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However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to U.N. documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Guterres warned in February that due to the financial crisis in Lebanon, the government\u2019s contribution was uncertain and warned the court may not be able to continue its work after the first quarter of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to U.N. documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The U.N. extended the mandate of the tribunal from March 1, 2021, for two years or sooner if the remaining cases were completed or funding ran out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres warned in February that due to the financial crisis in Lebanon, the government\u2019s contribution was uncertain and warned the court may not be able to continue its work after the first quarter of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to U.N. documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\u201eThe Special Tribunal for Lebanon is in a very concerning financial position,\u201c court spokeswoman Wajed Ramadan told Reuters. \u201eNo decision has yet been taken on judicial proceedings and there are intense fundraising efforts going on to find a solution,\u201c she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.N. extended the mandate of the tribunal from March 1, 2021, for two years or sooner if the remaining cases were completed or funding ran out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres warned in February that due to the financial crisis in Lebanon, the government\u2019s contribution was uncertain and warned the court may not be able to continue its work after the first quarter of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to U.N. documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Created by a 2007 U.N. Security Council resolution and opened in 2009, the tribunal\u2019s budget last year was 55 million euros ($67 million) with Lebanon footing 49% of the bill and foreign donors and the U.N. members making up the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Special Tribunal for Lebanon is in a very concerning financial position,\u201c court spokeswoman Wajed Ramadan told Reuters. \u201eNo decision has yet been taken on judicial proceedings and there are intense fundraising efforts going on to find a solution,\u201c she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.N. extended the mandate of the tribunal from March 1, 2021, for two years or sooner if the remaining cases were completed or funding ran out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres warned in February that due to the financial crisis in Lebanon, the government\u2019s contribution was uncertain and warned the court may not be able to continue its work after the first quarter of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to U.N. documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\u201eLebanon needs full accountability,\u201c he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Created by a 2007 U.N. Security Council resolution and opened in 2009, the tribunal\u2019s budget last year was 55 million euros ($67 million) with Lebanon footing 49% of the bill and foreign donors and the U.N. members making up the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Special Tribunal for Lebanon is in a very concerning financial position,\u201c court spokeswoman Wajed Ramadan told Reuters. \u201eNo decision has yet been taken on judicial proceedings and there are intense fundraising efforts going on to find a solution,\u201c she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.N. extended the mandate of the tribunal from March 1, 2021, for two years or sooner if the remaining cases were completed or funding ran out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres warned in February that due to the financial crisis in Lebanon, the government\u2019s contribution was uncertain and warned the court may not be able to continue its work after the first quarter of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to U.N. documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
It would be \u201ea disappointment for the victims of the connected cases and the victims of Lebanon\u201c, he said, appealing for international funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eLebanon needs full accountability,\u201c he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Created by a 2007 U.N. Security Council resolution and opened in 2009, the tribunal\u2019s budget last year was 55 million euros ($67 million) with Lebanon footing 49% of the bill and foreign donors and the U.N. members making up the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Special Tribunal for Lebanon is in a very concerning financial position,\u201c court spokeswoman Wajed Ramadan told Reuters. \u201eNo decision has yet been taken on judicial proceedings and there are intense fundraising efforts going on to find a solution,\u201c she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.N. extended the mandate of the tribunal from March 1, 2021, for two years or sooner if the remaining cases were completed or funding ran out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres warned in February that due to the financial crisis in Lebanon, the government\u2019s contribution was uncertain and warned the court may not be able to continue its work after the first quarter of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to U.N. documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Scrapping a new trial would not only harm victims who waited 17 years for the case to come to court, but would undermine accountability for crimes in Lebanon in general, Jurdi said, adding that a letter had been sent to the U.N. expressing concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It would be \u201ea disappointment for the victims of the connected cases and the victims of Lebanon\u201c, he said, appealing for international funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eLebanon needs full accountability,\u201c he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Created by a 2007 U.N. Security Council resolution and opened in 2009, the tribunal\u2019s budget last year was 55 million euros ($67 million) with Lebanon footing 49% of the bill and foreign donors and the U.N. members making up the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Special Tribunal for Lebanon is in a very concerning financial position,\u201c court spokeswoman Wajed Ramadan told Reuters. \u201eNo decision has yet been taken on judicial proceedings and there are intense fundraising efforts going on to find a solution,\u201c she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.N. extended the mandate of the tribunal from March 1, 2021, for two years or sooner if the remaining cases were completed or funding ran out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres warned in February that due to the financial crisis in Lebanon, the government\u2019s contribution was uncertain and warned the court may not be able to continue its work after the first quarter of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to U.N. documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\u201eIf you abort the tribunal, if you abort this case, you are giving a free gift to the perpetrators and to those who do not want justice to take place,\u201c Nidal Jurdi, a lawyer for the victims in the second case, told Reuters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scrapping a new trial would not only harm victims who waited 17 years for the case to come to court, but would undermine accountability for crimes in Lebanon in general, Jurdi said, adding that a letter had been sent to the U.N. expressing concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It would be \u201ea disappointment for the victims of the connected cases and the victims of Lebanon\u201c, he said, appealing for international funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eLebanon needs full accountability,\u201c he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Created by a 2007 U.N. Security Council resolution and opened in 2009, the tribunal\u2019s budget last year was 55 million euros ($67 million) with Lebanon footing 49% of the bill and foreign donors and the U.N. members making up the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Special Tribunal for Lebanon is in a very concerning financial position,\u201c court spokeswoman Wajed Ramadan told Reuters. \u201eNo decision has yet been taken on judicial proceedings and there are intense fundraising efforts going on to find a solution,\u201c she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.N. extended the mandate of the tribunal from March 1, 2021, for two years or sooner if the remaining cases were completed or funding ran out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres warned in February that due to the financial crisis in Lebanon, the government\u2019s contribution was uncertain and warned the court may not be able to continue its work after the first quarter of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to U.N. documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
FINANCES \u201eVERY CONCERNING\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eIf you abort the tribunal, if you abort this case, you are giving a free gift to the perpetrators and to those who do not want justice to take place,\u201c Nidal Jurdi, a lawyer for the victims in the second case, told Reuters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scrapping a new trial would not only harm victims who waited 17 years for the case to come to court, but would undermine accountability for crimes in Lebanon in general, Jurdi said, adding that a letter had been sent to the U.N. expressing concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It would be \u201ea disappointment for the victims of the connected cases and the victims of Lebanon\u201c, he said, appealing for international funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eLebanon needs full accountability,\u201c he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Created by a 2007 U.N. Security Council resolution and opened in 2009, the tribunal\u2019s budget last year was 55 million euros ($67 million) with Lebanon footing 49% of the bill and foreign donors and the U.N. members making up the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Special Tribunal for Lebanon is in a very concerning financial position,\u201c court spokeswoman Wajed Ramadan told Reuters. \u201eNo decision has yet been taken on judicial proceedings and there are intense fundraising efforts going on to find a solution,\u201c she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.N. extended the mandate of the tribunal from March 1, 2021, for two years or sooner if the remaining cases were completed or funding ran out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres warned in February that due to the financial crisis in Lebanon, the government\u2019s contribution was uncertain and warned the court may not be able to continue its work after the first quarter of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to U.N. documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The funding shortfall comes as Lebanon faces its worst turmoil since Hariri\u2019s assassination. The country is deeply polarized between supporters of Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah and its allies and supporters of Hariri\u2019s son, prime minister designate Saad al-Hariri, who declined to comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FINANCES \u201eVERY CONCERNING\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eIf you abort the tribunal, if you abort this case, you are giving a free gift to the perpetrators and to those who do not want justice to take place,\u201c Nidal Jurdi, a lawyer for the victims in the second case, told Reuters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scrapping a new trial would not only harm victims who waited 17 years for the case to come to court, but would undermine accountability for crimes in Lebanon in general, Jurdi said, adding that a letter had been sent to the U.N. expressing concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It would be \u201ea disappointment for the victims of the connected cases and the victims of Lebanon\u201c, he said, appealing for international funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eLebanon needs full accountability,\u201c he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Created by a 2007 U.N. Security Council resolution and opened in 2009, the tribunal\u2019s budget last year was 55 million euros ($67 million) with Lebanon footing 49% of the bill and foreign donors and the U.N. members making up the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Special Tribunal for Lebanon is in a very concerning financial position,\u201c court spokeswoman Wajed Ramadan told Reuters. \u201eNo decision has yet been taken on judicial proceedings and there are intense fundraising efforts going on to find a solution,\u201c she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.N. extended the mandate of the tribunal from March 1, 2021, for two years or sooner if the remaining cases were completed or funding ran out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres warned in February that due to the financial crisis in Lebanon, the government\u2019s contribution was uncertain and warned the court may not be able to continue its work after the first quarter of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to U.N. documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\u201eThe Secretary-General continues to urge member states and the international community for voluntary contributions in order to secure the funds required to support the independent judicial proceedings that remain before the tribunal,\u201c U.N. Deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The funding shortfall comes as Lebanon faces its worst turmoil since Hariri\u2019s assassination. The country is deeply polarized between supporters of Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah and its allies and supporters of Hariri\u2019s son, prime minister designate Saad al-Hariri, who declined to comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FINANCES \u201eVERY CONCERNING\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eIf you abort the tribunal, if you abort this case, you are giving a free gift to the perpetrators and to those who do not want justice to take place,\u201c Nidal Jurdi, a lawyer for the victims in the second case, told Reuters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scrapping a new trial would not only harm victims who waited 17 years for the case to come to court, but would undermine accountability for crimes in Lebanon in general, Jurdi said, adding that a letter had been sent to the U.N. expressing concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It would be \u201ea disappointment for the victims of the connected cases and the victims of Lebanon\u201c, he said, appealing for international funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eLebanon needs full accountability,\u201c he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Created by a 2007 U.N. Security Council resolution and opened in 2009, the tribunal\u2019s budget last year was 55 million euros ($67 million) with Lebanon footing 49% of the bill and foreign donors and the U.N. members making up the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Special Tribunal for Lebanon is in a very concerning financial position,\u201c court spokeswoman Wajed Ramadan told Reuters. \u201eNo decision has yet been taken on judicial proceedings and there are intense fundraising efforts going on to find a solution,\u201c she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.N. extended the mandate of the tribunal from March 1, 2021, for two years or sooner if the remaining cases were completed or funding ran out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres warned in February that due to the financial crisis in Lebanon, the government\u2019s contribution was uncertain and warned the court may not be able to continue its work after the first quarter of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to U.N. documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday said he was aware of the court\u2019s financial problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Secretary-General continues to urge member states and the international community for voluntary contributions in order to secure the funds required to support the independent judicial proceedings that remain before the tribunal,\u201c U.N. Deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The funding shortfall comes as Lebanon faces its worst turmoil since Hariri\u2019s assassination. The country is deeply polarized between supporters of Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah and its allies and supporters of Hariri\u2019s son, prime minister designate Saad al-Hariri, who declined to comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FINANCES \u201eVERY CONCERNING\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eIf you abort the tribunal, if you abort this case, you are giving a free gift to the perpetrators and to those who do not want justice to take place,\u201c Nidal Jurdi, a lawyer for the victims in the second case, told Reuters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scrapping a new trial would not only harm victims who waited 17 years for the case to come to court, but would undermine accountability for crimes in Lebanon in general, Jurdi said, adding that a letter had been sent to the U.N. expressing concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It would be \u201ea disappointment for the victims of the connected cases and the victims of Lebanon\u201c, he said, appealing for international funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eLebanon needs full accountability,\u201c he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Created by a 2007 U.N. Security Council resolution and opened in 2009, the tribunal\u2019s budget last year was 55 million euros ($67 million) with Lebanon footing 49% of the bill and foreign donors and the U.N. members making up the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Special Tribunal for Lebanon is in a very concerning financial position,\u201c court spokeswoman Wajed Ramadan told Reuters. \u201eNo decision has yet been taken on judicial proceedings and there are intense fundraising efforts going on to find a solution,\u201c she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.N. extended the mandate of the tribunal from March 1, 2021, for two years or sooner if the remaining cases were completed or funding ran out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres warned in February that due to the financial crisis in Lebanon, the government\u2019s contribution was uncertain and warned the court may not be able to continue its work after the first quarter of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to U.N. documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The court had been scheduled to start a second trial on June 16 against Ayyash, who is accused of another assassination and attacks against Lebanese politicians in 2004 and 2005 in the run-up to the Hariri bombing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday said he was aware of the court\u2019s financial problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Secretary-General continues to urge member states and the international community for voluntary contributions in order to secure the funds required to support the independent judicial proceedings that remain before the tribunal,\u201c U.N. Deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The funding shortfall comes as Lebanon faces its worst turmoil since Hariri\u2019s assassination. The country is deeply polarized between supporters of Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah and its allies and supporters of Hariri\u2019s son, prime minister designate Saad al-Hariri, who declined to comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FINANCES \u201eVERY CONCERNING\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eIf you abort the tribunal, if you abort this case, you are giving a free gift to the perpetrators and to those who do not want justice to take place,\u201c Nidal Jurdi, a lawyer for the victims in the second case, told Reuters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scrapping a new trial would not only harm victims who waited 17 years for the case to come to court, but would undermine accountability for crimes in Lebanon in general, Jurdi said, adding that a letter had been sent to the U.N. expressing concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It would be \u201ea disappointment for the victims of the connected cases and the victims of Lebanon\u201c, he said, appealing for international funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eLebanon needs full accountability,\u201c he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Created by a 2007 U.N. Security Council resolution and opened in 2009, the tribunal\u2019s budget last year was 55 million euros ($67 million) with Lebanon footing 49% of the bill and foreign donors and the U.N. members making up the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Special Tribunal for Lebanon is in a very concerning financial position,\u201c court spokeswoman Wajed Ramadan told Reuters. \u201eNo decision has yet been taken on judicial proceedings and there are intense fundraising efforts going on to find a solution,\u201c she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.N. extended the mandate of the tribunal from March 1, 2021, for two years or sooner if the remaining cases were completed or funding ran out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres warned in February that due to the financial crisis in Lebanon, the government\u2019s contribution was uncertain and warned the court may not be able to continue its work after the first quarter of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to U.N. documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Ayyash was sentenced in absentia to five life terms in prison, while three alleged accomplices were acquitted due to insufficient evidence. read more <\/a>. Both sides have appealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The court had been scheduled to start a second trial on June 16 against Ayyash, who is accused of another assassination and attacks against Lebanese politicians in 2004 and 2005 in the run-up to the Hariri bombing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday said he was aware of the court\u2019s financial problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Secretary-General continues to urge member states and the international community for voluntary contributions in order to secure the funds required to support the independent judicial proceedings that remain before the tribunal,\u201c U.N. Deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The funding shortfall comes as Lebanon faces its worst turmoil since Hariri\u2019s assassination. The country is deeply polarized between supporters of Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah and its allies and supporters of Hariri\u2019s son, prime minister designate Saad al-Hariri, who declined to comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FINANCES \u201eVERY CONCERNING\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eIf you abort the tribunal, if you abort this case, you are giving a free gift to the perpetrators and to those who do not want justice to take place,\u201c Nidal Jurdi, a lawyer for the victims in the second case, told Reuters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scrapping a new trial would not only harm victims who waited 17 years for the case to come to court, but would undermine accountability for crimes in Lebanon in general, Jurdi said, adding that a letter had been sent to the U.N. expressing concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It would be \u201ea disappointment for the victims of the connected cases and the victims of Lebanon\u201c, he said, appealing for international funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eLebanon needs full accountability,\u201c he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Created by a 2007 U.N. Security Council resolution and opened in 2009, the tribunal\u2019s budget last year was 55 million euros ($67 million) with Lebanon footing 49% of the bill and foreign donors and the U.N. members making up the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Special Tribunal for Lebanon is in a very concerning financial position,\u201c court spokeswoman Wajed Ramadan told Reuters. \u201eNo decision has yet been taken on judicial proceedings and there are intense fundraising efforts going on to find a solution,\u201c she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.N. extended the mandate of the tribunal from March 1, 2021, for two years or sooner if the remaining cases were completed or funding ran out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres warned in February that due to the financial crisis in Lebanon, the government\u2019s contribution was uncertain and warned the court may not be able to continue its work after the first quarter of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to U.N. documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Last year the U.N. Special Tribunal for Lebanon, located outside of The Hague, convicted former Hezbollah member Salim Jamil Ayyash for the bombing that killed Hariri and 21 others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ayyash was sentenced in absentia to five life terms in prison, while three alleged accomplices were acquitted due to insufficient evidence. read more <\/a>. Both sides have appealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The court had been scheduled to start a second trial on June 16 against Ayyash, who is accused of another assassination and attacks against Lebanese politicians in 2004 and 2005 in the run-up to the Hariri bombing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday said he was aware of the court\u2019s financial problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Secretary-General continues to urge member states and the international community for voluntary contributions in order to secure the funds required to support the independent judicial proceedings that remain before the tribunal,\u201c U.N. Deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The funding shortfall comes as Lebanon faces its worst turmoil since Hariri\u2019s assassination. The country is deeply polarized between supporters of Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah and its allies and supporters of Hariri\u2019s son, prime minister designate Saad al-Hariri, who declined to comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FINANCES \u201eVERY CONCERNING\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eIf you abort the tribunal, if you abort this case, you are giving a free gift to the perpetrators and to those who do not want justice to take place,\u201c Nidal Jurdi, a lawyer for the victims in the second case, told Reuters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scrapping a new trial would not only harm victims who waited 17 years for the case to come to court, but would undermine accountability for crimes in Lebanon in general, Jurdi said, adding that a letter had been sent to the U.N. expressing concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It would be \u201ea disappointment for the victims of the connected cases and the victims of Lebanon\u201c, he said, appealing for international funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eLebanon needs full accountability,\u201c he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Created by a 2007 U.N. Security Council resolution and opened in 2009, the tribunal\u2019s budget last year was 55 million euros ($67 million) with Lebanon footing 49% of the bill and foreign donors and the U.N. members making up the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Special Tribunal for Lebanon is in a very concerning financial position,\u201c court spokeswoman Wajed Ramadan told Reuters. \u201eNo decision has yet been taken on judicial proceedings and there are intense fundraising efforts going on to find a solution,\u201c she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.N. extended the mandate of the tribunal from March 1, 2021, for two years or sooner if the remaining cases were completed or funding ran out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres warned in February that due to the financial crisis in Lebanon, the government\u2019s contribution was uncertain and warned the court may not be able to continue its work after the first quarter of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to U.N. documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Closing the tribunal would dash the hopes of families of victims in the Hariri murder and other attacks, but also those demanding that a U.N. tribunal bring to justice those responsible for the Beirut port blast last August that killed 200 and injured 6,500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Last year the U.N. Special Tribunal for Lebanon, located outside of The Hague, convicted former Hezbollah member Salim Jamil Ayyash for the bombing that killed Hariri and 21 others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ayyash was sentenced in absentia to five life terms in prison, while three alleged accomplices were acquitted due to insufficient evidence. read more <\/a>. Both sides have appealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The court had been scheduled to start a second trial on June 16 against Ayyash, who is accused of another assassination and attacks against Lebanese politicians in 2004 and 2005 in the run-up to the Hariri bombing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday said he was aware of the court\u2019s financial problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Secretary-General continues to urge member states and the international community for voluntary contributions in order to secure the funds required to support the independent judicial proceedings that remain before the tribunal,\u201c U.N. Deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The funding shortfall comes as Lebanon faces its worst turmoil since Hariri\u2019s assassination. The country is deeply polarized between supporters of Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah and its allies and supporters of Hariri\u2019s son, prime minister designate Saad al-Hariri, who declined to comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FINANCES \u201eVERY CONCERNING\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eIf you abort the tribunal, if you abort this case, you are giving a free gift to the perpetrators and to those who do not want justice to take place,\u201c Nidal Jurdi, a lawyer for the victims in the second case, told Reuters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scrapping a new trial would not only harm victims who waited 17 years for the case to come to court, but would undermine accountability for crimes in Lebanon in general, Jurdi said, adding that a letter had been sent to the U.N. expressing concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It would be \u201ea disappointment for the victims of the connected cases and the victims of Lebanon\u201c, he said, appealing for international funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eLebanon needs full accountability,\u201c he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Created by a 2007 U.N. Security Council resolution and opened in 2009, the tribunal\u2019s budget last year was 55 million euros ($67 million) with Lebanon footing 49% of the bill and foreign donors and the U.N. members making up the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Special Tribunal for Lebanon is in a very concerning financial position,\u201c court spokeswoman Wajed Ramadan told Reuters. \u201eNo decision has yet been taken on judicial proceedings and there are intense fundraising efforts going on to find a solution,\u201c she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.N. extended the mandate of the tribunal from March 1, 2021, for two years or sooner if the remaining cases were completed or funding ran out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres warned in February that due to the financial crisis in Lebanon, the government\u2019s contribution was uncertain and warned the court may not be able to continue its work after the first quarter of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to U.N. documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
A U.N. tribunal set up to prosecute those behind the 2005 assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has run out of funding amid Lebanon\u2019s economic and political crisis, threatening plans for future trials, people involved in the process said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Closing the tribunal would dash the hopes of families of victims in the Hariri murder and other attacks, but also those demanding that a U.N. tribunal bring to justice those responsible for the Beirut port blast last August that killed 200 and injured 6,500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Last year the U.N. Special Tribunal for Lebanon, located outside of The Hague, convicted former Hezbollah member Salim Jamil Ayyash for the bombing that killed Hariri and 21 others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ayyash was sentenced in absentia to five life terms in prison, while three alleged accomplices were acquitted due to insufficient evidence. read more <\/a>. Both sides have appealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The court had been scheduled to start a second trial on June 16 against Ayyash, who is accused of another assassination and attacks against Lebanese politicians in 2004 and 2005 in the run-up to the Hariri bombing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday said he was aware of the court\u2019s financial problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Secretary-General continues to urge member states and the international community for voluntary contributions in order to secure the funds required to support the independent judicial proceedings that remain before the tribunal,\u201c U.N. Deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The funding shortfall comes as Lebanon faces its worst turmoil since Hariri\u2019s assassination. The country is deeply polarized between supporters of Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah and its allies and supporters of Hariri\u2019s son, prime minister designate Saad al-Hariri, who declined to comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FINANCES \u201eVERY CONCERNING\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eIf you abort the tribunal, if you abort this case, you are giving a free gift to the perpetrators and to those who do not want justice to take place,\u201c Nidal Jurdi, a lawyer for the victims in the second case, told Reuters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scrapping a new trial would not only harm victims who waited 17 years for the case to come to court, but would undermine accountability for crimes in Lebanon in general, Jurdi said, adding that a letter had been sent to the U.N. expressing concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It would be \u201ea disappointment for the victims of the connected cases and the victims of Lebanon\u201c, he said, appealing for international funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eLebanon needs full accountability,\u201c he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Created by a 2007 U.N. Security Council resolution and opened in 2009, the tribunal\u2019s budget last year was 55 million euros ($67 million) with Lebanon footing 49% of the bill and foreign donors and the U.N. members making up the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Special Tribunal for Lebanon is in a very concerning financial position,\u201c court spokeswoman Wajed Ramadan told Reuters. \u201eNo decision has yet been taken on judicial proceedings and there are intense fundraising efforts going on to find a solution,\u201c she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.N. extended the mandate of the tribunal from March 1, 2021, for two years or sooner if the remaining cases were completed or funding ran out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres warned in February that due to the financial crisis in Lebanon, the government\u2019s contribution was uncertain and warned the court may not be able to continue its work after the first quarter of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to U.N. documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
originally published:<\/em> 25 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/exclusive-un-tribunal-lebanon-runs-out-funds-beiruts-crisis-spills-over-2021-05-25\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A U.N. tribunal set up to prosecute those behind the 2005 assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has run out of funding amid Lebanon\u2019s economic and political crisis, threatening plans for future trials, people involved in the process said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Closing the tribunal would dash the hopes of families of victims in the Hariri murder and other attacks, but also those demanding that a U.N. tribunal bring to justice those responsible for the Beirut port blast last August that killed 200 and injured 6,500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Last year the U.N. Special Tribunal for Lebanon, located outside of The Hague, convicted former Hezbollah member Salim Jamil Ayyash for the bombing that killed Hariri and 21 others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ayyash was sentenced in absentia to five life terms in prison, while three alleged accomplices were acquitted due to insufficient evidence. read more <\/a>. Both sides have appealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The court had been scheduled to start a second trial on June 16 against Ayyash, who is accused of another assassination and attacks against Lebanese politicians in 2004 and 2005 in the run-up to the Hariri bombing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday said he was aware of the court\u2019s financial problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Secretary-General continues to urge member states and the international community for voluntary contributions in order to secure the funds required to support the independent judicial proceedings that remain before the tribunal,\u201c U.N. Deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The funding shortfall comes as Lebanon faces its worst turmoil since Hariri\u2019s assassination. The country is deeply polarized between supporters of Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah and its allies and supporters of Hariri\u2019s son, prime minister designate Saad al-Hariri, who declined to comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FINANCES \u201eVERY CONCERNING\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eIf you abort the tribunal, if you abort this case, you are giving a free gift to the perpetrators and to those who do not want justice to take place,\u201c Nidal Jurdi, a lawyer for the victims in the second case, told Reuters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scrapping a new trial would not only harm victims who waited 17 years for the case to come to court, but would undermine accountability for crimes in Lebanon in general, Jurdi said, adding that a letter had been sent to the U.N. expressing concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It would be \u201ea disappointment for the victims of the connected cases and the victims of Lebanon\u201c, he said, appealing for international funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eLebanon needs full accountability,\u201c he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Created by a 2007 U.N. Security Council resolution and opened in 2009, the tribunal\u2019s budget last year was 55 million euros ($67 million) with Lebanon footing 49% of the bill and foreign donors and the U.N. members making up the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Special Tribunal for Lebanon is in a very concerning financial position,\u201c court spokeswoman Wajed Ramadan told Reuters. \u201eNo decision has yet been taken on judicial proceedings and there are intense fundraising efforts going on to find a solution,\u201c she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.N. extended the mandate of the tribunal from March 1, 2021, for two years or sooner if the remaining cases were completed or funding ran out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres warned in February that due to the financial crisis in Lebanon, the government\u2019s contribution was uncertain and warned the court may not be able to continue its work after the first quarter of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to U.N. documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Faisal said that the Yemenis had been very accommodating to him. \u201cIt\u2019s almost like a homeland, Yemen now,\u201d he said. Still, he wants most of all to return home once he has saved some money. (IOM and UNHCR run a return programme for Somali refugees, but it has been on hold since the pandemic began.) \u201cFrankly, I don\u2019t like it here,\u201d he said. \u201cMy dream is to return to my country. If I had money, I\u2019d go back to my country directly.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"A Great Unseen Humanitarian Crisis","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"a-great-unseen-humanitarian-crisis","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5383","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5355,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:14:19","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:14:19","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 25 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/exclusive-un-tribunal-lebanon-runs-out-funds-beiruts-crisis-spills-over-2021-05-25\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A U.N. tribunal set up to prosecute those behind the 2005 assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has run out of funding amid Lebanon\u2019s economic and political crisis, threatening plans for future trials, people involved in the process said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Closing the tribunal would dash the hopes of families of victims in the Hariri murder and other attacks, but also those demanding that a U.N. tribunal bring to justice those responsible for the Beirut port blast last August that killed 200 and injured 6,500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Last year the U.N. Special Tribunal for Lebanon, located outside of The Hague, convicted former Hezbollah member Salim Jamil Ayyash for the bombing that killed Hariri and 21 others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ayyash was sentenced in absentia to five life terms in prison, while three alleged accomplices were acquitted due to insufficient evidence. read more <\/a>. Both sides have appealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The court had been scheduled to start a second trial on June 16 against Ayyash, who is accused of another assassination and attacks against Lebanese politicians in 2004 and 2005 in the run-up to the Hariri bombing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday said he was aware of the court\u2019s financial problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Secretary-General continues to urge member states and the international community for voluntary contributions in order to secure the funds required to support the independent judicial proceedings that remain before the tribunal,\u201c U.N. Deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The funding shortfall comes as Lebanon faces its worst turmoil since Hariri\u2019s assassination. The country is deeply polarized between supporters of Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah and its allies and supporters of Hariri\u2019s son, prime minister designate Saad al-Hariri, who declined to comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FINANCES \u201eVERY CONCERNING\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eIf you abort the tribunal, if you abort this case, you are giving a free gift to the perpetrators and to those who do not want justice to take place,\u201c Nidal Jurdi, a lawyer for the victims in the second case, told Reuters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scrapping a new trial would not only harm victims who waited 17 years for the case to come to court, but would undermine accountability for crimes in Lebanon in general, Jurdi said, adding that a letter had been sent to the U.N. expressing concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It would be \u201ea disappointment for the victims of the connected cases and the victims of Lebanon\u201c, he said, appealing for international funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eLebanon needs full accountability,\u201c he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Created by a 2007 U.N. Security Council resolution and opened in 2009, the tribunal\u2019s budget last year was 55 million euros ($67 million) with Lebanon footing 49% of the bill and foreign donors and the U.N. members making up the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Special Tribunal for Lebanon is in a very concerning financial position,\u201c court spokeswoman Wajed Ramadan told Reuters. \u201eNo decision has yet been taken on judicial proceedings and there are intense fundraising efforts going on to find a solution,\u201c she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.N. extended the mandate of the tribunal from March 1, 2021, for two years or sooner if the remaining cases were completed or funding ran out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres warned in February that due to the financial crisis in Lebanon, the government\u2019s contribution was uncertain and warned the court may not be able to continue its work after the first quarter of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to U.N. documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Headon pointed out that the boats are often packed full to increase smuggling profits and that the smugglers often force people from the boats. Usually, Faisal said, there are about 120 people in each 15-metre dhow. \u201cThey\u2019re overcrowded, and they often sink and many people drown.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Faisal said that the Yemenis had been very accommodating to him. \u201cIt\u2019s almost like a homeland, Yemen now,\u201d he said. Still, he wants most of all to return home once he has saved some money. (IOM and UNHCR run a return programme for Somali refugees, but it has been on hold since the pandemic began.) \u201cFrankly, I don\u2019t like it here,\u201d he said. \u201cMy dream is to return to my country. If I had money, I\u2019d go back to my country directly.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"A Great Unseen Humanitarian Crisis","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"a-great-unseen-humanitarian-crisis","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5383","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5355,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:14:19","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:14:19","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 25 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/exclusive-un-tribunal-lebanon-runs-out-funds-beiruts-crisis-spills-over-2021-05-25\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A U.N. tribunal set up to prosecute those behind the 2005 assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has run out of funding amid Lebanon\u2019s economic and political crisis, threatening plans for future trials, people involved in the process said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Closing the tribunal would dash the hopes of families of victims in the Hariri murder and other attacks, but also those demanding that a U.N. tribunal bring to justice those responsible for the Beirut port blast last August that killed 200 and injured 6,500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Last year the U.N. Special Tribunal for Lebanon, located outside of The Hague, convicted former Hezbollah member Salim Jamil Ayyash for the bombing that killed Hariri and 21 others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ayyash was sentenced in absentia to five life terms in prison, while three alleged accomplices were acquitted due to insufficient evidence. read more <\/a>. Both sides have appealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The court had been scheduled to start a second trial on June 16 against Ayyash, who is accused of another assassination and attacks against Lebanese politicians in 2004 and 2005 in the run-up to the Hariri bombing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday said he was aware of the court\u2019s financial problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Secretary-General continues to urge member states and the international community for voluntary contributions in order to secure the funds required to support the independent judicial proceedings that remain before the tribunal,\u201c U.N. Deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The funding shortfall comes as Lebanon faces its worst turmoil since Hariri\u2019s assassination. The country is deeply polarized between supporters of Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah and its allies and supporters of Hariri\u2019s son, prime minister designate Saad al-Hariri, who declined to comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FINANCES \u201eVERY CONCERNING\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eIf you abort the tribunal, if you abort this case, you are giving a free gift to the perpetrators and to those who do not want justice to take place,\u201c Nidal Jurdi, a lawyer for the victims in the second case, told Reuters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scrapping a new trial would not only harm victims who waited 17 years for the case to come to court, but would undermine accountability for crimes in Lebanon in general, Jurdi said, adding that a letter had been sent to the U.N. expressing concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It would be \u201ea disappointment for the victims of the connected cases and the victims of Lebanon\u201c, he said, appealing for international funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eLebanon needs full accountability,\u201c he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Created by a 2007 U.N. Security Council resolution and opened in 2009, the tribunal\u2019s budget last year was 55 million euros ($67 million) with Lebanon footing 49% of the bill and foreign donors and the U.N. members making up the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Special Tribunal for Lebanon is in a very concerning financial position,\u201c court spokeswoman Wajed Ramadan told Reuters. \u201eNo decision has yet been taken on judicial proceedings and there are intense fundraising efforts going on to find a solution,\u201c she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.N. extended the mandate of the tribunal from March 1, 2021, for two years or sooner if the remaining cases were completed or funding ran out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres warned in February that due to the financial crisis in Lebanon, the government\u2019s contribution was uncertain and warned the court may not be able to continue its work after the first quarter of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to U.N. documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
In Ras al-Ara, Faisal works odd jobs to get by. On good days he makes just under $20. \u201cSometimes I work as a fisherman and sometimes I travel to Somalia on a boat to get other Somalis and bring them here.\u201d When he wants to find work, he\u2019ll come to the beach in the evening, wait with other casual labourers, and then fishing captains or smugglers will come and hire him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Headon pointed out that the boats are often packed full to increase smuggling profits and that the smugglers often force people from the boats. Usually, Faisal said, there are about 120 people in each 15-metre dhow. \u201cThey\u2019re overcrowded, and they often sink and many people drown.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Faisal said that the Yemenis had been very accommodating to him. \u201cIt\u2019s almost like a homeland, Yemen now,\u201d he said. Still, he wants most of all to return home once he has saved some money. (IOM and UNHCR run a return programme for Somali refugees, but it has been on hold since the pandemic began.) \u201cFrankly, I don\u2019t like it here,\u201d he said. \u201cMy dream is to return to my country. If I had money, I\u2019d go back to my country directly.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"A Great Unseen Humanitarian Crisis","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"a-great-unseen-humanitarian-crisis","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5383","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5355,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:14:19","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:14:19","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 25 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/exclusive-un-tribunal-lebanon-runs-out-funds-beiruts-crisis-spills-over-2021-05-25\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A U.N. tribunal set up to prosecute those behind the 2005 assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has run out of funding amid Lebanon\u2019s economic and political crisis, threatening plans for future trials, people involved in the process said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Closing the tribunal would dash the hopes of families of victims in the Hariri murder and other attacks, but also those demanding that a U.N. tribunal bring to justice those responsible for the Beirut port blast last August that killed 200 and injured 6,500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Last year the U.N. Special Tribunal for Lebanon, located outside of The Hague, convicted former Hezbollah member Salim Jamil Ayyash for the bombing that killed Hariri and 21 others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ayyash was sentenced in absentia to five life terms in prison, while three alleged accomplices were acquitted due to insufficient evidence. read more <\/a>. Both sides have appealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The court had been scheduled to start a second trial on June 16 against Ayyash, who is accused of another assassination and attacks against Lebanese politicians in 2004 and 2005 in the run-up to the Hariri bombing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday said he was aware of the court\u2019s financial problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Secretary-General continues to urge member states and the international community for voluntary contributions in order to secure the funds required to support the independent judicial proceedings that remain before the tribunal,\u201c U.N. Deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The funding shortfall comes as Lebanon faces its worst turmoil since Hariri\u2019s assassination. The country is deeply polarized between supporters of Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah and its allies and supporters of Hariri\u2019s son, prime minister designate Saad al-Hariri, who declined to comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FINANCES \u201eVERY CONCERNING\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eIf you abort the tribunal, if you abort this case, you are giving a free gift to the perpetrators and to those who do not want justice to take place,\u201c Nidal Jurdi, a lawyer for the victims in the second case, told Reuters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scrapping a new trial would not only harm victims who waited 17 years for the case to come to court, but would undermine accountability for crimes in Lebanon in general, Jurdi said, adding that a letter had been sent to the U.N. expressing concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It would be \u201ea disappointment for the victims of the connected cases and the victims of Lebanon\u201c, he said, appealing for international funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eLebanon needs full accountability,\u201c he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Created by a 2007 U.N. Security Council resolution and opened in 2009, the tribunal\u2019s budget last year was 55 million euros ($67 million) with Lebanon footing 49% of the bill and foreign donors and the U.N. members making up the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Special Tribunal for Lebanon is in a very concerning financial position,\u201c court spokeswoman Wajed Ramadan told Reuters. \u201eNo decision has yet been taken on judicial proceedings and there are intense fundraising efforts going on to find a solution,\u201c she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.N. extended the mandate of the tribunal from March 1, 2021, for two years or sooner if the remaining cases were completed or funding ran out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres warned in February that due to the financial crisis in Lebanon, the government\u2019s contribution was uncertain and warned the court may not be able to continue its work after the first quarter of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to U.N. documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
One of the first to get up was Faisal, a 46-year-old Somali man with a pronounced swagger and cracked teeth, his head wrapped in a white turban. He paid around $200 to come to Yemen from Somalia\u2019s Puntland region in 2010, and he has lived in Ras al-Ara for the past seven years. He had worked as a soldier in Puntland, but then he feuded with his brother, lost his job and was forced to leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Ras al-Ara, Faisal works odd jobs to get by. On good days he makes just under $20. \u201cSometimes I work as a fisherman and sometimes I travel to Somalia on a boat to get other Somalis and bring them here.\u201d When he wants to find work, he\u2019ll come to the beach in the evening, wait with other casual labourers, and then fishing captains or smugglers will come and hire him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Headon pointed out that the boats are often packed full to increase smuggling profits and that the smugglers often force people from the boats. Usually, Faisal said, there are about 120 people in each 15-metre dhow. \u201cThey\u2019re overcrowded, and they often sink and many people drown.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Faisal said that the Yemenis had been very accommodating to him. \u201cIt\u2019s almost like a homeland, Yemen now,\u201d he said. Still, he wants most of all to return home once he has saved some money. (IOM and UNHCR run a return programme for Somali refugees, but it has been on hold since the pandemic began.) \u201cFrankly, I don\u2019t like it here,\u201d he said. \u201cMy dream is to return to my country. If I had money, I\u2019d go back to my country directly.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"A Great Unseen Humanitarian Crisis","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"a-great-unseen-humanitarian-crisis","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5383","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5355,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:14:19","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:14:19","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 25 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/exclusive-un-tribunal-lebanon-runs-out-funds-beiruts-crisis-spills-over-2021-05-25\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A U.N. tribunal set up to prosecute those behind the 2005 assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has run out of funding amid Lebanon\u2019s economic and political crisis, threatening plans for future trials, people involved in the process said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Closing the tribunal would dash the hopes of families of victims in the Hariri murder and other attacks, but also those demanding that a U.N. tribunal bring to justice those responsible for the Beirut port blast last August that killed 200 and injured 6,500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Last year the U.N. Special Tribunal for Lebanon, located outside of The Hague, convicted former Hezbollah member Salim Jamil Ayyash for the bombing that killed Hariri and 21 others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ayyash was sentenced in absentia to five life terms in prison, while three alleged accomplices were acquitted due to insufficient evidence. read more <\/a>. Both sides have appealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The court had been scheduled to start a second trial on June 16 against Ayyash, who is accused of another assassination and attacks against Lebanese politicians in 2004 and 2005 in the run-up to the Hariri bombing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday said he was aware of the court\u2019s financial problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Secretary-General continues to urge member states and the international community for voluntary contributions in order to secure the funds required to support the independent judicial proceedings that remain before the tribunal,\u201c U.N. Deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The funding shortfall comes as Lebanon faces its worst turmoil since Hariri\u2019s assassination. The country is deeply polarized between supporters of Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah and its allies and supporters of Hariri\u2019s son, prime minister designate Saad al-Hariri, who declined to comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FINANCES \u201eVERY CONCERNING\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eIf you abort the tribunal, if you abort this case, you are giving a free gift to the perpetrators and to those who do not want justice to take place,\u201c Nidal Jurdi, a lawyer for the victims in the second case, told Reuters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scrapping a new trial would not only harm victims who waited 17 years for the case to come to court, but would undermine accountability for crimes in Lebanon in general, Jurdi said, adding that a letter had been sent to the U.N. expressing concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It would be \u201ea disappointment for the victims of the connected cases and the victims of Lebanon\u201c, he said, appealing for international funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eLebanon needs full accountability,\u201c he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Created by a 2007 U.N. Security Council resolution and opened in 2009, the tribunal\u2019s budget last year was 55 million euros ($67 million) with Lebanon footing 49% of the bill and foreign donors and the U.N. members making up the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Special Tribunal for Lebanon is in a very concerning financial position,\u201c court spokeswoman Wajed Ramadan told Reuters. \u201eNo decision has yet been taken on judicial proceedings and there are intense fundraising efforts going on to find a solution,\u201c she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.N. extended the mandate of the tribunal from March 1, 2021, for two years or sooner if the remaining cases were completed or funding ran out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres warned in February that due to the financial crisis in Lebanon, the government\u2019s contribution was uncertain and warned the court may not be able to continue its work after the first quarter of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to U.N. documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The men who sat around him in a circle were mainly African migrants, and they waited shouting and jostling before quietening down, as each man got up, explained to the young man what work he had done and received his money. \u201cI fished more than he did,\u201d one shouted. \u201cWhy are you giving him more money?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the first to get up was Faisal, a 46-year-old Somali man with a pronounced swagger and cracked teeth, his head wrapped in a white turban. He paid around $200 to come to Yemen from Somalia\u2019s Puntland region in 2010, and he has lived in Ras al-Ara for the past seven years. He had worked as a soldier in Puntland, but then he feuded with his brother, lost his job and was forced to leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Ras al-Ara, Faisal works odd jobs to get by. On good days he makes just under $20. \u201cSometimes I work as a fisherman and sometimes I travel to Somalia on a boat to get other Somalis and bring them here.\u201d When he wants to find work, he\u2019ll come to the beach in the evening, wait with other casual labourers, and then fishing captains or smugglers will come and hire him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Headon pointed out that the boats are often packed full to increase smuggling profits and that the smugglers often force people from the boats. Usually, Faisal said, there are about 120 people in each 15-metre dhow. \u201cThey\u2019re overcrowded, and they often sink and many people drown.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Faisal said that the Yemenis had been very accommodating to him. \u201cIt\u2019s almost like a homeland, Yemen now,\u201d he said. Still, he wants most of all to return home once he has saved some money. (IOM and UNHCR run a return programme for Somali refugees, but it has been on hold since the pandemic began.) \u201cFrankly, I don\u2019t like it here,\u201d he said. \u201cMy dream is to return to my country. If I had money, I\u2019d go back to my country directly.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"A Great Unseen Humanitarian Crisis","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"a-great-unseen-humanitarian-crisis","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5383","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5355,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:14:19","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:14:19","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 25 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/exclusive-un-tribunal-lebanon-runs-out-funds-beiruts-crisis-spills-over-2021-05-25\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A U.N. tribunal set up to prosecute those behind the 2005 assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has run out of funding amid Lebanon\u2019s economic and political crisis, threatening plans for future trials, people involved in the process said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Closing the tribunal would dash the hopes of families of victims in the Hariri murder and other attacks, but also those demanding that a U.N. tribunal bring to justice those responsible for the Beirut port blast last August that killed 200 and injured 6,500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Last year the U.N. Special Tribunal for Lebanon, located outside of The Hague, convicted former Hezbollah member Salim Jamil Ayyash for the bombing that killed Hariri and 21 others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ayyash was sentenced in absentia to five life terms in prison, while three alleged accomplices were acquitted due to insufficient evidence. read more <\/a>. Both sides have appealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The court had been scheduled to start a second trial on June 16 against Ayyash, who is accused of another assassination and attacks against Lebanese politicians in 2004 and 2005 in the run-up to the Hariri bombing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday said he was aware of the court\u2019s financial problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Secretary-General continues to urge member states and the international community for voluntary contributions in order to secure the funds required to support the independent judicial proceedings that remain before the tribunal,\u201c U.N. Deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The funding shortfall comes as Lebanon faces its worst turmoil since Hariri\u2019s assassination. The country is deeply polarized between supporters of Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah and its allies and supporters of Hariri\u2019s son, prime minister designate Saad al-Hariri, who declined to comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FINANCES \u201eVERY CONCERNING\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eIf you abort the tribunal, if you abort this case, you are giving a free gift to the perpetrators and to those who do not want justice to take place,\u201c Nidal Jurdi, a lawyer for the victims in the second case, told Reuters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scrapping a new trial would not only harm victims who waited 17 years for the case to come to court, but would undermine accountability for crimes in Lebanon in general, Jurdi said, adding that a letter had been sent to the U.N. expressing concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It would be \u201ea disappointment for the victims of the connected cases and the victims of Lebanon\u201c, he said, appealing for international funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eLebanon needs full accountability,\u201c he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Created by a 2007 U.N. Security Council resolution and opened in 2009, the tribunal\u2019s budget last year was 55 million euros ($67 million) with Lebanon footing 49% of the bill and foreign donors and the U.N. members making up the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Special Tribunal for Lebanon is in a very concerning financial position,\u201c court spokeswoman Wajed Ramadan told Reuters. \u201eNo decision has yet been taken on judicial proceedings and there are intense fundraising efforts going on to find a solution,\u201c she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.N. extended the mandate of the tribunal from March 1, 2021, for two years or sooner if the remaining cases were completed or funding ran out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres warned in February that due to the financial crisis in Lebanon, the government\u2019s contribution was uncertain and warned the court may not be able to continue its work after the first quarter of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to U.N. documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
In Ras al-Ara, some migrants have settled too, carving out careers of sorts for themselves on the fishing dhows and on long sea journeys transporting people like themselves. On a beach dotted with anchored boats the afternoon after the two Mohameds were freed, a young Yemeni man in a sarong was distributing fistfuls of cash to migrants sitting on the ground. At first, the man claimed that the money was payment for work on the boats, but then he suggested that, in fact, the labourers had been working on a farm. It was unclear why they were being paid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The men who sat around him in a circle were mainly African migrants, and they waited shouting and jostling before quietening down, as each man got up, explained to the young man what work he had done and received his money. \u201cI fished more than he did,\u201d one shouted. \u201cWhy are you giving him more money?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the first to get up was Faisal, a 46-year-old Somali man with a pronounced swagger and cracked teeth, his head wrapped in a white turban. He paid around $200 to come to Yemen from Somalia\u2019s Puntland region in 2010, and he has lived in Ras al-Ara for the past seven years. He had worked as a soldier in Puntland, but then he feuded with his brother, lost his job and was forced to leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Ras al-Ara, Faisal works odd jobs to get by. On good days he makes just under $20. \u201cSometimes I work as a fisherman and sometimes I travel to Somalia on a boat to get other Somalis and bring them here.\u201d When he wants to find work, he\u2019ll come to the beach in the evening, wait with other casual labourers, and then fishing captains or smugglers will come and hire him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Headon pointed out that the boats are often packed full to increase smuggling profits and that the smugglers often force people from the boats. Usually, Faisal said, there are about 120 people in each 15-metre dhow. \u201cThey\u2019re overcrowded, and they often sink and many people drown.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Faisal said that the Yemenis had been very accommodating to him. \u201cIt\u2019s almost like a homeland, Yemen now,\u201d he said. Still, he wants most of all to return home once he has saved some money. (IOM and UNHCR run a return programme for Somali refugees, but it has been on hold since the pandemic began.) \u201cFrankly, I don\u2019t like it here,\u201d he said. \u201cMy dream is to return to my country. If I had money, I\u2019d go back to my country directly.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"A Great Unseen Humanitarian Crisis","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"a-great-unseen-humanitarian-crisis","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5383","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5355,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:14:19","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:14:19","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 25 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/exclusive-un-tribunal-lebanon-runs-out-funds-beiruts-crisis-spills-over-2021-05-25\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A U.N. tribunal set up to prosecute those behind the 2005 assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has run out of funding amid Lebanon\u2019s economic and political crisis, threatening plans for future trials, people involved in the process said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Closing the tribunal would dash the hopes of families of victims in the Hariri murder and other attacks, but also those demanding that a U.N. tribunal bring to justice those responsible for the Beirut port blast last August that killed 200 and injured 6,500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Last year the U.N. Special Tribunal for Lebanon, located outside of The Hague, convicted former Hezbollah member Salim Jamil Ayyash for the bombing that killed Hariri and 21 others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ayyash was sentenced in absentia to five life terms in prison, while three alleged accomplices were acquitted due to insufficient evidence. read more <\/a>. Both sides have appealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The court had been scheduled to start a second trial on June 16 against Ayyash, who is accused of another assassination and attacks against Lebanese politicians in 2004 and 2005 in the run-up to the Hariri bombing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday said he was aware of the court\u2019s financial problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Secretary-General continues to urge member states and the international community for voluntary contributions in order to secure the funds required to support the independent judicial proceedings that remain before the tribunal,\u201c U.N. Deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The funding shortfall comes as Lebanon faces its worst turmoil since Hariri\u2019s assassination. The country is deeply polarized between supporters of Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah and its allies and supporters of Hariri\u2019s son, prime minister designate Saad al-Hariri, who declined to comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FINANCES \u201eVERY CONCERNING\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eIf you abort the tribunal, if you abort this case, you are giving a free gift to the perpetrators and to those who do not want justice to take place,\u201c Nidal Jurdi, a lawyer for the victims in the second case, told Reuters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scrapping a new trial would not only harm victims who waited 17 years for the case to come to court, but would undermine accountability for crimes in Lebanon in general, Jurdi said, adding that a letter had been sent to the U.N. expressing concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It would be \u201ea disappointment for the victims of the connected cases and the victims of Lebanon\u201c, he said, appealing for international funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eLebanon needs full accountability,\u201c he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Created by a 2007 U.N. Security Council resolution and opened in 2009, the tribunal\u2019s budget last year was 55 million euros ($67 million) with Lebanon footing 49% of the bill and foreign donors and the U.N. members making up the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Special Tribunal for Lebanon is in a very concerning financial position,\u201c court spokeswoman Wajed Ramadan told Reuters. \u201eNo decision has yet been taken on judicial proceedings and there are intense fundraising efforts going on to find a solution,\u201c she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.N. extended the mandate of the tribunal from March 1, 2021, for two years or sooner if the remaining cases were completed or funding ran out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres warned in February that due to the financial crisis in Lebanon, the government\u2019s contribution was uncertain and warned the court may not be able to continue its work after the first quarter of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to U.N. documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
In Ras al-Ara, some migrants have settled too, carving out careers of sorts for themselves on the fishing dhows and on long sea journeys transporting people like themselves. On a beach dotted with anchored boats the afternoon after the two Mohameds were freed, a young Yemeni man in a sarong was distributing fistfuls of cash to migrants sitting on the ground. At first, the man claimed that the money was payment for work on the boats, but then he suggested that, in fact, the labourers had been working on a farm. It was unclear why they were being paid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The men who sat around him in a circle were mainly African migrants, and they waited shouting and jostling before quietening down, as each man got up, explained to the young man what work he had done and received his money. \u201cI fished more than he did,\u201d one shouted. \u201cWhy are you giving him more money?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the first to get up was Faisal, a 46-year-old Somali man with a pronounced swagger and cracked teeth, his head wrapped in a white turban. He paid around $200 to come to Yemen from Somalia\u2019s Puntland region in 2010, and he has lived in Ras al-Ara for the past seven years. He had worked as a soldier in Puntland, but then he feuded with his brother, lost his job and was forced to leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Ras al-Ara, Faisal works odd jobs to get by. On good days he makes just under $20. \u201cSometimes I work as a fisherman and sometimes I travel to Somalia on a boat to get other Somalis and bring them here.\u201d When he wants to find work, he\u2019ll come to the beach in the evening, wait with other casual labourers, and then fishing captains or smugglers will come and hire him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Headon pointed out that the boats are often packed full to increase smuggling profits and that the smugglers often force people from the boats. Usually, Faisal said, there are about 120 people in each 15-metre dhow. \u201cThey\u2019re overcrowded, and they often sink and many people drown.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Faisal said that the Yemenis had been very accommodating to him. \u201cIt\u2019s almost like a homeland, Yemen now,\u201d he said. Still, he wants most of all to return home once he has saved some money. (IOM and UNHCR run a return programme for Somali refugees, but it has been on hold since the pandemic began.) \u201cFrankly, I don\u2019t like it here,\u201d he said. \u201cMy dream is to return to my country. If I had money, I\u2019d go back to my country directly.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"A Great Unseen Humanitarian Crisis","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"a-great-unseen-humanitarian-crisis","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5383","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5355,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:14:19","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:14:19","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 25 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/exclusive-un-tribunal-lebanon-runs-out-funds-beiruts-crisis-spills-over-2021-05-25\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A U.N. tribunal set up to prosecute those behind the 2005 assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has run out of funding amid Lebanon\u2019s economic and political crisis, threatening plans for future trials, people involved in the process said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Closing the tribunal would dash the hopes of families of victims in the Hariri murder and other attacks, but also those demanding that a U.N. tribunal bring to justice those responsible for the Beirut port blast last August that killed 200 and injured 6,500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Last year the U.N. Special Tribunal for Lebanon, located outside of The Hague, convicted former Hezbollah member Salim Jamil Ayyash for the bombing that killed Hariri and 21 others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ayyash was sentenced in absentia to five life terms in prison, while three alleged accomplices were acquitted due to insufficient evidence. read more <\/a>. Both sides have appealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The court had been scheduled to start a second trial on June 16 against Ayyash, who is accused of another assassination and attacks against Lebanese politicians in 2004 and 2005 in the run-up to the Hariri bombing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday said he was aware of the court\u2019s financial problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Secretary-General continues to urge member states and the international community for voluntary contributions in order to secure the funds required to support the independent judicial proceedings that remain before the tribunal,\u201c U.N. Deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The funding shortfall comes as Lebanon faces its worst turmoil since Hariri\u2019s assassination. The country is deeply polarized between supporters of Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah and its allies and supporters of Hariri\u2019s son, prime minister designate Saad al-Hariri, who declined to comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FINANCES \u201eVERY CONCERNING\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eIf you abort the tribunal, if you abort this case, you are giving a free gift to the perpetrators and to those who do not want justice to take place,\u201c Nidal Jurdi, a lawyer for the victims in the second case, told Reuters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scrapping a new trial would not only harm victims who waited 17 years for the case to come to court, but would undermine accountability for crimes in Lebanon in general, Jurdi said, adding that a letter had been sent to the U.N. expressing concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It would be \u201ea disappointment for the victims of the connected cases and the victims of Lebanon\u201c, he said, appealing for international funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eLebanon needs full accountability,\u201c he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Created by a 2007 U.N. Security Council resolution and opened in 2009, the tribunal\u2019s budget last year was 55 million euros ($67 million) with Lebanon footing 49% of the bill and foreign donors and the U.N. members making up the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Special Tribunal for Lebanon is in a very concerning financial position,\u201c court spokeswoman Wajed Ramadan told Reuters. \u201eNo decision has yet been taken on judicial proceedings and there are intense fundraising efforts going on to find a solution,\u201c she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.N. extended the mandate of the tribunal from March 1, 2021, for two years or sooner if the remaining cases were completed or funding ran out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres warned in February that due to the financial crisis in Lebanon, the government\u2019s contribution was uncertain and warned the court may not be able to continue its work after the first quarter of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to U.N. documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
In Ras al-Ara, some migrants have settled too, carving out careers of sorts for themselves on the fishing dhows and on long sea journeys transporting people like themselves. On a beach dotted with anchored boats the afternoon after the two Mohameds were freed, a young Yemeni man in a sarong was distributing fistfuls of cash to migrants sitting on the ground. At first, the man claimed that the money was payment for work on the boats, but then he suggested that, in fact, the labourers had been working on a farm. It was unclear why they were being paid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The men who sat around him in a circle were mainly African migrants, and they waited shouting and jostling before quietening down, as each man got up, explained to the young man what work he had done and received his money. \u201cI fished more than he did,\u201d one shouted. \u201cWhy are you giving him more money?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the first to get up was Faisal, a 46-year-old Somali man with a pronounced swagger and cracked teeth, his head wrapped in a white turban. He paid around $200 to come to Yemen from Somalia\u2019s Puntland region in 2010, and he has lived in Ras al-Ara for the past seven years. He had worked as a soldier in Puntland, but then he feuded with his brother, lost his job and was forced to leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Ras al-Ara, Faisal works odd jobs to get by. On good days he makes just under $20. \u201cSometimes I work as a fisherman and sometimes I travel to Somalia on a boat to get other Somalis and bring them here.\u201d When he wants to find work, he\u2019ll come to the beach in the evening, wait with other casual labourers, and then fishing captains or smugglers will come and hire him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Headon pointed out that the boats are often packed full to increase smuggling profits and that the smugglers often force people from the boats. Usually, Faisal said, there are about 120 people in each 15-metre dhow. \u201cThey\u2019re overcrowded, and they often sink and many people drown.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Faisal said that the Yemenis had been very accommodating to him. \u201cIt\u2019s almost like a homeland, Yemen now,\u201d he said. Still, he wants most of all to return home once he has saved some money. (IOM and UNHCR run a return programme for Somali refugees, but it has been on hold since the pandemic began.) \u201cFrankly, I don\u2019t like it here,\u201d he said. \u201cMy dream is to return to my country. If I had money, I\u2019d go back to my country directly.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"A Great Unseen Humanitarian Crisis","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"a-great-unseen-humanitarian-crisis","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5383","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5355,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:14:19","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:14:19","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 25 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/exclusive-un-tribunal-lebanon-runs-out-funds-beiruts-crisis-spills-over-2021-05-25\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A U.N. tribunal set up to prosecute those behind the 2005 assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has run out of funding amid Lebanon\u2019s economic and political crisis, threatening plans for future trials, people involved in the process said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Closing the tribunal would dash the hopes of families of victims in the Hariri murder and other attacks, but also those demanding that a U.N. tribunal bring to justice those responsible for the Beirut port blast last August that killed 200 and injured 6,500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Last year the U.N. Special Tribunal for Lebanon, located outside of The Hague, convicted former Hezbollah member Salim Jamil Ayyash for the bombing that killed Hariri and 21 others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ayyash was sentenced in absentia to five life terms in prison, while three alleged accomplices were acquitted due to insufficient evidence. read more <\/a>. Both sides have appealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The court had been scheduled to start a second trial on June 16 against Ayyash, who is accused of another assassination and attacks against Lebanese politicians in 2004 and 2005 in the run-up to the Hariri bombing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday said he was aware of the court\u2019s financial problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Secretary-General continues to urge member states and the international community for voluntary contributions in order to secure the funds required to support the independent judicial proceedings that remain before the tribunal,\u201c U.N. Deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The funding shortfall comes as Lebanon faces its worst turmoil since Hariri\u2019s assassination. The country is deeply polarized between supporters of Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah and its allies and supporters of Hariri\u2019s son, prime minister designate Saad al-Hariri, who declined to comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FINANCES \u201eVERY CONCERNING\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eIf you abort the tribunal, if you abort this case, you are giving a free gift to the perpetrators and to those who do not want justice to take place,\u201c Nidal Jurdi, a lawyer for the victims in the second case, told Reuters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scrapping a new trial would not only harm victims who waited 17 years for the case to come to court, but would undermine accountability for crimes in Lebanon in general, Jurdi said, adding that a letter had been sent to the U.N. expressing concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It would be \u201ea disappointment for the victims of the connected cases and the victims of Lebanon\u201c, he said, appealing for international funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eLebanon needs full accountability,\u201c he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Created by a 2007 U.N. Security Council resolution and opened in 2009, the tribunal\u2019s budget last year was 55 million euros ($67 million) with Lebanon footing 49% of the bill and foreign donors and the U.N. members making up the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Special Tribunal for Lebanon is in a very concerning financial position,\u201c court spokeswoman Wajed Ramadan told Reuters. \u201eNo decision has yet been taken on judicial proceedings and there are intense fundraising efforts going on to find a solution,\u201c she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.N. extended the mandate of the tribunal from March 1, 2021, for two years or sooner if the remaining cases were completed or funding ran out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres warned in February that due to the financial crisis in Lebanon, the government\u2019s contribution was uncertain and warned the court may not be able to continue its work after the first quarter of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to U.N. documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
In Ras al-Ara, some migrants have settled too, carving out careers of sorts for themselves on the fishing dhows and on long sea journeys transporting people like themselves. On a beach dotted with anchored boats the afternoon after the two Mohameds were freed, a young Yemeni man in a sarong was distributing fistfuls of cash to migrants sitting on the ground. At first, the man claimed that the money was payment for work on the boats, but then he suggested that, in fact, the labourers had been working on a farm. It was unclear why they were being paid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The men who sat around him in a circle were mainly African migrants, and they waited shouting and jostling before quietening down, as each man got up, explained to the young man what work he had done and received his money. \u201cI fished more than he did,\u201d one shouted. \u201cWhy are you giving him more money?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the first to get up was Faisal, a 46-year-old Somali man with a pronounced swagger and cracked teeth, his head wrapped in a white turban. He paid around $200 to come to Yemen from Somalia\u2019s Puntland region in 2010, and he has lived in Ras al-Ara for the past seven years. He had worked as a soldier in Puntland, but then he feuded with his brother, lost his job and was forced to leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Ras al-Ara, Faisal works odd jobs to get by. On good days he makes just under $20. \u201cSometimes I work as a fisherman and sometimes I travel to Somalia on a boat to get other Somalis and bring them here.\u201d When he wants to find work, he\u2019ll come to the beach in the evening, wait with other casual labourers, and then fishing captains or smugglers will come and hire him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Headon pointed out that the boats are often packed full to increase smuggling profits and that the smugglers often force people from the boats. Usually, Faisal said, there are about 120 people in each 15-metre dhow. \u201cThey\u2019re overcrowded, and they often sink and many people drown.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Faisal said that the Yemenis had been very accommodating to him. \u201cIt\u2019s almost like a homeland, Yemen now,\u201d he said. Still, he wants most of all to return home once he has saved some money. (IOM and UNHCR run a return programme for Somali refugees, but it has been on hold since the pandemic began.) \u201cFrankly, I don\u2019t like it here,\u201d he said. \u201cMy dream is to return to my country. If I had money, I\u2019d go back to my country directly.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"A Great Unseen Humanitarian Crisis","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"a-great-unseen-humanitarian-crisis","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5383","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5355,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:14:19","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:14:19","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 25 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/exclusive-un-tribunal-lebanon-runs-out-funds-beiruts-crisis-spills-over-2021-05-25\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A U.N. tribunal set up to prosecute those behind the 2005 assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has run out of funding amid Lebanon\u2019s economic and political crisis, threatening plans for future trials, people involved in the process said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Closing the tribunal would dash the hopes of families of victims in the Hariri murder and other attacks, but also those demanding that a U.N. tribunal bring to justice those responsible for the Beirut port blast last August that killed 200 and injured 6,500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Last year the U.N. Special Tribunal for Lebanon, located outside of The Hague, convicted former Hezbollah member Salim Jamil Ayyash for the bombing that killed Hariri and 21 others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ayyash was sentenced in absentia to five life terms in prison, while three alleged accomplices were acquitted due to insufficient evidence. read more <\/a>. Both sides have appealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The court had been scheduled to start a second trial on June 16 against Ayyash, who is accused of another assassination and attacks against Lebanese politicians in 2004 and 2005 in the run-up to the Hariri bombing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday said he was aware of the court\u2019s financial problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Secretary-General continues to urge member states and the international community for voluntary contributions in order to secure the funds required to support the independent judicial proceedings that remain before the tribunal,\u201c U.N. Deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The funding shortfall comes as Lebanon faces its worst turmoil since Hariri\u2019s assassination. The country is deeply polarized between supporters of Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah and its allies and supporters of Hariri\u2019s son, prime minister designate Saad al-Hariri, who declined to comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FINANCES \u201eVERY CONCERNING\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eIf you abort the tribunal, if you abort this case, you are giving a free gift to the perpetrators and to those who do not want justice to take place,\u201c Nidal Jurdi, a lawyer for the victims in the second case, told Reuters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scrapping a new trial would not only harm victims who waited 17 years for the case to come to court, but would undermine accountability for crimes in Lebanon in general, Jurdi said, adding that a letter had been sent to the U.N. expressing concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It would be \u201ea disappointment for the victims of the connected cases and the victims of Lebanon\u201c, he said, appealing for international funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eLebanon needs full accountability,\u201c he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Created by a 2007 U.N. Security Council resolution and opened in 2009, the tribunal\u2019s budget last year was 55 million euros ($67 million) with Lebanon footing 49% of the bill and foreign donors and the U.N. members making up the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Special Tribunal for Lebanon is in a very concerning financial position,\u201c court spokeswoman Wajed Ramadan told Reuters. \u201eNo decision has yet been taken on judicial proceedings and there are intense fundraising efforts going on to find a solution,\u201c she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.N. extended the mandate of the tribunal from March 1, 2021, for two years or sooner if the remaining cases were completed or funding ran out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres warned in February that due to the financial crisis in Lebanon, the government\u2019s contribution was uncertain and warned the court may not be able to continue its work after the first quarter of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to U.N. documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Still, Saida says, she cannot find regular work and she relies on UNHCR\u2019s services to keep her children alive. \u201cThe community health volunteers have helped me a lot. They have helped me take care of my children and put me in touch with specialists, and they taught me how to continue with the treatments,\u201d Saida continued. \u201cThey also taught me how to identify signs of my children relapsing into sickness or having contracted other diseases. Now, thanks be to God, everything is going well with them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Ras al-Ara, some migrants have settled too, carving out careers of sorts for themselves on the fishing dhows and on long sea journeys transporting people like themselves. On a beach dotted with anchored boats the afternoon after the two Mohameds were freed, a young Yemeni man in a sarong was distributing fistfuls of cash to migrants sitting on the ground. At first, the man claimed that the money was payment for work on the boats, but then he suggested that, in fact, the labourers had been working on a farm. It was unclear why they were being paid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The men who sat around him in a circle were mainly African migrants, and they waited shouting and jostling before quietening down, as each man got up, explained to the young man what work he had done and received his money. \u201cI fished more than he did,\u201d one shouted. \u201cWhy are you giving him more money?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the first to get up was Faisal, a 46-year-old Somali man with a pronounced swagger and cracked teeth, his head wrapped in a white turban. He paid around $200 to come to Yemen from Somalia\u2019s Puntland region in 2010, and he has lived in Ras al-Ara for the past seven years. He had worked as a soldier in Puntland, but then he feuded with his brother, lost his job and was forced to leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Ras al-Ara, Faisal works odd jobs to get by. On good days he makes just under $20. \u201cSometimes I work as a fisherman and sometimes I travel to Somalia on a boat to get other Somalis and bring them here.\u201d When he wants to find work, he\u2019ll come to the beach in the evening, wait with other casual labourers, and then fishing captains or smugglers will come and hire him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Headon pointed out that the boats are often packed full to increase smuggling profits and that the smugglers often force people from the boats. Usually, Faisal said, there are about 120 people in each 15-metre dhow. \u201cThey\u2019re overcrowded, and they often sink and many people drown.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Faisal said that the Yemenis had been very accommodating to him. \u201cIt\u2019s almost like a homeland, Yemen now,\u201d he said. Still, he wants most of all to return home once he has saved some money. (IOM and UNHCR run a return programme for Somali refugees, but it has been on hold since the pandemic began.) \u201cFrankly, I don\u2019t like it here,\u201d he said. \u201cMy dream is to return to my country. If I had money, I\u2019d go back to my country directly.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"A Great Unseen Humanitarian Crisis","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"a-great-unseen-humanitarian-crisis","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5383","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5355,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:14:19","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:14:19","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 25 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/exclusive-un-tribunal-lebanon-runs-out-funds-beiruts-crisis-spills-over-2021-05-25\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A U.N. tribunal set up to prosecute those behind the 2005 assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has run out of funding amid Lebanon\u2019s economic and political crisis, threatening plans for future trials, people involved in the process said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Closing the tribunal would dash the hopes of families of victims in the Hariri murder and other attacks, but also those demanding that a U.N. tribunal bring to justice those responsible for the Beirut port blast last August that killed 200 and injured 6,500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Last year the U.N. Special Tribunal for Lebanon, located outside of The Hague, convicted former Hezbollah member Salim Jamil Ayyash for the bombing that killed Hariri and 21 others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ayyash was sentenced in absentia to five life terms in prison, while three alleged accomplices were acquitted due to insufficient evidence. read more <\/a>. Both sides have appealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The court had been scheduled to start a second trial on June 16 against Ayyash, who is accused of another assassination and attacks against Lebanese politicians in 2004 and 2005 in the run-up to the Hariri bombing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday said he was aware of the court\u2019s financial problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Secretary-General continues to urge member states and the international community for voluntary contributions in order to secure the funds required to support the independent judicial proceedings that remain before the tribunal,\u201c U.N. Deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The funding shortfall comes as Lebanon faces its worst turmoil since Hariri\u2019s assassination. The country is deeply polarized between supporters of Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah and its allies and supporters of Hariri\u2019s son, prime minister designate Saad al-Hariri, who declined to comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FINANCES \u201eVERY CONCERNING\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eIf you abort the tribunal, if you abort this case, you are giving a free gift to the perpetrators and to those who do not want justice to take place,\u201c Nidal Jurdi, a lawyer for the victims in the second case, told Reuters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scrapping a new trial would not only harm victims who waited 17 years for the case to come to court, but would undermine accountability for crimes in Lebanon in general, Jurdi said, adding that a letter had been sent to the U.N. expressing concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It would be \u201ea disappointment for the victims of the connected cases and the victims of Lebanon\u201c, he said, appealing for international funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eLebanon needs full accountability,\u201c he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Created by a 2007 U.N. Security Council resolution and opened in 2009, the tribunal\u2019s budget last year was 55 million euros ($67 million) with Lebanon footing 49% of the bill and foreign donors and the U.N. members making up the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201eThe Special Tribunal for Lebanon is in a very concerning financial position,\u201c court spokeswoman Wajed Ramadan told Reuters. \u201eNo decision has yet been taken on judicial proceedings and there are intense fundraising efforts going on to find a solution,\u201c she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.N. extended the mandate of the tribunal from March 1, 2021, for two years or sooner if the remaining cases were completed or funding ran out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres warned in February that due to the financial crisis in Lebanon, the government\u2019s contribution was uncertain and warned the court may not be able to continue its work after the first quarter of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to U.N. documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the U.N. General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.<\/p>\n","post_title":"EXCLUSIVE U.N. tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut\u2019s crisis spills over","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"exclusive-u-n-tribunal-for-lebanon-runs-out-of-funds-as-beiruts-crisis-spills-over","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5355","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5343,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:04:21","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 30 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.omanobserver.om\/article\/1101592\/business\/unprecedented-19-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Electricity consumption dipped a modest, but unprecedented, 1.9 percent to 33,156 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2020, reversing for the first time since the sector was restructured in 2005 a year-on-year trend in power demand growth averaging around 4-6 percent annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The slump, as with most other aspects of national economic and social life over the past year, was attributed to widespread disruption unleashed by the economic downturn compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to figures released by Nama Group, the holding company of government-owned power assets and related service providers, subsidy disbursed by the government to the sector also declined slightly to RO 614.98 million in 2020, down from RO 624.69 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subsidy typically accounts for roughly half of the economic cost of power generation, distribution and supply to Oman\u2019s estimated 1.3 million customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than one percent of this total \u2014 comprising large government, industrial and commercial customers with a consumption of over 150 megawatt-hours per annum \u2014 pay subsidy-free cost-reflective tariffs. Besides electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply costs, the overall economic cost of supplying power also includes depreciation cost, operation and maintenance costs, interest on borrowings, general and administrative expenses, and tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Significantly, the subsidy per unit of electricity supplied by Nama Group subsidiaries last year also grew moderately to RO 18.550 per unit last year, up from RO 18.480 in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, starting from 2021, the overall subsidy component is expected to gradually decline in line with a phased strategy by the government to eliminate subsidy altogether over the next five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically vulnerable residential customers however will be eligible for some assistance in lieu when the subsidy is fully withdrawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another highlight of 2020, Nama Group reported a 2.82 percent improvement in the utilization of natural gas towards electricity generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The improved efficiency in fuel utilization was attributed to the operationalization of two newly developed Independent Power Projects Sohar-3 and Ibri-1 during the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, electricity losses recorded a slight spike to 9.80 percent in 2020, up from 9.67 percent in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nama Group, comprising as many as 12 subsidiaries, posted a 4.77 percent increase in Group revenue, which climbed to RO 1.31 billion in 2020. Profit After Tax rose 12.29 per cent to RO 67.82 million in 2020. The Group\u2019s total assets reached RO 6.75 billion at the end of last year.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Unprecedented 1.9% decline in Oman\u2019s power demand last year","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"unprecedented-1-9-decline-in-omans-power-demand-last-year","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5343","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Ordinary Yemenis, for their part, often feel a duty to help migrants and refugees, despite the privations of war\u2014Headon explained that people leave out tanks of water for the migrants traversing the deserts of south Yemen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Still, Saida says, she cannot find regular work and she relies on UNHCR\u2019s services to keep her children alive. \u201cThe community health volunteers have helped me a lot. They have helped me take care of my children and put me in touch with specialists, and they taught me how to continue with the treatments,\u201d Saida continued. \u201cThey also taught me how to identify signs of my children relapsing into sickness or having contracted other diseases. Now, thanks be to God, everything is going well with them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Ras al-Ara, some migrants have settled too, carving out careers of sorts for themselves on the fishing dhows and on long sea journeys transporting people like themselves. On a beach dotted with anchored boats the afternoon after the two Mohameds were freed, a young Yemeni man in a sarong was distributing fistfuls of cash to migrants sitting on the ground. At first, the man claimed that the money was payment for work on the boats, but then he suggested that, in fact, the labourers had been working on a farm. It was unclear why they were being paid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The men who sat around him in a circle were mainly African migrants, and they waited shouting and jostling before quietening down, as each man got up, explained to the young man what work he had done and received his money. \u201cI fished more than he did,\u201d one shouted. \u201cWhy are you giving him more money?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the first to get up was Faisal, a 46-year-old Somali man with a pronounced swagger and cracked teeth, his head wrapped in a white turban. He paid around $200 to come to Yemen from Somalia\u2019s Puntland region in 2010, and he has lived in Ras al-Ara for the past seven years. He had worked as a soldier in Puntland, but then he feuded with his brother, lost his job and was forced to leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Ras al-Ara, Faisal works odd jobs to get by. On good days he makes just under $20. \u201cSometimes I work as a fisherman and sometimes I travel to Somalia on a boat to get other Somalis and bring them here.\u201d When he wants to find work, he\u2019ll come to the beach in the evening, wait with other casual labourers, and then fishing captains or smugglers will come and hire him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Headon pointed out that the boats are often packed full to increase smuggling profits and that the smugglers often force people from the boats. Usually, Faisal said, there are about 120 people in each 15-metre dhow. \u201cThey\u2019re overcrowded, and they often sink and many people drown.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Faisal said that the Yemenis had been very accommodating to him. \u201cIt\u2019s almost like a homeland, Yemen now,\u201d he said. Still, he wants most of all to return home once he has saved some money. (IOM and UNHCR run a return programme for Somali refugees, but it has been on hold since the pandemic began.) \u201cFrankly, I don\u2019t like it here,\u201d he said. \u201cMy dream is to return to my country. If I had money, I\u2019d go back to my country directly.\u201d<\/p>\n","post_title":"A Great Unseen Humanitarian Crisis","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"a-great-unseen-humanitarian-crisis","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5383","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5355,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-30 21:14:19","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-30 21:14:19","post_content":"\n originally published:<\/em> 25 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/exclusive-un-tribunal-lebanon-runs-out-funds-beiruts-crisis-spills-over-2021-05-25\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Doctors attend to patients at a UNHCR-supported free primary health-care facility in Aden\u2019s Al-Basateen neighbourhood.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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![\"A](\"https:\/\/exposure.accelerator.net\/production\/photos\/3d0991qwpi2k8a0aocy0qfnjdrhq1b3zsz7f\/original.jpg;resize(800,_).jpg?auto=webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDoctors attend to patients at a UNHCR-supported free primary health-care facility in Aden\u2019s Al-Basateen neighbourhood.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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![\"A](\"https:\/\/exposure.accelerator.net\/production\/photos\/1546xgmedbsrrte5aw6pjey7qjii2c37jauy\/original.jpg;resize(800,_).jpg?auto=webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDoctors attend to patients at a UNHCR-supported free primary health-care facility in Aden\u2019s Al-Basateen neighbourhood.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDoctors attend to patients at a UNHCR-supported free primary health-care facility in Aden\u2019s Al-Basateen neighbourhood.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDoctors attend to patients at a UNHCR-supported free primary health-care facility in Aden\u2019s Al-Basateen neighbourhood.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n