissions trading market is a major institutional innovation for China to reach its “dual carbon” goals. The trading market was officially launched in July 2021.

By Oct. 21 this year, it has witnessed a cumulative trading volume of 196 million tons, with a cumulative turnover of 8.58 billion yuan. The market has been operating in an orderly and stable manner, and the trading price is steadily increasing.

Wang Zhixuan, a member of China’s National Expert Committee on Climate Change noted that enterprises have gained a significantly higher awareness of carbon assets, carbon reduction and achieving low-cost carbon emission through market means.

The carbon trading market has started to show its functions in promoting enterprises’ greenhouse gas emission reduction and accelerating low-carbon transition, he added.

China will keep implementing the national strategy of actively responding to climate change, take the synergy between pollution reduction and carbon emissions as leverage for promoting a comprehensive transition to green and low-carbon economic and social development, and enhance its efforts to address issues at the source through systematic and holistic approaches, said Li Gao, an official of the Department of Climate Change at the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

Besides, the country will actively yet steadily advance its work related to carbon peak and neutrality, accelerate the low-carbon transition of key areas, construct the national carbon emissions trading market in a stable and orderly manner, and continue improving relevant legal and policy systems, Li noted.

He said China should carry out comprehensive and in-depth popularization campaigns on coping with climate change at multiple levels to foster green and low-carbon lifestyles and consumption habits.

The country should also implement the National Strategy for Climate Change Adaptation 2035 to enhance climate change monitoring and risk management, actively join global climate governance and make contributions to building a fair and rational global climate governance system for win-win results.

The gospel according to St. Peter Obi.

By Richard Augustine

The slogan; go and verify has been made popular by Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party. And he uses it recklessly even when some of the information he is churning out are false. I am not surprised because he is a regular politician. He can go to any length to woo the electorate in return for votes during elections.
Peter Obi is good because he is a master of the mind game. He understands the people’s psyche and how and when to make them gullible. This much has characterized his public outings since his romance with the Labour party began after the edge out from the PDP in the buildup to the presidential primaries.
The go-and-verify list is endless, and this piece is to put issues in proper perspectives for the unsuspecting members of the general public. Peter Obi is a businessman that would do everything to convince a potential buyer to buy his goods. These guys have the gift of the garb, which has worked magic in sustaining business and political empires.
However, I have a challenge with toying with the emotional sensibilities of the people whom he aspires to rule come 2023. Have we ever wondered why he is entrenched with the single narrative? ” I, Peter Obi, paid pensioners, I left monies in Anambra state coffers, I built roads, I built hospitals, I carry my bag myself, I have only one pair of shoes, I don’t have any house outside of Onitsha” etc. The list is endless and indicates that Peter Obi is a saint, whose gospel the Nigerian people must believe hook, line and sinker.
For example, Peter Obi said he was awarded best governor in health care in Nigeria by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2013. And he asked that Nigerians should “go and verify”. The verification returned that the information was not accurate. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation recognized him as the best-performing governor in eradicating polio in the south-east.
A good feat in the South East region. Even at that, eradicating polio in Nigeria is a national concern. All governors elected by the people are duty-bound to work towards eradicating polio with the relevant federal government agencies. It was the state’s resources at work, not his personal resources. And likewise, other state governors did make efforts towards eradicating polio. This claim was false and typical of Peter Obi.
Peter Obi also claimed governors formed the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in the south-east. In his words, “The Eastern Security Network was formed by the government of eastern states. The governors formed the security team; how can I condemn them? I’ve spoken about sit-at-home and I can tell you there was even a place they mentioned me. Everything I say, go and verify”
This is another one that failed verification as ESN was the creation of the Indigenous People of Biafra in 2020 with the primary responsibility to protect the south-east from terrorists and other criminal elements.
Peter Obi’s claim that out of 150 players in the American NBA, almost 100 are Nigerians is also worthy of scrutiny. Was he accurate in his postulation? The answer is no. According to NBA, about 109 international players registered for the league’s 2021-2022 season, and only five are from Nigeria.
Peter Obi’s claim that Nigeria’s total export was less than 30 billion US dollars in 2021 also shook the airwaves. “Nigeria is a country with 923,000 square kilometres of land and a population of 200 million people. God blessed us with oil and other resources. We have over 100 million people living in poverty. But to show that we are not a producing country, last year, our total export, including oil, was less than 30 billion dollars; that is why we can’t find dollars today.”
However, a report by the National Bureau of Statistics titled “Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics (Q4 2021)” shows that Nigeria’s total exports amounted to $47 billion (18.9 trillion naira in 2021 while total imports stood at N20.84 trillion.
The interesting angle is that this trend didn’t start today. Peter Obi, in 2019 as the vice presidential candidate of the PDP, also churned out inaccuracies during public outings. And I am not sure he has ever apologized for misleading people into believing his half-truths. For example, in 2019, he claimed that Nigeria was the third most insecure place to live on the earth’s surface.”
This was also false because, at the time, the Global Peace Index released annually by the Australia-based Institute for Economics and Peace, known globally to give such rankings, ranked Nigeria 16th among the least secure countries to live in. Afghanistan, Syria, South Sudan, Yemen and Iraq were the five least secure countries.
These and many more were the hallmarks of the Peter Obi outings. I often wonder whether these actions are deliberate or a function of grandstanding. I think they are intentional and a function of grandstanding, which smacks of deceit in my opinion. I can safely say Peter Obi might be suffering from Mythomania and Pseudologia fantastica, a chronic compulsive or habitual lying behaviour.
People suffering from Mythomania and Pseudologia fantastica are known for creating a false history, such as saying they’ve achieved or experienced something they haven’t. Such people get an instant high by spinning stories and telling them to people. And the lies are very extravagant and exaggerated. That is Peter Obi for you in his elements.
I am not convinced he is someone Nigerians should take seriously. It is obvious that he is not a team player. Have we wondered why he appears to be a lone ranger? Aside from the support he has garnered in the social media space by mostly gullible Nigerians that fell for his antics, there has not been any significant support from his team that worked with him while he was governor of Anambra state.
And to confirm this, he has not been quoted to have commended those that worked with him. It has been about him and what he did as governor. Maybe he is the all-knowing type that doesn’t see any good in the efforts of others other than himself. He is also one individual that wants all the glory. And to achieve this, he goes overboard in making outright insinuations and illogical conclusions.
I am not convinced this is what Nigerians need at this critical point of our existence. We want a president that would put issues in proper perspective and not give false hope to the people. We want a president who would recognize the efforts of others and give credit when necessary and not distort facts in a masturbatory drive for self-glory.
At this point, I want to encourage Nigerians to take the time to verify any gospel from Saint Peter Obi. He can’t continue to quote what happened in the Book of Jeremiah in Job. And he can’t also concoct events in his head and pass them on as reality.
We can’t attain any progress with a pathological liar as president. This is why Peter Obi remains a joke taken too far. It is my prayer that in the weeks and months ahead, Nigerians will see the game plan of Peter Obi. And also, we should expect more fallacies from his stable. Many have indeed been deceived. This is a shame.

Augustine is a political analyst based in Abuja.