Thursday - July 04, 2013

Barack Obama pledges energy cash to light up Africa’s darkness.

Barack Obama pledges energy cash to light up Africa’s darkness

US President promises funding to provide ‘the energy to lift people out of poverty’ by doubling Africans’ access to electricity
US President Barack Obama finally found a way to illuminate a so-far underwhelming tour of Africa tonight with a promise to double Africans’ access to electricity. In an emotional address to students at the University of Cape Town he promised “a light where currently there is darkness”.

Mr Obama said his government would provide $7bn (£4.6bn) in public funding, as well as $9bn from the US private sector, for the “power Africa” initiative. He also announced that the US would be inviting African heads of state to a summit in Washington next year to address continental issues: “I’m calling for America to up our game when it comes to Africa,” he said, promising to move beyond aid to a “new model of partnership”.

Fewer than a third of households in sub-Saharan Africa have electricity, according to the World Bank. In rural areas that number falls to one in 10. Africa accounts for more than a sixth of the world’s population, but generates only 4 per cent of global electricity.

Gee my heart bleeds.

Sometime last year or maybe it was early in this, I snail mailed Drew a story from a magazine with regard to aid in that part of the world.  I don’t think either of us posted the story, but it would have fit in here very well.

Part of the article dealt with the Chinese building infrastructure and bringing in supplies etc. However, unlike the soft hearted and self delusional westerners, the materials and building sites are not guarded by local villagers.  The Chinese are far smarter than that and in fact, have built gated communities for their workers. Who are ALL Chinese. Especially the guards.  That’s because they know what the westerners know, but won’t turn a blind eye to local theft.  And since many Africans have a slightly different view of the work ethic and have proved to the Chinese they are not entirely reliable, the work crews are Chinese.

The article went on to describe how one village without proper water facilities and sewerage drains, were digging up the pipes almost as soon as they were put in, and sold on the black market.  These were the pipes and other materials shipped in under aid programs for Africa.

So I read this story and wonder if perhaps there may have been the supplies to install the electric, but somehow the goods fell off the back of the truck. 

Meanwhile, there are folks who just can not help but pitch in and help Africans by adopting the latest fashion accessory.  You simply must have one my dear. Why it’s the done thing and goes well with that dress.

Naturally, there aren’t any white babies available who might be in need. Heck, what’s the big deal adopting a white kid, when taking on a black one confirms your liberalism for all to see.  And adopting a white baby is soooo last year.  Nobody will notice you dear.

See next post.

Posted by peiper     on 07/04/2013 at 09:16 AM   
Filed Under: • Africa •  
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