Department of State Begins Construction on New U.S. Consulate General in Lagos, Nigeria

03/31/2022 08:08 AM EDT

Office of the Spokesperson

At a historic groundbreaking ceremony highlighting the enduring bilateral friendship and partnership between the United States and Nigeria, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu joined U.S. Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard and U.S. Consul General Claire Pierangelo on Thursday to officially mark the beginning of construction of a new, modern U.S. Consulate General in Lagos.

Located on a 12.2-acre site in the rapidly developing Eko Atlantic City on Victoria Island, the new U.S. Consulate General in Lagos will support diplomatic and commercial relations between the United States and Nigeria and will provide U.S. and Nigerian Consulate employees with a safe, secure, sustainable, and modern workplace.  The construction project will take approximately five years, with completion expected in 2027.

Ennead Architects LLP of New York is the design architect, Pernix Federal, LLC of Lombard, Illinois, is the design/build contractor, and EYP, Inc. of Albany, New York, is the architect of record.  A variety of energy efficiency strategies will be incorporated into the site and building design to address varied seasonal conditions and to significantly reduce energy demand.

The new Consulate construction project will directly benefit the Nigerian people.  Over the course of construction, an estimated $95 million will be invested in the local economy through local subcontractors, and suppliers.  Overall, the project will employ approximately 2,500 Nigerian citizens, including engineers, architects, artisans, construction workers, and administrative staff.

Since the start of the Department’s Capital Security Construction Program in 1999, OBO has completed 171 new diplomatic facilities.  OBO currently has more than 50 active projects either in the design phase or under construction worldwide.

OBO provides safe, secure, functional, and resilient facilities that represent the U.S. government to the host nation and that support U.S. diplomats in advancing U.S. foreign policy objectives abroad.

For further information, please contact Christine Foushee at FousheeCT@state.gov or visit www.state.gov/obo.

 

We've invested in new Community Safety Enforcement Officers   We know how important it is for you to live in a borough where you feel safe and we’re working hard to tackle anti-social behaviour and reduce crime. That’s why over the last year, we have implemented a number of measures to continue to achieve this, including investing in a new Community Safety Enforcement Team. We recently went out with two members of the team to hear what they get up to on a daily basis and how they work closely with the police to ensure that you feel safe when out and about in the borough. Click here to find out what else we're doing to keep the borough safe.

 

Thames Freeport grows one-year on It’s been a year since the launch of the Thames Freeport and the demand from businesses wanting to relocate to the area is sky high, according to those behind the initiative. The Freeport links Ford’s world-class Dagenham engine plant with the global ports at London Gateway and Tilbury. The sites have experienced unparalleled demand, with an array of businesses from a range of sectors seeking to take advantage of the substantial financial incentives offered by the Freeport, helping to transform the economic fortunes of the Thames Estuary in the coming years and provide more jobs for local people.

 

Check out our virtual social care recruitment event this March It’s an exciting time to be part of our social work team in Children’s Services. We're investing in our staff to make sure they can dedicate their time to children, young people, and families in the borough. We want to achieve excellent outcomes, and we recognise that our social workers do a tough but rewarding job. We're committed to learning and development, which is why we are a sponsor for the Festival of Learning organised by Community Care. If you are interested in coming to work for our social care team, join us at our free online Festival of Learning recruitment event on Thursday 31 March and find out more about the opportunities that exist in our borough. You’ll hear from our Operational Director for Children’s Care and Support, our Principal Social Worker, and social workers on what it’s like to work here, how we support staff and much more. The evening will be hosted by Dame Lorna Boreland-Kelly and you'll have the chance to ask questions and find out more about current vacancies. Click here to book your free place at our Festival of Learning recruitment event.

 

Are you looking for work in the construction industry? Are you interested in working in the construction industry? If so, head on over to the Barking Learning Centre in Barking Town Centre on Wednesday 16 March between 10.30am and 1pm to speak to employers and apply for roles available within the borough. You will discover a whole host of job vacancies, as well as receive professional careers advice and guidance. There’ll be a job brokerage service, a construction desk from the Barking and Dagenham Job Shop, and a CV service. Employers expected to attend include McLaren, Jerram Falkus, BDTP, Mulalley, JBT Apprenticeships, Be First, and Jobcentre Plus. Don’t forget to bring your CV with you – or have an up-to-date digital version you can email straight across to employers. For further details about the jobs fair, please email construction@lbbd.gov.uk.

 

It's Women's Empowerment Month - celebrate with us You’re invited to enjoy a jam-packed programme of events including exhibitions, workshops and performances, as part of this year’s Women’s Empowerment Month. Our borough is full of strong, inspirational women and girls and throughout March we’ll be marking their fantastic contribution to Barking and Dagenham. Now in its eighth year, our annual celebrations kicked-off with a flag-raising event at Barking Town Hall, last Tuesday, 1 March, and you can attend a host of online and in-person events throughout the month, including a series of writing workshops and discussion panels run through our Pen-to-Print programme. There are also a number of events and exhibitions planned by partner organisations, including the East End Women’s Museum, Sew London CIC, Arc Theatre, Company Drinks and Studio 3 Arts. The programme has something for everyone, so please do get involved. Click here to see what events are taking place for Women’s Empowerment Month in Barking and Dagenham.

 New Community Hubs offer tailored support for residents

The first in a wave of Community Hubs will open in centres at Marks Gate, William Bellamy and Sue Bramley later this month, offering the help you need, nearer to where you live.

As people face the biggest cost of living crisis in years, the new Community Hubs will provide a range of tailored support including benefits and debt advice, access to food and support, jobs and training, family and parenting help, and advice to care for your health and wellbeing.

More Community Hubs will be unveiled across the borough later in the year, making it even easier for you to access help and advice on your doorstep. 

The launch of the Community Hubs was announced as the council approved its budget proposals for 2022/23 at a full council meeting on Wednesday, 2 March. 

 

Travel by public transport, walk, or cycle

Did you know that if you live, work or study in the borough, you can access free cycle training by contacting Vandome Cycles at: info@vandomecycles.co.uk 

You can also reduce your carbon footprint by walking shorter distances... or longer distances if you want to get your daily step count up! 

Check if you're entitled to free or discounted travel on the TfL network here.

 The Kremlin’s Allegations of Chemical and Biological Weapons Laboratories in Ukraine

03/09/2022 05:40 PM EST

Ned Price, Department Spokesperson

The Kremlin is intentionally spreading outright lies that the United States and Ukraine are conducting chemical and biological weapons activities in Ukraine.  We have also seen PRC officials echo these conspiracy theories.  This Russian disinformation is total nonsense and not the first time Russia has invented such false claims against another country.  Also, these claims have been debunked conclusively and repeatedly over many years.

As we have said all along, Russia is inventing false pretexts in an attempt to justify its own horrific actions in Ukraine. The United States does not own or operate any chemical or biological laboratories in Ukraine, it is in full compliance with its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and Biological Weapons Convention, and it does not develop or possess such weapons anywhere. It is Russia that has active chemical and biological weapons programs and is in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and Biological Weapons Convention.

Finally, Russia has a track record of accusing the West of the very crimes that Russia itself is perpetrating. These tactics are an obvious ploy by Russia to try to justify further premeditated, unprovoked, and unjustified attacks on Ukraine. We fully expect Russia to continue to double down on these sorts of claims with further unfounded allegations.

Visit the Repair Cafe

This Saturday, come along to the Repair Cafe at the Barking Learning Centre, 11am-2pm. Bring along your clothing items in need of repair, a bike in need of MOT, or a small household item that needs a bit of TLC.

The event is free to attend, no booking is required, and will be supported by The Baby Bank HQ, Trailnet CIC, and TLCReUse. 

 U.S.-EU Joint Press Release by the EEAS and Department of State on the First U.S.-EU High-Level Dialogue on Russia

03/30/2022 07:41 PM EDT

The European Union and the United States held today in Washington, D.C., the first U.S.-EU High-Level Dialogue on Russia.  Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland represented the United States and European External Action Service Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs Enrique Mora represented the European Union.  This high-level meeting follows the commitments taken at the June 2021 U.S.-EU Summit, where both sides resolved to coordinate U.S. and EU policies and actions related to Russia.  This inaugural session focused on U.S. and EU strategic objectives and policy coordination aimed at ending Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

Under Secretary Nuland and Deputy Secretary General Mora welcomed the exceptional unity shown at the recent European Council, extraordinary NATO Leaders’ Meeting, and G7 Leaders’ Meeting.  They condemned the Kremlin’s unprovoked, unjustifiable, and barbaric war against Ukraine, also enabled by the Belarusian government.  The Russian military attacks striking civilians are causing massive loss of life and injury to civilians and must stop immediately.  They noted that the United States and the European Union will work to track reports of war crimes and will share information gathered with allies, partners, international institutions and organizations, as appropriate, and use every tool available to hold the perpetrators to account.

Under Secretary Nuland and Deputy Secretary General Mora welcomed the coordination between the United States and the European Union in implementing unprecedented sanctions and export control measures in response to Russia’s aggression and discussed continued close cooperation in coordination with the G7 to ensure stringent implementation of these measures.  They also discussed additional steps to isolate Russia further from the U.S. and EU economies and the international financial system to impose severe costs on Russia for its actions.

The two sides emphasized the necessity of consolidating international support for the government and people of Ukraine and of holding the government of Russia to account.  They welcomed the growing number of countries applying sanctions and export control measures since Russia’s invasion, including countries implementing them for the first time, and reiterated their commitment to further expanding the coalition and strengthening enforcement of these measures.  They underlined the importance of insisting that China supports an immediate end to hostilities, the establishment of humanitarian corridors, and preventing any risks of further escalation.  They also underscored that they will continue to urge China not to circumvent nor undermine sanctions against Russia, and not to provide any form of support to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

Under Secretary Nuland and Deputy Secretary General Mora discussed U.S. and EU efforts to increase humanitarian support to all people who have been internally displaced or forced to flee as a result of Putin’s war.  They briefed on U.S. and EU initiatives to provide coordinated political, financial, material and humanitarian support to the government and people of Ukraine.  They recognized the need to maintain high-level attention and support to the Republic of Moldova and to work together to strengthen its resilience.  They also discussed their ongoing efforts to support the democratic forces inside and outside of Belarus in defending and advancing human rights, including freedom of expression, and free and fair elections under international observation.

They took stock of U.S. and EU efforts to counter the Kremlin’s propaganda and disinformation and to reduce Europe’s reliance on Russian energy.  They underscored that the United States and EU stand with Russian civil society, independent journalists, and youth whose future and voices are under increasing threat within Russia and with those who have been forced to flee the country.   They also recognized continued U.S.-EU cooperation toward long-term peace, resilience, and stability in the wider region, including South Caucasus.

Under Secretary Nuland and Deputy Secretary General Mora decided to continue meetings in this dialogue, with the next high-level meeting to take place in late 2022.