Kenya looks set to crack down on copper-cable thieves, with parliament introducing amended legislation that will see perpetrators facing fines of Sh5m (R500 000) or 10 years in jail. Under current Kenyan law, the destruction of electricity and power cables is punishable by a fine of Sh100 000 (R10 000), a jail term of three years, or both. The amended legislation is awaiting the signature of President Mwai Kibaki. Source: Business Daily Africa
Nigeria to get solar-powered broadband
The West Africa and Middle East-based Shyam Group is to build a solar-powered broadband telecommunications network in Nigeria called WorldGSM. The network will specifically target rural areas and who spend US$3/month or less on their communication needs. Shyam Group chairman Rajiv Mehrotra says that in remote parts of Nigeria there is either no electricity grid or power is available for only a few hours each day. Source: Vanguard Nigeria
Nigeria cracks down on piracy
The Nigerian Copyright Commission has promised “zero tolerance” on software pirates in a market where software piracy is estimated at 82%. The commission has raided an unnamed Lagos-based firm of estate managers and valuers as part of a crackdown. “Consumers of pirated software must realise they will be punished for contravening the law and putting people’s livelihoods, as well as the economy of the country as a whole, at risk,” says the commission deputy director of enforcement, Augustine Amodu. Source: Vanguard Nigeria
- Image: Eelke Dekker
