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Goodbye, Virgin Nigeria; hello, Nigerian Eagle Airlines

By
Ikechi Uko, eTN Ambassador |
Sep 18, 2009

The controversial relationship between Virgin Atlantic and its erstwhile Nigeria counterpart Virgin Nigeria has finally came to an end on September 17 at a well attended press conference at the VIP lounge of the Lagos Airport where the new name of the airline as Nigerian Eagle Airlines with a complete change of logo was unveiled by the airline’s managing director, Dapo Olumide.

The famous Virgin Livery has been changed to a stylized eagle with the word Nigeria written a unique font. Mr. Olumide explained that in arriving at the name Nigerian Eagle Airlines, extensive research into Africa’s rich culture and heritage were painstakingly conducted by a team of researchers. He noted that the eagle is a bird that typifies strength and foresight and it is common among Africans irrespective of their cultural affiliations.

Mr. Olumide, who is the former managing director of one of Nigeria’s most successful Airline Aero contractor and who was recruited to save a dying airline, announced the new chief operating officer (COO) is an Ethiopian, Kinfe Kahssaye, who is obviously from Ethiopian Airlines, the airline’s new technical partner signed on to replace Virgin Atlantic airline. The post was formerly occupied by a seconded staff of Virgin Atlantic airline.

Nigerian Eagle Airlines’ chief commercial officer is Mr. Jimmy Kibati, a Kenyan. The choice of Africans as replacement of the old team is part of the new philosophy of the new management.

According to Mr. Olumide, the future of aviation in Africa lies on alliances as opposed to unhealthy competitions among airlines in the continent. “Nigerian Eagle Airlines is the first airline that has adopted the model by going into a landmark partnership with Ethiopian Airlines through the Technical Services Agreement (TSA) both airlines recently signed.”

He praised the new partner, Ethiopian Airlines, as being bigger (more than twice the fleet size and double the route network) and richer (four times more profitable) than Virgin Atlantic and among the top 10 airlines in the world.

Nigerian Eagle Airlines will concentrate on the regional routes with its 7 aircraft that includes B737s and Embraer 190s. It plans to go long-haul within 5 years.
The relationship with Virgin Atlantic collapsed when the Nigerian institutional owners decided that the unending losses must cease and hired Olumide, who had retired from Aero contractor after 25 years of service and joined a development bank AFC. After taking office, he fired a third of the staff, stopped all loss making long-haul flights, returned the unprofitable B767 and streamlined the operations of the airline. He also ceased the payment of huge royalties to the Richard Branson- owned Virgin Atlantic.

The process of separation led to media accusations of ill intensions and mismanagement before the arrival on the new airline as a way out of the clutches of Virgin Atlantic.

Already, plans for a private placement to inject additional operational funds are underway for Nigerian Eagle Airlines, which is 51 percent owned by Nigerian institutional investors and 49 percent by Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited.

It is expected that Mr. Branson will soon divest of his interest in the airline. He was invited by the former president of Nigeria to help set up a world-class airline after the collapse of Nigeria Airways. The airline he set up was not profitable and was running up huge debts and the majority shareholders wanted a change.

New Jersey: Short Hills, Hilton Short Hills Parkway – Shopping, Spa Time, and Top Notch Theatre.

New Jersey: Short Hills, Hilton Short Hills Parkway – Shopping, Spa Time, and Top Notch Theatre. Escape from the city or into the city, either way this sophisticated   urban resort-style hotel with AAA Four-Diamond rated hospitality is the ideal family getaway base for fun.

When hectic family and business schedules make it almost impossible to getaway yet a break is definitely appealing then Hilton Short Hills Parkway may be just the ticket. Quick and easy without the hassles associated with a full family vacation, the hotel offers comfortable elegant surroundings – comfortable and elegant with kids – right, you can bring the kids. Access to Manhattan is easy and access to fun stuff in the area even easier. If shopping is your family thing just fly in to Newark head for the hotel and then it’s a two-minute walk to upscale and awesome Short Hills Mall.

Accommodations: The Hotel features 304 well appointed rooms, including 37 deluxe suites meaning plenty of options for families. The comfortable space provides feel of a private studio apartment with French doors separating bedroom and living area. Upscale in-room amenities include Hilton Serenity Collection® Suite Dreams® bed with plush-top mattress for restful, refreshing sleep.  Comfortable down comforter and pillows and indulgent 250-thread count linens snuggle the sleeper in comfort and warmth. Each suite has both wireless and wired high-speed internet access for a fee; wall mounted 32″ HD/LCD television and a pullout sofa. Stay on the Executive Level with residence-style suites featuring nightly turndown service, along with access to the Executive Lounge, where guests will enjoy continental breakfast, evening hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Nice to know: Hilton Short Hills also has initiated a more eco-friendly “smoke-free” policy throughout the hotel.

Activities: The outdoor pool is open for use by guests from Memorial Day (end of May) to Labor Day (early September), weather permitting. The indoor pool is available for children ages 16 and younger daily after 6:30pm.

Make time for spa time. There are obvious benefits to a spa onsite. Hilton Short Hills is the location of first June Jacobs branded Spa Chakra offering guests tranquility and an opportunity to become re energized through a variety of signature spa offerings. Within the 15,500 square feet space relaxation and sheer luxury synergize to create an ultimate destination spa experience with more than 60 health and beauty therapies designed to nurture your skin, body, and spiritual well-being. Need to know: Spa guests must be 16 years of age or older to use spa facilities.

Value added: Guests may enjoy the complimentary shuttle service to The Mall at Short Hills – located directly across the street. In addition to private Town Car and shuttle van service, the concierge can arrange for transportation to Newark Liberty Airport and the Summit train station. Secured underground parking is also available for guests.
 
Discovery: Plan the perfect Northern New Jersey wedding celebration, commemorate an anniversary or celebrate a graduation with the help of a dedicated staff onsite. From a grand ballroom celebration to intimate family gathering, the expert planners have the skills and resources to make it look easy. Dance amid the opulence of the Grand Ballroom or enjoy the whimsical, fairy tale setting of the breezy tented pavilion.

Pay up or else, Ugandan government tells hotel group

By
Wolfgang H. Thome |
Aug 21, 2009

KAMPALA, Uganda (eTN) - The fallout of the Commonwealth Summit in late 2007 continues to make waves, both in political circles where members of parliament continue to press government for answers on contract awards and funds spent, but also for the business sector, from which government in turn is trying to recover money advanced ahead of guests arriving, to secure their accommodation.

The Imperial Hotel Group was, probably unfairly, singled out by the Ugandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs for long overdue refunds on accommodation payments advanced but not utilized. While government now says the rooms were not ready at the time for occupancy by visitors, the hotel in turn claims that the rooms booked and confirmed were ready but guests either failed to arrive or opted for cheaper accommodation on arrival, subsequently triggering no show and cancellations fees for the one week summit according to the hotel group’s terms and conditions.

With some US$1.6 million claimed by government, this matter may well head to court, while sources from within the hotel group saying they would vigorously defend themselves against the claims providing evidence of non arrivals of booked parties, lower numbers of guests from those delegations which had arrived. In particular, members of the media block booked at the Imperial Royale Hotel on arrival trying to bargain their room rates down and, failing to do so, walking out – attracting the very no show and cancellation fees the hotel now intends to offset against government’s prepayment.

Somali piracy and Islamic militancy reaches Australia

By
Wolfgang H. Thome, eTN Africa |
Aug 07, 2009

The recent arrests in Australia of several Somali-born Australian citizens once again demonstrate the global reach of this festering problem originating from the Horn of Africa. The entire east African region is under increasing threat by Islamic militants who congregated in the war-torn country, following in the footsteps of Afghanistan under the Taliban regime.

The piracy problem was long underestimated or played down, and the covert involvement of Eritrea in supplying arms, ammunition, and other supplies – no involvement of Eritrean forces in the conflict has been proven yet – has the alarm bells ringing with the African Union and the coalition partners based in Djibouti.

Earlier in the week, a German vessel being held hostage was released after a reported US$2.5+ million was dropped onto the ship from a light aircraft, and similar payoffs reportedly also helped to free other ships.

What is often overlooked, however, is the use of such money beyond the individual greed of the pirates. Much of the funds so extracted are rumored to find their way into the coffers of the militants to help them to buy arms, ammunition, and other supplies, beyond what is provided freely by their political godfathers and supporters, based in countries known to continue to sponsor and support terrorism.

A few weeks ago, German Special Forces were called back over emerging issues about rules of engagement, while they were already in the air towards their intended targets. These special commandos were reportedly well on the way to take the held ship by force and free the hostages before returning to their base inside Kenya.

Some participating nations with the coalition naval forces that are now patrolling the Indian Ocean, the Horn of Africa, and the Red Sea continue to operate under orders not to arrest pirates spotted unless they are fired upon, or only if the pirates are suspected to have captured a vessel operating under their own home flag.

It is time now to enter into a more robust forward defense against these pirates and terrorists, giving the naval forces clearer and more aggressive operating parameters, and effectively blockade Somalia and Eritrea to stop the flow of illegal arm shipments. At the same time, neighboring countries need logistical and intelligence support to secure their land borders with Somalia to halt the potential flow of terrorists into those countries where they could wreak havoc in revenge.

Ethiopia reacted some time ago to these threats against their national security and continues to play an important role in the fight against militants and terrorists, in spite of having withdrawn their initial fighting forces back into their own territory. Yet, they remain under attack, and it is understood, from usually well-informed sources, that they may re-enter the conflict, and if so, hopefully with an international mandate.

Uganda is already the largest contributor of troops for the AU “peace-keeping” mission, itself a misnomer considering that the Islamic militias are not at all interested in the type of peace the international community intends to propagate and for which purpose the AU sent forces in the first place.

Hence, Somalia could well become another Afghanistan in the making, and the sooner this is recognized, the better. East African economies are already said to have lost hundreds of millions of dollars as a result of piracy, and still the pirates enjoy safe havens in their hideouts along the coast line of the Indian Ocean.

How long can the world afford to just watch things from the sidelines before some serious action is taken against pirates and terrorists in Somalia? Does it really take another major successful terror attack in Europe, North America, Asia, or Australia? The Jakarta bombings should be the final wake-up call that the world continues to face a real and present danger, originating also from Somalia, and not just Afghanistan and their border regions with Pakistan or other known terrorist breeding grounds and hotbeds. The global anti-terror alliance is already present in Djibouti, and the time to act is now, not when it is too late. Eastern Africa, and the rest of the world, will be grateful, even if they don’t know it yet.

Maybe US State Secretary Hillary Clinton’s presence in Nairobi this week for the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA Summit will aid in discussing the Somalia issue with the regional leaders to come up with a better strategy and way forward. The hopes and aspirations for peace of tens of millions of east Africans depend on it.

East Africa Tourism Report

By Wolfgang H. Thome, eTN AfricaHILLARY CLINTON ARRIVES IN NAIROBI
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Kenya’s capital of Nairobi on Wednesday amid a media flurry of speculations on her “added” reason for the visit. Officially, she is heading a large delegation from the US, the US business community, and government representatives to attend the AGOA summit in Kenya, which will bring together public and private-sector participants from many African nations benefitting from the AGOA legislation. Some 2,000 participants are expected to gather in Nairobi for the meetings. At the same time, dire warnings from Washington and London reminded the Kenyan government and others in attendance that accountability and transparency, good governance, and best international practice are a MUST to assure continued economic and political cooperation. This may well be aimed at the Kenyan government, first and foremost, which has been dragging its feet over decisive action against the inciters and participants in the post-election violence a year ago.

There is also speculation that US Secretary Clinton may attend talks over the security situation at the Horn of Africa, where fighting on the ground between AU peace keepers, government troops, and Islamic militants has intensified in the recent past and where acts of piracy have greatly interfered with trade to and from eastern Africa.

CAA OWED OVER US$33 MILLION
Information has emerged that government agencies owe the Uganda Civil Aviation some 68.7 billion Uganda Shillings, while the CAA was compelled to borrow nearly 80 billion Uganda Shillings to carry out improvements and infrastructural developments at the country’s main airport and other aerodromes across the nation. Sources within the CAA, preferring anonymity, also talked about the UN’s operation at the international airport in Entebbe. The UN apparently pays no landing, navigational, or parking fees, in spite of such requests being made to the government, which apparently granted the UN the “freedom of the airport,” i.e., gratis use for setting up their main east-African supply base at the old airport in Entebbe. This information was likely made public in light of recent reports about having the international airport concessioned out to private management, a move which raised strong emotions in the public debate over the issue.

“THE EYE” AVAILABLE IN AUGUST & SEPTEMBER ON THE WEB
Uganda’s premier visitor guide for the next two months is now available on the web again, an alternative at least for those unable to get a hard copy. Those are distributed for free through hotels, lodges, travel agencies, restaurants, airline offices, and a range of other places, giving the latest updates of where to go, what to do, plus a whole range of other useful information like contact lists for all and sundry. Check out www.theeye.co.ug for more details - must read material for intending visitors to Uganda.

SHELL DROPS KISUMU AVIATION FUEL DELIVERY
Notice has been belatedly received in Uganda that Shell Kenya apparently has stopped the supply of aviation fuel across the lake in Kisumu. The airport there has been a convenient fuel-tech stop for general aviation flights dropping in to load on AVGAS for the next leg homebound to Entebbe across Lake Victoria or while flying further into Kenya or Tanzania.

SAFARI COMPANY GOES CARBON NEUTRAL
In a Ugandan first, the Entebbe-based Classic Africa Safaris has recently gone carbon neutral after purchasing carbon credits through the globally accredited Carbon Trading Bureau Uganda. This initiative covers not only the safari cars that are regularly on the road with clients from around the world, but also the carbon footprint of the company’s offices, workshops, and private residences. Congrats on this achievement go to Mel Gormley, CEO and principal owner of Classic Africa Safaris – the well-remembered and much-respected former chairperson of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators. Congrats also to their entire staff and board of directors. Well done indeed! Who is next?

2011 ELECTION DATES NOW AVAILABLE
March 13, 2011 will see Uganda go to the polls again to elect representatives on the local and national level, from local council representatives to parliament to presidential elections. The process, however, will start off much earlier with voter-registration updates, determining where the polling stations will be located, and training of staff of the Electoral Commission before launching the respective campaigns proper. Traditionally, an election period and campaign brings about more excitement in the country but has, in the past, been generally peaceful and orderly, as witnessed by this correspondent since the early 1990s. Intending visitors can be assured that their holiday enjoyment is most unlikely to be impacted in any way by the event.

PORINI SAFARI CAMPS RELEASE GAME NUMBER UPDATES
Gamewatcher Safaris and Porini Safari Camps have recently provided data on the lion population near their camps close to Amboseli National Park and the Masai Mara Game Reserve. The companies attributed the success to closer cooperation with the resident Masai herdsmen, which reduced wildlife-livestock conflicts substantially in areas where Porini operates camps. Several lion cubs were born recently and can now be seen by safari guest of the respective camps.

The company also launched a new product – lion research safaris – which mainly focuses on areas in northern Kenya’s Samburu National Park, the Buffalo Springs, and Shaba Game Reserves, which are split by the main road leading from Isiolo, further north to Marsabit and the Ethiopian border. Guests on such safaris, this column was told, have the opportunity to participate, to an extent, in research and educational activities, like radio tracking those lions fitted with collars, patrolling with and recording data gathered by scouts and rangers, investigating lion-livestock incidents, and helping in carnivore education presentations in local schools and community centers.

Porini Safari Camps are renowned for their efforts to preserve bio diversity and improve community relations through the establishment of wildlife conservancies, revenue sharing schemes, employment, and other related incentives. Visit www.porini.com for more information.

EAST AFRICAN CLASSIC SAFARI RALLY FOR NOVEMBER
Kenya Airways has once again stepped in and became the major sponsor of this motor sport event, which takes place every few years and traverses a different route every time across Kenya and other parts of east Africa. The rally brings together the big names of rally driving of yesteryear and, of course, features the “classic” rally cars going back to the 60s and 70s, when the main Safari Rally was still on the annual world championship calendar. Check this column in the coming weeks for more information about the event.

RIFT VALLEY LAKES UNDER THREAT
The Kenyan rift valley lakes, most notably Lakes Naivasha and Nakuru, reportedly keep losing size as a result of massive deforestation in the main water catchment area of Mau Forest, over which a major political row and controversy has erupted. Several of Lake Nakuru’s tributaries have started to dry up, partly as a result of the drought, which makes communities living along the river banks take out more and more water for domestic and agricultural use, while at the same time the water discharged from the springs and smaller streamlets has also greatly shrunk. Lake Baringo is also said to be affected, all three of the lakes being major tourism attractions, besides the other well-known lakes of Elementaita and Bogoria. Rising average temperatures are also blamed for increased evaporation of water from the lakes, and in the absence of heavy rainfall, which might fill up the lakes, no relief is in sight any time soon until the next long rains later in the year.

Kenya has, in the recent past, also shut down at least one of their hydro-electric plants owing to low water levels in the dam. Famine is also said to be threatening portions of the country – of eastern Africa – as a result of severe drought conditions in marginal areas.

POWER RATIONING HITS KENYAN HOUSEHOLDS AGAIN
In light of the ongoing drought condition in many parts of eastern Africa, the Kenyan power company has announced that power rationing, in local lingo called “load shedding,” has resumed. Priority will be given initially to hospitals, public institutions, industry, and manufacturing at the expense of “ordinary” consumers, to at least minimize the economic impact of the drastic measure. Residential areas can now expect to have at least two days a week without power, undoubtedly leading to a fresh run on inverter systems and back-up generators to keep fridges and lights working at least for some hours during such days.

Like done in Uganda two years ago, the Kenyan government is also considering the introduction and distribution of energy-saving tube bulbs, replacing the conventional light bulbs, a measure expected to save up to 50 MW across the country. Until then, however – which is when the rains come and restore water levels in the dams – expensive thermal energy will have to supplement production in Kenya, causing the cost of electricity undoubtedly to rise once again. Water levels in some of the dams are reportedly at a half century low, and unless the next rainy season produces above average rainfalls, the situation may go from bad to worse.

Meanwhile it was learned in Uganda that the Bujagali hydro-electric dam is not expected to begin generating electricity by late 2010. The projected start date has now been pushed into the second half of 2011, causing much speculation, as the company has hyped for a long time now how very much they are within their building time frame. Watch this space for updates.

WEBCAM WEATHER REPORTING SYSTEM GOES “LIVE”
One of the greatest problems with aviation in Kenya is the lack of accurate meteorological data and weather forecasting. A new system being actively pursued by the Aero Club and a number of cooperative aviation enthusiasts and sponsors is a network of “webcams” placed strategically throughout Kenya.

The photographs taken by the webcams are updated every few minutes and online users can look at the latest weather picture in the general area to which they are flying. The following webcam photos are now operating and publicly available on the Internet or 3G Mobile Phone: Kijabe-Rift Valley, Wilson Airport-Aero Club of East Africa, Ngong Hills from Langata, Lamu, and Kilimanjaro-Kampi ya Kanzi.

A webcam at Nyeri should be up and running later this week and more are coming. Bookmark www.kenyawebcam.com as the main page for all Kenyan webcams. You can also use the link on the Aero Club website www.aeroclubea.net. Check it out and tell all pilots. Your suggestions for positioning additional webcams in strategic places are welcome.

Some further information became available from the venerable Harro about the forthcoming Kenya Navex Air Rally to be held in October of this year. The event is open for entries from all corners of the world, as long as participants register in time and visit Kenya with their own planes in good time for the air rally.

AERO CLUB PLANS NAVEX AIR RALLY IN OCTOBER
Plans are well underway for the 2009 edition of the Annual Navex – the air rally in which the skills of pilots and navigators are tested to the utmost. Participating aircraft are starting the rally at Orly Airpark on Friday, October 9, 2009. They are expected to fly on a given track, on time, and within 250 meters of center line. Secret marshals are distributed throughout the route to verify times when the aircraft flew over and the accuracy. Penalty points are given for any errors, 360 degree turns are forbidden, and GPS is not allowed. The day’s route of about 200 miles will lead north, into the Laikipia area, ending in the afternoon at Ol Malo Lodge where the Francombe family will host the competitors and marshals. Ol Malo is one of the top lodges in Kenya.

Saturday, October 11, is a fun day during which competitors will amuse themselves with parachute jumps, aerobatics displays, spot-landing competitions, and other aerial activities. Then, on Sunday October 12, the air rally will continue back to Nairobi. It is hoped that all private aircraft operators, flying schools, and charter companies will provide at least one or two entries. Please circle your calendars for this aviation delicacy of 2009. Entry fees will be announced shortly, while the team of Dean Hardisty, Ashif Lalani, and Alex Galley will all use their combined powers of connivance to design a route that will put even the most seasoned air rally aficionados off track.

LIGHT AIRCRAFT CRASHES INTO NAIROBI HOUSING ESTATE
Hot on the heels of complaints by aviation experts about the increasing build up in the approach and take-off path of Wilson Airport, came news that a small light aircraft crashed into the “High Rise” estate in Nairobi, killing the pilot on impact and leaving reportedly three passengers injured. No information was immediately available if any persons on the ground were injured when the plane crashed, although a fire apparently broke out at the crash site, later put out by the fire brigade.

Sources from Nairobi speak of a flight out of Wilson Airport for the purpose of taking aerial photographs or taking film footage of parts of Nairobi. The plane apparently came down when attempting to return to Wilson Airport as it came down too low.

This is the second such light aircraft incident within a few weeks, after most recently a two-seater plane crashed when landing in Kiwayu along the Indian Ocean beaches.

INVESTORS FIRE BACK AT TRUSTEES
Hotel owners on Tanzania’s Mafia Island vowed not to stop their campaign against an increase in fees, imposed earlier in the year for visits to the marine reserves. The trustees had doubled the entrance fees charged to visitors, which the investors opposed in view of the present global economic and financial crisis. When faced with the constructive criticism, the trustees in turn tried to smear the credibility of the resort owners through a blanket accusation that “some hotel owners evade payment of user fees.” This raised the temperature of the debate instantly, and as one resort owner told this column, “Let the trustees produce evidence to this unfounded allegation and take whomever to court and prosecute,” then added, “but otherwise stop smearing our names – is this the partnership they talk about? Doubling fees right now is the wrong way; everyone has started lowering prices, Visa fees have been slashed, and those guys think this is the time to double fees – let them learn about timing. When tourism [has] picked up again, let’s talk about it then, but not now.”

Such public spats, while not unprecedented, are, of course, not helpful to promote tourism to the island, or the country as a whole, and a meeting between the two parties appears the best way forward right now, rather than engaging in public finger pointing and making accusations of profiteering towards one party and incompetence towards the other.

NEW HOPE FOR AIR TANZANIA
The ailing national airline of Tanzania, long overtaken by their private sector competitors like Precision Air and of late Fly540 (T), may have a ray of hope coming across the distant horizon. News broke that the government was still committed to signing a deal with a Chinese company. Initially that was to have taken place over a year ago, but the emerging global economic and financial crisis scuttled that opportunity at the time. With recovery now emerging for the global economy, the deal seems back on the table to restructure the airline, rebrand it, and kick-start operations with as many as 9 aircraft to counter the advance of other airlines on both domestic and regional routes. Accumulated losses and capital requirements to achieve a full turnaround are estimated to be in the half billion US dollar region – not a mean price for any potential suitor. Up to 49 percent shares are available to foreign investors, while the rest must, under Tanzanian law and aviation regulations, remain in Tanzanian hands to qualify as a Tanzanian airline.

NO BAIL FOR IVORY SMUGGLING SUSPECTS
Six accused were denied bail earlier in the week when a magistrate of a Dar es Salaam court told them it lacked jurisdiction to entertain the application and told the suspects to make an application in the High Court, as the crime they were charged with was both substantial and fell under the Economics Crime Act. The six were also charged with illegal dealings in game trophies without a license. Good news for the conservation fraternity!

RWANDA MOVES TO HARMONIZE AVIATION LEGISLATION
In a move to further align relevant legislation with the rest of the east African member states, the Rwandan cabinet, during the week, agreed on new civil aviation legislation, which is now in line with the respective protocols agreed by the East African Community. The new legislation is expected to be tabled before parliament for approval, which is currently in recess until early October.

RDB/ORTPN RELEASES DATA
Figures availed by the Rwanda Office for Tourism and National Parks, which is part of the Rwanda Development Board, show that nearly 440,000 visitors came to Rwanda in the first quarter of 2009, a 7 percent increase over 2008. This is all the more remarkable as the global economic and financial crisis has thrown a spanner into the world-wide tourism industry and speaks volumes about Rwanda’s efforts to attract more visitors to the country. Hence, in terms of improving the tourism arrivals, Rwanda has taken the lead across eastern Africa. Business visitors appear to be the biggest segment, closely followed by visiting friends and relatives, dedicated holiday visitors, and others. Well done indeed.

RWANDAIR OFFERS SPECIAL EXHIBITION FARES
Information received from the Rwandan national airline indicates that they will offer special fares throughout the year whenever exhibiting at trade shows in order to attract more visitors to Rwanda. The fares need to be booked on site and paid for right away, but besides this, only a few other terms and conditions apply. Look up www.rwandair.com for more information.

RWANDA PARTNERS WITH STARBUCKS
The US-based global coffeehouse company, already using Rwandan quality coffee in their outlets, has signed a further partnership agreement with textile manufacturers. Soon to be found in the coffee shops across the United States will be cotton bags and other fabrics such as t-shirts for sale, again under a fair trade agreement, which gives cotton farmers and workers in the textile industry added benefits. Rwanda is presently the home of the only Starbucks office on the African continent and is aimed at furthering trade links, influencing branding and marketing, and most importantly, ascertaining consistently good-quality products reaching the global markets. Now, if every Starbucks customer could see, while in the shop, some DVD presentations about the natural wonders of Rwanda and the whole of Eastern Africa, might that then entice a couple of ten thousand more visitors? While waiting for this development, well done in the meantime!

RWANDA TRAINS TRAINERS FOR ECOTOURISM
Information was received earlier in the week from Kigali that 17 future trainers have started a course about ecotourism planning and wetland management at the Kitabi College for Conservation and Environmental Management. During the month-long course, participants will hear from a variety of experts in environmental management on how best to counter a deteriorating environment and restore it to best serve its intended purpose. Some 10 percent of the country is considered to be wetlands and needs extra protection in view of the growing population pressures. Once graduated, the course participants are expected to be deployed to sensitive areas to begin their work in earnest.

CLEAN UP COMING FOR NYABARONGO RIVER
The Nyabarongo River, a major tributary to the Kagera River, which empties into Lake Victoria, is due for a major cleanup operation, according to information given by the Rwanda Environment Management Authority. Funding is provided by the United Nations Development Program, and several hundred young people are expected to assist in the operation. Over 40 kilometers of river banks will be re-cultivated with bamboo and reeds to improve soil retention, while stricter measures against uncontrolled discharge of waste water into the river will also be enforced. The overall cost is expected to reach US$6 million.

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