Latest news with #ServiceAgreement
The South African
5 days ago
- Business
- The South African
SASSA beneficiaries just 80 days' away from NEW nightmare
Who can forget the Postbank debacle that left millions of SASSA beneficiaries floundering earlier this year? For no clear reason, SASSA beneficiaries using the Postbank Gold card were told to upgrade to the Black card with only a few weeks' warning. However, not even Postbank staff were able to handle the number of affected SASSA beneficiaries. And even after several deadline extensions, with millions still unassisted countrywide, the department pulled the plug on the Postbank card-swap debacle. POSTBANK SASSA BENEFICIARIES HAVE 80 DAYS Changing your SASSA grant provider is relatively easy, if you haven't done so already. Image: File Nevertheless, while the card swap is no longer necessary for SASSA beneficiaries, there's a new payment nightmare looming on the horizon. Now the Public Protector has flagged serious failures by the South African Social Security Agency and Postbank. Unending delays and irregular staff appointments, there is now no payment alternative in place when SASSA's arrangement with the government entity ends on Tuesday 30 September 2025. As such, the Democratic Alliance's (DA's) Alexandra Abrahams is urging any SASSA beneficiaries still with Postbank to switch to another reputable bank as soon as possible. Postbank's master agreement with SASSA runs out at the end of September. Image: File If the Public Protector's warning rings true, as many as two-million SASSA beneficiaries may not be paid from October 2025 onwards. Investigations into Postbank include allegations of mismanagement of social grants and ineffective implementation of the grant payment systems. Likewise, it is looking into the irregular appointment of former SASSA CEO, Busisiwe Memela-Khambula. In its report, the Public Prosecutor mentioned something that all SASSA beneficiaries still with Postbank should note. 'The Master Service Agreement with Postbank is expiring at the end of September 2025. And an extension of the contract seems implausible, in light of the fundamental compliance issues experienced between SASSA and Postbank. Therefore, affected SASSA beneficiaries should find a new credible service provider,' says the report. Soon the SASSA/Postbank Gold card really will be a thing of the past. Image: File Furthermore, the DA's Alexandra Abrahams has requested that SASSA, Postbank, and the South African Reserve Bank be held to account in Parliament as a matter of urgency. 'SASSA's inability to appoint a credible grant payment service provider has jeopardised the SASSA grant payments of 2 169 371 beneficiaries, including those of Child, Disability and Older Person grants. SASSA beneficiaries require urgent clarity on how their grants will be paid from October 2025 onwards,' concludes Abrahams. ARE YOU WITH POSTBANK AND HAVE YOU CHANGED PROVIDERS YET? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Advertiser
01-07-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Find the expert guide for your financial goals journey
This is branded content for NGS Super. In life, it's always good to have a plan, particularly a financial one. This is the vital plan that involves setting your financial goals and then progressively working toward them. To be confident we're heading in the right direction and making our money work as hard as possible, it's handy to have someone more experienced to guide us - a financial adviser who's an expert in smart strategies to achieve those goals. But what does working with an adviser involve? NGS Super financial expert Trudy Jenkins is here to help us understand what to expect. The best way to prepare for your meeting with a financial planner is to make a list of your questions and be ready to provide details of your situation. "Bring along relevant financial documents to give the planner a clearer picture of your financial situation," says Ms Jenkins. "This might include payslips, super statements, details of other income sources, assets, and any debts you have." The planner's first step will be to ask a series of questions so they can better understand how they can help. "This is your opportunity to share what matters to you and the goals you wish to achieve," says Ms Jenkins. "For example, you may want to optimise your financial position as you approach retirement, or you might be close to retiring and want to understand how your income will be structured going forward. The planner will explain the process, including costs and timeframes. While for some people, the initial meeting may provide enough general guidance to get started, for others it will be the start of an in-depth journey." You may have heard the terms general advice and personal advice. Ms Jenkins says both types can help you achieve your financial goals. However, general advice does not consider your financial situation or needs, while personal advice is tailored to your unique circumstances. "General advice may be appropriate if you simply want broad information, while personal advice is best for more complex situations, like preparing for retirement or investing funds," she said. "Personal advice can cover a wider range of topics, including superannuation, investing, estate planning, and Centrelink entitlements." Both general and personal advice providers must hold an Australian Financial Services Licence, so always ensure you're receiving advice from a licensed professional. At the end of your first meeting, the planner will be able to tell you whether they can assist you with personal financial advice, and you can decide if you'd like to proceed. "During this initial session, the planner will outline any costs and explain the next steps," said Ms Jenkins. "In the next meeting, you'll discuss your views on investing and risk tolerance to ensure recommended investments suit you." Once the planner has the information needed, they'll typically ask you to sign an Advice Service Agreement - your formal agreement to proceed with receiving advice. Your planner will then develop a detailed strategy, and when your plan is ready, you'll be invited to meet with them to review it. "Take your time reviewing the plan before signing associated paperwork," said Ms Jenkins. "Once you're happy, the planner will implement it." To book a free, no-obligation chat with an NGS financial planner, just visit Trudy Jenkins is an Authorised Representative #1234906 of Guideway Financial Services Pty Ltd AFSL #420367. Any advice in this article is general and doesn't take into account your financial situation, needs, or objectives. Before acting on the information, consider your financial circumstances and whether the advice is appropriate for you. Read the Financial Services Guide at This is branded content for NGS Super. In life, it's always good to have a plan, particularly a financial one. This is the vital plan that involves setting your financial goals and then progressively working toward them. To be confident we're heading in the right direction and making our money work as hard as possible, it's handy to have someone more experienced to guide us - a financial adviser who's an expert in smart strategies to achieve those goals. But what does working with an adviser involve? NGS Super financial expert Trudy Jenkins is here to help us understand what to expect. The best way to prepare for your meeting with a financial planner is to make a list of your questions and be ready to provide details of your situation. "Bring along relevant financial documents to give the planner a clearer picture of your financial situation," says Ms Jenkins. "This might include payslips, super statements, details of other income sources, assets, and any debts you have." The planner's first step will be to ask a series of questions so they can better understand how they can help. "This is your opportunity to share what matters to you and the goals you wish to achieve," says Ms Jenkins. "For example, you may want to optimise your financial position as you approach retirement, or you might be close to retiring and want to understand how your income will be structured going forward. The planner will explain the process, including costs and timeframes. While for some people, the initial meeting may provide enough general guidance to get started, for others it will be the start of an in-depth journey." You may have heard the terms general advice and personal advice. Ms Jenkins says both types can help you achieve your financial goals. However, general advice does not consider your financial situation or needs, while personal advice is tailored to your unique circumstances. "General advice may be appropriate if you simply want broad information, while personal advice is best for more complex situations, like preparing for retirement or investing funds," she said. "Personal advice can cover a wider range of topics, including superannuation, investing, estate planning, and Centrelink entitlements." Both general and personal advice providers must hold an Australian Financial Services Licence, so always ensure you're receiving advice from a licensed professional. At the end of your first meeting, the planner will be able to tell you whether they can assist you with personal financial advice, and you can decide if you'd like to proceed. "During this initial session, the planner will outline any costs and explain the next steps," said Ms Jenkins. "In the next meeting, you'll discuss your views on investing and risk tolerance to ensure recommended investments suit you." Once the planner has the information needed, they'll typically ask you to sign an Advice Service Agreement - your formal agreement to proceed with receiving advice. Your planner will then develop a detailed strategy, and when your plan is ready, you'll be invited to meet with them to review it. "Take your time reviewing the plan before signing associated paperwork," said Ms Jenkins. "Once you're happy, the planner will implement it." To book a free, no-obligation chat with an NGS financial planner, just visit Trudy Jenkins is an Authorised Representative #1234906 of Guideway Financial Services Pty Ltd AFSL #420367. Any advice in this article is general and doesn't take into account your financial situation, needs, or objectives. Before acting on the information, consider your financial circumstances and whether the advice is appropriate for you. Read the Financial Services Guide at This is branded content for NGS Super. In life, it's always good to have a plan, particularly a financial one. This is the vital plan that involves setting your financial goals and then progressively working toward them. To be confident we're heading in the right direction and making our money work as hard as possible, it's handy to have someone more experienced to guide us - a financial adviser who's an expert in smart strategies to achieve those goals. But what does working with an adviser involve? NGS Super financial expert Trudy Jenkins is here to help us understand what to expect. The best way to prepare for your meeting with a financial planner is to make a list of your questions and be ready to provide details of your situation. "Bring along relevant financial documents to give the planner a clearer picture of your financial situation," says Ms Jenkins. "This might include payslips, super statements, details of other income sources, assets, and any debts you have." The planner's first step will be to ask a series of questions so they can better understand how they can help. "This is your opportunity to share what matters to you and the goals you wish to achieve," says Ms Jenkins. "For example, you may want to optimise your financial position as you approach retirement, or you might be close to retiring and want to understand how your income will be structured going forward. The planner will explain the process, including costs and timeframes. While for some people, the initial meeting may provide enough general guidance to get started, for others it will be the start of an in-depth journey." You may have heard the terms general advice and personal advice. Ms Jenkins says both types can help you achieve your financial goals. However, general advice does not consider your financial situation or needs, while personal advice is tailored to your unique circumstances. "General advice may be appropriate if you simply want broad information, while personal advice is best for more complex situations, like preparing for retirement or investing funds," she said. "Personal advice can cover a wider range of topics, including superannuation, investing, estate planning, and Centrelink entitlements." Both general and personal advice providers must hold an Australian Financial Services Licence, so always ensure you're receiving advice from a licensed professional. At the end of your first meeting, the planner will be able to tell you whether they can assist you with personal financial advice, and you can decide if you'd like to proceed. "During this initial session, the planner will outline any costs and explain the next steps," said Ms Jenkins. "In the next meeting, you'll discuss your views on investing and risk tolerance to ensure recommended investments suit you." Once the planner has the information needed, they'll typically ask you to sign an Advice Service Agreement - your formal agreement to proceed with receiving advice. Your planner will then develop a detailed strategy, and when your plan is ready, you'll be invited to meet with them to review it. "Take your time reviewing the plan before signing associated paperwork," said Ms Jenkins. "Once you're happy, the planner will implement it." To book a free, no-obligation chat with an NGS financial planner, just visit Trudy Jenkins is an Authorised Representative #1234906 of Guideway Financial Services Pty Ltd AFSL #420367. Any advice in this article is general and doesn't take into account your financial situation, needs, or objectives. Before acting on the information, consider your financial circumstances and whether the advice is appropriate for you. Read the Financial Services Guide at
Trade Arabia
07-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Miahona awarded $267m Jeddah wastewater plant contract
Miahona, a leading Saudi pioneer in water and wastewater infrastructure development, said it has secured an order worth SAR1 billion ($267 million) for the development of a wastewater treatment plant in Jeddah 1st Industrial City. The contract, which is for a long tenure of 25 years, was awarded by the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (Modon). The project scope includes the rehabilitation, development, construction, operation and maintenance of the industrial wastewater treatment systems. It also involves capital investment, land utilisation, service provision and revenue generation through treated water sales, all within the framework of a Rehabilitation, Operation, and Transfer (ROT) model. Miahona said, as per the deal, it will be utilising the site for the project and ensuring the continuity and reliability of providing public services related to wastewater and industrial water treatment. The work also involves treatment of raw wastewater and industrial effluent according to the Service Agreement (SA) as well as marketing and sale of treated water for industrial purposes in accordance with the Service Agreement (SA).
Zawya
07-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Miahona awarded $267mln Jeddah wastewater plant contract
Miahona, a leading Saudi pioneer in water and wastewater infrastructure development, said it has secured an order worth SAR1 billion ($267 million) for the development of a wastewater treatment plant in Jeddah 1st Industrial City. The contract, which is for a long tenure of 25 years, was awarded by the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (Modon). The project scope includes the rehabilitation, development, construction, operation and maintenance of the industrial wastewater treatment systems. It also involves capital investment, land utilisation, service provision and revenue generation through treated water sales, all within the framework of a Rehabilitation, Operation, and Transfer (ROT) model. Miahona said as per the deal, it will be utilising the site for the project and ensuring the continuity and reliability of providing public services related to wastewater and industrial water treatment. The work also involves treatment of raw wastewater and industrial effluent according to the Service Agreement (SA) as well as marketing and sale of treated water for industrial purposes in accordance with the Service Agreement (SA). Miahona will also provide maintenance for external networks and lift stations. -TradeArabia News Service Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
LUCARA ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC SHIFT IN UNDERGROUND PROJECT MANAGEMENT
VANCOUVER, BC, March 31, 2025 /CNW/ - (TSX: LUC) (BSE: LUC) (Nasdaq FNGM: LUC) PDF version Lucara Diamond Corp. ("Lucara" or the "Company") today announced a strategic change in the management of its Karowe underground project ("UGP") in Botswana. The Company has terminated its Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management ("EPCM") contract with JDS Energy & Mining Inc. ("JDS") for the development of the UGP, effective March 31, 2025. The Company has entered into a Master Service Agreement ("MSA") with JDS to complete specific engineering components of the project, while all site-based contracts and activities will transition to owner-managed operations. This decision aligns with Lucara's commitment to optimizing project execution and maximizing shareholder value. The shift to owner-managed operations for site-based activities is expected to provide several benefits, including: Enhanced cost control and operational efficiency Improved flexibility in decision-making and resource allocation Direct oversight of critical project milestones and timelines Leveraging Lucara's extensive in-house expertise and knowledge of the Karowe mine The UGP continues to make significant progress. The production shaft has now reached over 720 meters below surface and the ventilation shaft has now reached over 680 meters below surface. Substantial advancements have been made on the production man and materials winder building, with the majority of the required surface infrastructure already in place. This includes the installation of permanent bulk air coolers and other critical components, positioning the project for continued success as it moves forward under the new management structure. William Lamb, President and CEO of Lucara, commented on the transition: "We are confident that this strategic shift in project management will allow us to better leverage our team's deep understanding of the Karowe mine and its unique characteristics. By taking direct control of site-based activities, we are positioning ourselves to respond more rapidly to project needs and challenges. This approach will enable us to drive the UGP forward with greater efficiency and precision, ultimately delivering enhanced value to our shareholders and stakeholders." The Company appreciates the contributions made by JDS to date and looks forward to their continued involvement under the MSA in specific engineering aspects of the project. Lucara remains committed to the successful development of the UGP, which will extend the life of mine at Karowe and secure its position as a leading producer of large, high-quality diamonds. On behalf of the Board, William LambPresident and Chief Executive Officer Follow Lucara Diamond on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn ABOUT LUCARA Lucara is a leading independent producer of large exceptional quality Type IIa diamonds from its 100% owned Karowe Diamond Mine in Botswana. The Karowe Mine has been in production since 2012 and is the focus of the Company's operations and development activities. Lucara has an experienced board and management team with extensive diamond development and operations expertise. Lucara and its subsidiaries operate transparently and in accordance with international best practices in the areas of sustainability, health and safety, environment, and community relations. Lucara has adopted the IFC Performance Standards and the World Bank Group's Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines for Mining (2007). Accordingly, the development of the Karowe underground project ("UGP") adheres to the Equator Principles. Lucara is committed to upholding high standards while striving to deliver long-term economic benefits to Botswana and the communities in which the Company operates. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The information is information that Lucara is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The Company's certified adviser on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market is Bergs Securities AB, ca@ +46 739 49 62 50. This information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, on March 31, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements as defined in applicable securities laws (collectively referred to as "forward-looking statements"). These statements relate to future events or our future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the estimation of mineral resources, cost and timing of the development of deposits and estimated future production, the economic potential of mineralized areas, expectations that the Karowe underground project will extend mine life, forecasts of revenues, future production activity, the future price and demand for, and supply of, diamonds, the project schedule and capital costs for the Karowe underground project, the diamond sales, production and cost estimates, and our expectations regarding the scheduling of activities for the Karowe underground project. By their nature, forward-looking statements and information involve assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are usually beyond the control of management, that could cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed by these forward-looking statements and information. Forward-looking information and statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made, and they are subject to several known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. Readers and investors should not place undue reliance on such statements. Certain risks which could impact the Company are discussed under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's most recent MD&A and Annual Information Form available at SEDAR+ at Forward-looking information and statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and accordingly are subject to change after such date. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to revise any forward-looking information and statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such information and statements. All forward-looking information and statements contained or incorporated by reference in this news release are qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements. SOURCE Lucara Diamond Corp. View original content to download multimedia: Sign in to access your portfolio
