₦airaland Forum

Lagos, Nigeria - This is the development prospects full of confidence of Nigerian Lekki Free Trade Zone. The construction of Lekki Free Trade Zone is carried out like a raging fire on the rich and charming Lekki Peninsula. The grand blueprint is rapidly becoming reality on the hot land along the Atlantic Ocean.

Nigerian Lekki Free Trade Zone is the overseas economic and trade cooperation zone which is primarily constructed by Nanjing Jiangning Economic and technical Development Zone responding to the strategy of "going out to the world" of Chinese government. It is located in the Lekki Peninsula which is in the southeast of Lagos State, the economic center of Nigeria. It abuts the vast Atlantic Ocean in the south and the quiet and graceful Lekki lagoon in the north. The geographical position is strategic and it is 60 kilometers away from the city center of Lagos, 70 kilometers away from Lagos International Airport and only 8 kilometers away from the new International Airport which is planned to be built by Nigerian government.

The total planning area of Lekki Free Trade Zone is 165 square kilometers with a favorable development environment:

The first is the extra large market demand: The population of Nigeria is about 137 million and that of the surrounding West African Economic Community is about 500 million. But the local industry is fragile and more than 90% of the products rely on import, so the market potential is considerable; the second is the favorable export advantages: Nigeria is a signatory state of Lome Convention ,so the products made in Nigeria are entitled to exporting to Europe and the United States,,enjoying no quota restrictions and low tariff ; the third is the rich natural resources. Nigeria are very rich in oil, natural gas, wood, minerals and other natural resources . The foreign capital can utilize the local resources to process production or explore various kinds of resources through project development and commodity trade; the fourth is that it is in line with the strategy of “going out to the world” of Chinese government. Now Chinese light industry, textile industry, machinery and household appliances and many other fields have overplus production capacity and it is high time for them to find new development space. Lekki Free Trade Zone provides a new development platform for those enterprises that go out to the world in groups and it can effectively reduce the risk of individual enterprise’s overseas investment.

China has 50 years’ franchise rights and 99 years’ right of land usage of Lekki Free Trade Zone. The enterprises in the Free Trade Zone will enjoy a series of preferential policies: first, all the raw and processed materials, finished products, machinery and equipment, consumer goods used for enterprise production and other goods related to the investment projects in the zone will be free from import duty and be of no quota restrictions; second, when all the products produced and manufactured in the zone enter into the Nigerian market, the tariff will be calculated based on the prices of the raw material and the components and parts instead of the finished products; third, the investment capital stock of foreign capital and its profits can be withdrawn at any moment; the profits and dividend obtained from foreign capital can also be freely remitted; fourth, there is no quota restrictions for the export of these products made in the zone to Europe and the United States.

Currently, there are more than 120 enterprises who have signed the Letter of Intention of investing Lekki Free Trade Zone. As for the infrastructure, the 10 square kilometers’ construction frame is under construction in Lekki Free Trade Zone. The standard factory buildings of 30,000 square meters, the municipal highway of 21 kilometers and the customs bayonet building with completed functions will be finished in 2008 and it provides the adequate and systematic service for those enterprises to enter into the zone and operate production.

The prospective Lekki Free Trade Zone will be constructed to be the large-scale comprehensive industrial base in Nigeria and even in Africa and bring along the reasonable transfer of Chinese capacity. It is expected to be the “Hong Kong of African” and to become the milestone in the cooperation between China and Nigeria as well as between China and Africa.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=19613304&postcount=24

Sunday, December 14, 2008 - The promoters of the Lagos (Lekki) Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) have received the approval of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Lagos State government to build the first private and deep sea port in Lekki, 60 kilometres away from the Lagos metropolis. It would cost them $6 billion on completion.

According to the Project Director, Mr. Peter Banham, the port would be ready for commercial activities in 2011 to fully contribute to the success of the Federal Government's Vision 2020 goal. The vision is aimed at making the country one of the 20 top economies in the world.

Banham, who addressed newsmen in Lagos over the weekend, said the port would operate as a hub port besides being the first deep seaport in the country.

The port on completion, would be involved in containers, general cargoes and grains operations.

"The rationale behind the port is to provide a deep water port for Nigeria and allow larger vessels to berth. It is also to relieve the congestion in Lagos/Apapa ports. The site at Lekki is most ideally located to accommodate deep drafted vessels. The undersea contours allow the building of a deep channel most economically at Lekki. Also the port is located to take advantage of the future development of the new Lagos Free Trade Zone", he said.

Banham, who has been in shipping business for over four decades now, said everything has been concluded to enable the construction contract to be awarded in March 2009 as the channel dredging would hopefully commence in July 2010, he added.

According to him: "Phase one will be between 1.2/1.4 million TEUS (20' containers) and approx capable of handling 3,000,000 tons of break-bulk cargo. Phase two, when more land becomes available the port could handle over 2m TEUS, 3,000,000 tons of Bulk and up to 1M tones of liquid cargoes. Apart from approval by the NPA, and Lagos State government, the port project is privately owned and funded", he said.

The Guardian had reported that a group of foreign investors were concluding plans to establish the first deep sea and first hub port in Lagos, Nigeria. It would cost a whooping $6 billion on completion.

The port, being sponsored by investors from the United Kingdom and India and who are already operating multi-national companies in the country, would be ready for public use by the year 2010.

Many of the new port promoters told disclosed that it would be located within the Lagos Free Trade Zone in Lekki area of the metropolis.

http://happylagosian..com/2008/12/npa-lagos-approve-6-billion-first-deep.html

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:38 - The Lekki Free Trade Zone is located on the Lekki Peninsula southeast of the city of Lagos on the Lekki Lagoon. It is a new city under development and is one of the fastest developing urban areas with an annual economic growth rate of 16.8%.

Close to the vast market that is the metropolis of Lagos, a planned deep sea port will provide exporters with even better access to regional and international markets. At the core of the development strategy adopted for the FTZ is a public private partnership. A highly successful collaboration with a consortium of Chinese companies has already seen the installation of major infrastructure as part of phase one. This infrastructure includes a specially dedicated power plant to ensure that the zone is well served for energy and is independent of the national grid. Similarly, water and sewage treatment plants are under construction to cater to the rapidly developing city.

There is abundant land available for industrial projects. The first phase comprised the development of 3 000 hectares and a 350-hectare launch area was planned for commissioning in May 2008.

The sea port is planned to maximise the area's prime position with the type of industries set to develop around the port being heavy industries such as petrochemicals and oil refineries.

The zone will be sealed by fencing walls and dedicated police stations will provide good security, while the 80km-long Lekki-Epe expressway will soon link the zone to central Lagos. Manufacturers in all sectors are encouraged to take advantage of the benficial position of Lekki FTZ – and the very beneficial trading conditions for producers and exporters associated with a free trade zone. There are openings and access to a plentiful supply of raw materials for investors in fields such as agri-processing, clothing and textiles, food and beverages, forestry, mining and pharmaceuticals.

Opportunities in almost every imaginable sphere abound as the vision for Lekki FTZ envisages the creation of everything needed in a modern city: industry (light and heavy), commerce, retail, housing and tourism. The beaches adjoining Lekki's lagoon and oceanfront are the site of considerable activity already, with a golf course under construction and plans in place for various hotels, beach resorts and private villas. Fitness and spa centres and conference facilities are also planned, with a five-acre mixed development (one, two and three-bedroom apartments) designed to house employees of the various hospitality ventures.

Economic reform has been underway in Nigeria since 1999 and has served to markedly improve the investment environment and encourage the private sector as the driving force for economic growth. Good results have been achieved in the privatisation of heavily subsidised government-owned enterprises in the fields of energy, telecoms and transportation. An anti-corruption policy is being pursued with commitment and vigour by the Nigerian federal government in order to achieve higher efficiency rates and better service. These reforms have resulted in transparency and openness in Nigeria’s economic development and have removed the bureaucratic obstacles that hindered the development of the economic private sector.

Nigeria's high level of openness, the abolition of restrictions on foreign ownership of business and free repatriation of foreign investment capital and profits, huge consumer market potential, rich energy resources and abundant human resources have made the country one of the destinations with the highest profit yield and investment returns in the world. As the 'economic capital' of Nigeria, Lagos is the economic, financial and trade hub of the country and West Africa. The Lekki Free Trade Zone is the culmination of the more liberal investment policies of the federal and Lagos State governments.

As the sole executive administration of the zone, Lekki Free Trade Zone Development Company will consist of representatives from various relevant government departments of both China and Nigeria, including Customs authorities, the Lagos State government and the Nigeria Export Process Zone Authority (NEPZA) so as to ensure the maximised granting of the preferential policies and incentives for investors in the zone. The incentives available to investors in the Lekki FTZ are among the most favourable in Africa and compare very well with those offered anywhere in the world. They include: 100% foreign ownership of investment; one-stop approvals; no import or export licenses; tax holidays; unrestricted remittance of capital and duty free importation of raw materials. In addition, products made in Nigeria enjoy preferential tariff concessions in the European Union.

Investors interested in opportunities at the Lekki Free Trade Zone should contact:

Lekki Worldwide Investments Limited
Contact: Mr TAB Disu - Managing Director
Email: infonigeria@gan.co.za

http://www.tradeinvestnigeria.com/news/615938.htm

Aug 13, 2008 - Lagos Sate Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Wednesday assured developers and stakeholders in the Lekki corridor that the proposed comprehensive master plan for the area would incorporate all developments already included in the approved layout plan for the area.

The Governor who spoke at the public presentation and stakeholders forum on the comprehensive master plan for Lekki sub-region held at the Lagoon Restaurant, Victoria Island, added that the master plan as presented should not be viewed as a project to be awarded but a projection and plan for the future about how the land of the people should be used.

He added that the State Government believes it is a process which everybody should contribute to its making.

In his words: “we have brought it to the open so that the owners of the land, the users of the land, the builders of the land, the architects and town planners can participate in developing the master plan into what the government thinks it should be”.

Governor Fashola informed that the master plan has incorporated the Free Trade Zone, the deep seaport, centre of industrial activities and employment, a new airport, an International Golf Course and Oso Lekki Cultural Festival (seasonal meeting of the Atlantic Ocean and fresh water Lagoon) to attract international tourism and business, two alternative highways to the Lekki- Epe expressway and power plants for the whole sub area among others.

Governor Fashola explained that when the master plan is fully in place, the state would have succeeded in ensuring total remaking of the physical, town planning and urban laws of Lagos State which is currently undergoing reforms.

He declared that from the presentations, it has been revealed that government should now focus more on developments on the Lagoon rather than the Atlantic which hitherto has been the centre of all activities adding that it is safer and calmer to develop the Lagoon.

Explaining that as a popularly elected administration, the government takes care to carry the citizenry along at all times, Governor Fashola recalled that in the last twenty four hours, he has held discussions with many stakeholders including those involved in sand dredging who have through their activities also raised some issues which borders on ecology, safety and coastal challenges facing Lagos.

He added that the future oriented Lekki Master plan has also taken cognizance of such issues in such a way that development lines must be set and such parametres adhered to by practitioners to ensure safety and preservation of the eco system.

Governor Fashola said when completed, it can be categorically asserted that XYZ roads would be in a particular area, insisting that whether it would be a possibility would depend on the willingness of the stakeholders to agree that it is the law that will regulate what happens in the area.

Said he: “In foreign jurisdictions, the town planning laws are part of the curriculum of the children from primary school such that they can predict what will happen in their cities and states at any particular period of time”.

He said the new plan would make any land in the area attractive for real estate investment, such that any would be investor has the confidence that “this people would be developing in the lagoon, I can put an hotel there, not that I have to put an hotel there only to discover later that it is a shanty”.

He informed that adequate provision has also been made for disposal of waste and storm water which has been responsible for devaluing many estates across Lagos and Nigeria.

The Governor reiterated that from the propositions of the consultants, it is clear that what has been developed in Lekki as at today which is only the Western side needs a lot of infrastructure to upgrade and that government is already addressing the upgrading through expansion of the Lekki- Epe Expressway and development of the coastal roads.

Governor Fashola promised that the third part of the upgrade is the provision of the Fourth Mainland Bridge which the present administration committed itself to as an electoral promise which it would redeem.

He also informed that water transportation is also being developed with Badore, Ikorodu, Oworonshoki and the Lagoon serving as the hub which will see the construction of three new ferry terminals and jetties at Badore, Ipakodo and Osborne foreshore in Ikoyi opposite the Dolphin Estate.

He recalled that the need to arrest uncontrolled and unplanned development and growth, to re-order the present and plan for the future has informed the decision of the government to prepare an Infrastructure Master Plan for the Lekki sub- region.

He said although a huge population can and should be an asset, uncontrolled urban sprawl and poor planning , resulting in traffic jams, inadequate waste management , inefficient transportation , regular power outages, congestion, pollution and economic dislocations are some of the challenges being faced in the area.

The Lagos State Governor explained that the Lekki Infrastructure and Land Use Master Plan is a partnership between the Lagos State Government and the primary stakeholders in the sub region aimed at introducing order and functionality into the Lekki Sub- region to rescue the huge investments and the environment from going to waste.

He called for questions, suggestions and constructive criticisms from the members of the public, especially on how the report would affect them, on areas that may have been omitted in the report and on areas that require amendments or further explanation respectively, “not only at this meeting but also through the website designated for the purpose which is www.lagosstategov.ng/web/physical_planning/lekki_masterplan.com, E-mail-memo@lasg-prppbc.com, assuring that the various contributions would be reflected in the final plan which, he said, would be signed into law after consideration by the State Legislature.

Declaring the Stakeholders Forum open, the Governor, who said he was humbled and grateful for the privilege to be the one to lead Lagosians across the bridge “towards a brighter rewarding future”, expressed the hope that the forum would produce “a Master Plan that will be an investment document for the entire region, the whole of Lagos Mega-City and beyond”.

In his presentation of the master plan, the managing partner of Dar al Handersah, Shair and Partners, Mr. Hathan Abduejabar vividly said the team has taken its time to draw out a master plan which would ensure that the Lekki sub region become a new treasure city that Lagos would be proud of.

In their contributions, the stakeholders committee through its spokesperson, Town Planner M.O Ajayi said that the committee expects the state government to ensure the active participation of the local Governments along with other stakeholders in the implementation of the final approved plan.

He concluded that: “we of the stakeholders’ forum congratulate ourselves for this epoch making achievement and event and invite all of you to join us in the implementation of the plan so that we can have the Lagos of our dreams”.

In his contribution, the Oba of Lagos, HRM Oba Rilwan Akiolu commended the Governor for his far reaching initiatives at developing the Lekki Sub- region and Lagos in general describing him as a man who is determined to succeed and take the State to higher heights.

The Royal father also appealed to the state government to consider the land owners in the scheme of things so that adequate care can be taken of their interest on the land in the corridor when the final master plan is considered.

Also contributing, the Ojomu of Ajiranland, Oba Akinloye appealed to the state government to take the landowners and families along in the development process.

Earlier in his welcome address, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Town Planner Francisco Abosede explained that the world’s urban population in 2008 is estimated to be 3.3 Billion whilst it is equally projected that it will grow by 48 percent to 4.9 billion by Year 2030.

He added that the resultant effects of rapid urbanization require new infrastructure such as motorable roads, potable water, energy, health facilities and effective communication networks.

http://www.tundefashola.com/archives/news/2008/08/13/20080813N01.html

The objective of this report is to provide the conceptual designs for the roads and utilities and primary infrastructure for the Lekki Peninsula based on the updated landuse Master Plan which was presented and discussed with the Ministry of Urban Planning and Physical Development, local authorities and stakeholders. The Lekki Sub-Region comprises a naturally formed peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean East of Lagos City and on Lagos Lagoon. The peninsula is approximately 70 to 80 km long, stretching from Victoria Island in the west to Refuge Island in the east, with an average width of 10 km.

The Lekki Sub-Region includes several Estates, gated residential developments, agricultural farmlands, areas allocated for a Free Trade Zone (FTZ), an airport, and a sea port. The project area, under consideration in this study, is estimated to be about 60,000 hectares excluding the areas allocated for the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Sea Port and International airport. The proposed landuse master plan for the Lekki Sub-region envisages the Lekki Peninsula as a “Blue-Green” Environment City. The unique characteristics of the Atlantic Coast, Lagos Lagoon and the inland natural areas will be protected and enhanced to give Lekki New City the special natural ambience character. Based on the proposed landuse plan, Lekki new city will be divided into 5 linear development zones (excluding the Lekki Free Trade Zone):


• The Lagoon Zone – tourism with mixed uses, commercial and business.

• The North Urban Zone – largely new residential.

• The Natural Park Zone – environmental and nature conservation park.

• The South Urban Zone – existing and new residential with commercial and mixed uses as well as light industry.

• The Atlantic Coastal Zone – mainly tourism and recreational.


In addition, the updated landuse master plan will provide a total built-up area of about 10,380 hectares and can accommodate a residential population of about 3.4 Million persons and non-residential population, such as touristic, hotels, commercial, offices, medical (hospitals and clinics) and industrial, of about 1.9 Million persons.

The report includes a thorough assessment of the existing situation, analysis of all available data and information, proposed transport systems (light rail, water transport and road network) as well as discussions on alternative schemes for the provision of utilities within Lekki New City based on the updated Maser Plan, including recommended alternatives and associated budgetary cost estimates for infrastructure implementation. The report is organized in several sections covering all the sectors of the study namely planning parameters, environmental constraints, roads and transport studies, water supply, wastewater collection and disposal, stormwater management and solid waste management as well as power and telecommunication provision.

In brief, the Lekki Corridor is seen as one of the most dynamic growth areas in Lagos State, where it provides an enormous opportunity to satisfy the increasing demands of Lagos. The basis for the preparation of the landuse master plan is presented in the report, including the project area context and location, vision and master plan concept. The proposed systems that are necessary to meet the projected demands on utilities are discussed and can be summarized as follows:


♦ Environmental Policy Framework: Environmental guidelines that should be considered within the development with emphasis on proposed infrastructure systems are presented. These are intended to serve as the basis for the detailed designs of infrastructure systems within each identified development on the Lekki Peninsula.


♦ Water Transport System: The review of the previous studies related to water transport within the Lekki Peninsula is presented and recommendations for future studies that need to be conducted for the implementation of an appropriate water transport scheme are also included.


♦ Light Rail System: Potential alignment of the light rail system within the Lekki Peninsula is presented. Locations where special measures need to be considered, such as within Lekki Scheme 1, are identified for further consideration in detailed studies/designs.


♦ Road Networks: The proposed road network that will link the different zones/developments within the Lekki Peninsula is presented along with the proposed right of ways and typical road sections. The road network was designed based on the proposed landuse plan and traffic assessment studies.


♦ Landscaping and Landscape Irrigation: The general concepts for landscaping of the various road classifications is included for consideration during the next stages of the development, including the proposed scheme for irrigation.


♦ Water Supply and Fire fighting Water: Different alternatives for the provison of water to Lekki New City are considered. These are based on the current plans of the water authorities for the provision of water. Recommendations related to the consideration of alternate sources of water are also discussed and included in the report.


♦ Stormwater Collection disposal: The presented scheme for stormwater drainage/management scheme identifies the location an dimensions of drainage canals that need to be implemented during the urbnization of the various zones within the Lekki Peninsula.


♦ Wastewater Collection, treatment and disposal: Several alternatives for wastewater collection, treatment and disposal are considered and discussed in the report. The recommended system involves decentralized wastewater treatment facilities that optimizes the.cost of the collection network and that of treatment facilities.


♦ Solid Waste Management: The quantities of the solid waste that will be generated within Lekki New City and schemes for its collection and disposal are presented. These generally conform to the proposed Schemes by the Local Authority, LAWMA.


♦ Power Supply: The estimated total electrical demand based on the proposed landuse plan, builtup areas and activities envisaged within Lekki New City is included along with recommendations fo the transmission and distribution systems for power to the various zones in the Lekki Peninsula.


♦ Telecommunication Network: The conceptual designs for the provision of telecommunication services that are necessary to develop Lekki New City as a smart city is presented. The main supply system of telecommunications services to the various proposed developments along with the potential locations for exchange centers are provided for consideration during the detailed design and implementation stages for the Lekki Peninsula.


http://www.lagosstate.gov.ng/web/Physical_Planning/Lekki_Master_Plan

Kelvin Ebiri

Port Harcourt - The Rivers State government says it would soon conclude an agreement with Transcorp Hilton Corporation Nigeria for the construction of a Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Port Harcourt.

The 60-storey hotel would be located at the site of the Rivers State Transport Corporation, (RTC), Waterlines junction by Olu Obasanjo Road, Port Harcourt.

Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Ogbonna Nwuke, said work on the project is expected to commence in January 2009. He explained that already, Transcorp Hilton has raised an initial sum of $500 million for the project and $1 million as guarantee should it fail to appear on site within one month.

Nwuke said under the agreement, Rivers State, which would own a 20 per cent equity in the investment, would make land available as its own contribution to the project, in line with the public-private-partnership arrangement.

He also disclosed that the state government has entered into an agreement with an undisclosed South African firm to revitalise and manage the Port Harcourt International Airport Hotel, Omagwa, under a public-private-partnership arrangement.

The Commissioner said another agreement has been reached with a South African firm, Shop Rite, to manage the multi-billion naira state-owned shopping Mall under construction at the GRA Junction, Port Harcourt.

Nwuke said the benefits from the ventures would include the creation of employment opportunities for indigenes of the state and revenue for the state government.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Urban Development, Mr. Osima Gina, has said that a vast area of land belonging to the state government has been recovered between Okija and Olu-Obasanjo Road, following the urban renewal initiative carried out in the area.

[url=http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/homes_property/article10//indexn3_html?pdate=081208&ptitle=Transcorp%20plans%20$500m%20Port%20Harcourt%20hotel&cpdate=081208"]The Guardian[/url]

January 6, 2009 - The Rivers State Government has earmarked N50 billion for the implementation of the new Port Harcourt master plan and Greater Port Harcourt City project.

Governor Chibuike Amaechi stated this while presenting the Bill to members of the Rivers State House of Assembly in Port Harcourt last week.

He informed the House that an international firm had produced a master plan for the capital city and the new Greater Port Harcourt City, and that his government is sold on the idea and determined to implement the new master plan.

Amaechi said: "To this end, government will establish a Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority charged with the responsibility of implementing the master plan. We have set aside N50 billion this year to fund the project. Let me assure you all, that at the end of this exercise, we will have a world class city that will be clean, green, orderly and a delight for us to live in."

The governor, however, said that one of the most painful programmes of his administration has been the demolition of illegal structures within the capital city which has generated negative feelings in those affected by it.

"In the days ahead, more people will be required to make some sacrifices. We engaged the services of an international firm to produce a master plan for Port Harcourt and the new Greater Port Harcourt City. They have produced a master plan for Port Harcourt and the new city," said Amaechi.

He also said that to arrest the continuing deterioration of infrastructure in the educational sector, the state government has also embarked on the construction of 250 model primary schools and 23 international standard secondary schools.

He stated that the relocation and construction of a multibillion new ultra modem Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) will begin in the first quarter of the year.

Throwing light on road infrastructure provision, he said his administration has started a massive rural road construction programme across the state based on his commitment towards ensuring the construction of standard roads across the state.

In a related development, the governor said plans have been concluded to award contracts for the dualisation of three roads in the Diobu area of the capital city namely, Iloabuchi, Ojoto and Azikiwe roads by March which would be followed almost immediately in April with the award of contract for the laying of water pipes, according to Governor Rotimi Amechi.

The governor also disclosed that water pipes would be buried underground and appealed to residents for understanding, promising to give compensation to owners of structures to be affected by the demolition.

He pledged to check flooding in the state capital, Port Harcourt, saying this may result in the shifting of some fences but that his government would be prepared to pay compensation on all structures that may be demolished for the road expansion. "You should bear the pain as I am managing to bear the pain in my conscience, but it is a necessary duty I must do for every body," he said.

http://www.thenationonlineng.com/dynamicpage.asp?id=74158

Yinka Kolawale

1 December 2008 - The Rivers State government has approved plans to build 20,000 residential houses yearly, starting next year, at the new Greater Port Harcourt city.

And for this purpose a new agency has been established to oversee the development of the project, to be known as Greater Port Harcourt Development Authority .

The State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Ogbonna Nwuke, said the government has accepted the recommendations of the consultants for the Greater Port Harcourt City Master plan and has approved that between N50 billion and N100 billion be committed annually to the development of infrastructure in the new city.

Nwuke also disclosed that the state executive council has approved the provision of street Lighting in Port Harcourt to enhance security, beautify the city, and brighten the environment. At present, most of the major streets in the city and its environs are not illuminated at night.

Meanwhile, the state government has also conluded plans for the construction of a bridge across the Bolo Creek in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of the state. The project is to link the Island community to other parts of the state.

During a facility tour of the area, Governor Chibuike Amaechi disclosed that the contract for construction of the bridge project has already been awarded and that the state government had paid 25 per cent of the project value to mobilise the contractors, who have been given 18 months to complete the work.

Amaechi also pledged that all ongoing projects in the area would be completed before the middle of next year, urged them to assist government monitor projects in their community to ensure a speedy delivery

"There is need for projects to be properly supervised by government agencies and the benefitting communities also need to assist monitor projects sited in their area and report to government if the need arises," he said.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200812010935.html

The Rivers State Government is to commence the construction of the Greater Port Harcourt City next year. Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi announced this today when the Managing Director of The Sun Publishing Ltd, and members of the Management of the Sun Newspapers paid him a courtesy visit in Port Harcourt . Governor Amaechi, who explained that the delay in the commencement of the project was due to the different proposals that came up, said he has directed the Committee handling the project to commence work while the developers could join at any point their proposals were okayed.

The Governor, who gave an assurance that he would do whatever was necessary to improve the quality of lives of the ordinary people in the state, stressed that the move informed the focus the administration has placed on road construction, education and health this year. He disclosed that by next year work would also begin on the construction of water facilities based on the approved master plan in Port Harcourt , while the second phase of the water project in the rural areas would commence as soon as the Port Harcourt project was completed. Government, Rt. Hon. Amaechi said, was doing all these to justify the confidence reposed on him by the Sun Group, who conferred on him with the Sun-Man-of-the-Year Award, and the need to provide for his people. “I also want to prove that the award you gave to me was not misplaced, and not tied to the Supreme Court Victory alone”, he said. He also told the visitors that crime level in Port Harcourt has reduced drastically because his government insisted on enforcement of the law, while pointing a gory picture of the security situation in the state before he assumed the mantle of leadership.

“People are forgetting that by the time we came, there was curfew, while children were carrying guns openly in the street, and the police were helpless”, Amaechi stated, explaining that all that has changed. Earlier, the Managing Director of The Sun Publishing Ltd, Mr Mike Awoyinfa said the visit was part of the activities marking the organisation’s five years Anniversary celebration, and thanked Governor Amaechi for the massive transformation the state has undergone within the period. BLESSING WIKINA Ag. Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.

Rivers State Official Website

Kaduna, Nigeria: Kaduna State was home to the ancient civilization known as the Nok culture, dating back to between 90BC-500AD, and to Queen Amina of Zazzau, who was noted for stepping where men dared not. Kaduna occupies part of the central portion of northern Nigeria. Created in 1976, occupying an area of approximately 46,053 square kilometers with 23 local government areas, Kaduna State now has a population of more than six million, roughly 80 percent of whom are smallholder farmers. Agricultural production includes such staple and cash crops as maize, millet, sorghum, rice, cassava, beans, soya, groundnuts, cotton, tobacco, guinea corn, ginger, sugarcane, shea nuts, cowpeas, mango, kenaf, cocoya, timber, palm kernel, bananas, onions and potatoes.

The City of Kaduna, the capital of Kaduna State, has a population of more than a half million. Located on the Kaduna River, Kaduna City is an important trade area and a major transportation hub for the surrounding agricultural areas, with its rail and road junctions. Kaduna is bordered by the states of Sokoto, Katsina and Kano to the north; Bauchi to the east; Plateau to the east and south, and Niger to the west. The city is home to the Nigerian Defense Academy, Kaduna Polytechnic and the Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research.


Economic Climate:[/b]Since Nigeria has returned to democratic rule and embarked on a series of political and economic reforms, the previously uncertain business climate has improved in Kaduna as in the rest of the nation. All three tiers of government, from the local government authorities to the states to the federal level, have aggressively pursued economic diversification aimed at ensuring a healthy environment for investment.


[b]Potential Business Opportunities: Kaduna is one of northern Nigeria’s industrial centers, manufacturing, among other things, cotton textiles, machinery, steel, aluminum, petroleum products and bearings. As a commercial hub, Kaduna’s textiles, beverages, pottery and furniture are renowned; the city boasts an airport and railway station, and a pipeline connects the city’s oil refinery and petrochemical plant to the oil fields in the Niger River Delta. The abundance of agricultural products offers tremendous promise for increased food processing; an investment in increased storage facilities can help alleviate scarcity in the off-season, while the vertical integration of processing and manufacturing facilities will galvanize economic and social development across the State.

http://www.earth.columbia.edu/mci/?page=locations#Kaduna

Sisi Jinx:
And after you post the articles. . . then what?

Don't you see, it would be another round of "Oh it's all smoke screen, they are gonna screw the people, they are taking advantage of the almanjiris (good for them by the way HA!) and the uneducated Mallams (not that we care. . . we just like to poopoo on anything the Nigerian Federal Govt does).

Unfortunately, the only way to silence the critics is after the project is over and that would be what. . . another 5 years?

Alrighty then, see you in 2014 Bro, in the mean time, seat back and relax yourself. . . have a tall glass of burukutu and enjoy the progress.

Golu Timothy, Abuja

January 13th, 2009 - The FCT Administration is to Partner with the Kaduna State government and the Organised Private Sector on railway development within the Federal Capital Territory and the neighbouring states. The FCT Minister, Senator Mohammed Adamu Aliero made this disclosure yesterday while receiving the Kaduna State Governor, Architect Mohammed Namadi Sambo who paid him a courtesy visit. The Minister remarked that the rail project connecting the Federal Capital Territory and Kaduna State would be given attention because the project would ease transportation problem between the two important cities. According to him, the FCT Administration would give the needed support to the development of railway in order to improve transportation of goods into Abuja as one of the greatest construction sites in Africa.

Senator Aliero reiterated that rail development would not only help in the eradication of the perennial traffic congestion in the Federal Capital City but would also assist enhance the transportation of agricultural products into the city. The Minister emphasised that if rail transportation is re-activated in the country, it would not only reduce accidents on the roads but also reduce huge amount of money spent on road construction and rehabilitation. He enjoined other state governments in the federation to consider partnering with the Federal Government in order to get the ailing rail transportation system back on track for the benefit of all Nigerians. Senator Aliero assured that the Abuja light rail project would be a reality because "the FCT Administration is committed to achieving it"; noting that even the National Assembly is favourably disposed to seeing it realised as over N16 billion has been earmarked for the project in both the National and FCT 2009 budget.

"The FCT Administration is committed to the project because it would add value to economic development, not only to the Federal Capital Territory but the entire nation", he said. The Minister praised the efforts of the Kaduna State government in revitalising the Kaduna state railway lines and urged other states to emulate the good work of Governor Sambo. Speaking earlier, the Kaduna State Governor, Architect Namadi Sambo congratulated Senator Aliero over his appointment as the FCT Minister; saying that his antecedent in Kebbi State remains unequalled.The Governor urged him to continue to serve the humanity by putting in his best in the service to his fatherland. He said plans have been concluded to enhance the development of Kaduna state by constructing 'Kaduna Millennium City' comprising ten districts which design had already been completed. He, therefore, called on investors to partner with the State. Governor Sambo appealed to the FCT Administration to assist the state with expertise to fasttrack the development of the new Kaduna Millennium City Project.

http://leadershipnigeria.com/news/118/ARTICLE/5370/2009-01-13.html

Written by Nasidi Adamu Yahaya  

Tuesday, 13 January 2009 - The Kaduna state government’s Millennium City project will gulp about N85 billion, the state Governor, Mohammed Namadi Sambo, said in Abuja Monday.

He disclosed this when he paid a visit to the Minister of Works and Housing Hassan Mohammad Lawal, adding that the city project will be financed by the private sector with the state government providing infrastructure.

The governor said the city if completed, will be the nineth city in Africa in terms of infrastructure development, saying the  University of Columbia,U.S.A. with the support of the United Nations are proposing development of nine cities in Africa under the Millennium Cities Initiative and the Kaduna Mega city is included

Governor Sambo said N4bn has  already been expended in the construction of the first bridge and the main access to the city, adding that ‘‘we have planned to   spend about N85bn for the provision of primary and secondary roads, power and water supply e.t.c.’’.

He said: ‘‘Development of the Millennium city is a viable venture because these are plots of lands that were allocated to interested parties and will be sold commercially. So Kaduna state government will provide infrastructure for the development of the City’’.

http://www.dailytrust.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2688&Itemid=15:testset

strangleyo:
housing for civil servants?

HOUSING FOR CIVIL SERVANTS?

The only thing civil servants in Nigeria need is the pink slip!

Fire the bastards. We need the FG to become smaller not bigger.

Sisi Jinx:
@ Topic

COOL!! The are rejuvenating my hometown. Me Likey!!!

davidylan:
more white elephant projects funded by oil money from the niger delta. When will nigeria learn that bogus structures doth not an economy make?