World Report

Cabinda’s government has increased primary school attendance and established teacher training programmes.

abinda’s provincial government has made significant progress in strengthening basic health services, improving public utilities and reconstructing provincial infrastructure throughout the last three years. With new social projects in education, rural development and entrepreneurship at the top of the list, empowering the local population is a priority.

The free distribution of school supply kits to primary school children began in 2003. That year the government also started its school snacks programme. The snacks, comprised of milk and biscuits, have helped in ensuring at least a small increase in daily nourishment for 80,000 children.

Teacher training has also been a priority focus and the government has sponsored teacher-training projects in cooperation with a number of international NGOs. Higher education and technical training for older students will be provided through two new professional training centres, and plans for opening an engineering faculty at the provincial university in the capital are underway.

Regarding the promotion of small- and medium-sized businesses, a major project has been launched with funding from Chevron Texaco and USAID. The project is particularly aimed at revitalising agricultural activity and building the production capacity of local farmers. The government has also provided funding to support the commercial fishing industry, and supplies 15 boats per year. Fishermen are responsible for equipping the boats with engines, and loans are made available through the government.

The province’s rural areas are also a concern. A programme for subsidising the cost of zinc sheets, the material most commonly used in the province for roofing, has distributed more than 70,000 sheets to date. In the meantime, another project for the local production of petroleum lamps has had considerable success in improving rural lighting. Petroleum for the lamps is distributed through local authorities at discounted rates.