Work is due to resume at the Bakassi Deep Seaport following weekend’s meeting between Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade and some Chinese investors in Changsha and Hanan in Hunan Province.
Ayade is in China with some of his commissioners and advisers, a trip he made a few hours after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja on the project.
After the meetings, Ayade said construction work on the seaport, billed to be the deepest in the country, would soon commence. The 260km superhighway also to be constructed will serve as the evacuation corridor for the seaport.
The Federal Government had approved the proposal by the Cross River State government to procure a transaction adviser for the project, following the setting up of an advisory and implementation committee by the Federal Ministry of Transport.
The deep seaport will boost the export of produce, such as rice and banana as well as solid minerals but it will not compete with the existing Calabar Port but will accommodate mother vessels, especially from the Far East.
“Even in the face of several challenges and the fear that this project was impossible, the president has kept giving me proper encouragement and I am happy to acknowledge that,” Ayade had said while receiving top officials of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA).
One of the Chinese construction giants, China Gezhouba Group Corporation (CGGC), has opened its North-West Africa headquarters in Abuja, in what is described as a major fillip to the Federal Government’s drive for foreign investment.
The regional headquarters, meant to cover about 18 African countries (eight in Central Africa, seven in West and three in North), will serve as a semi-independent branch with power to take certain decisions without first seeking authorisation from the China-based parent company.
CGGC President Lyu Zexiang said this in Abuja while speaking at the launch of the headquarters on October 26.
Zexiang said his company’s decision to site a major headquarters in Nigeria was informed by its confidence in the nation’s economy’s growth potentials.
He said his company, which is coordinating the construction of the multi-billion dollars Mambilla Power Project, will ensure its prompt completion with its best expertise and materials.
He said CGGC was also planning to increase current local personnel strength of 5,000 to 20,000 within the next three years in the North-West region of the continent.
Minister of State for Power Mustapha Shehuri said the Federal Government was committed to ensuring that the 3000mw Mambilla Power project was completed and deliver at record time. He said the government has authorised all its relevant agencies and ministries to provide all necessary supports for the successful execution of the project.
“This project will cost about $6billion. It is being executed with 85 per cent loan from Chinese Export/Import Bank, while the Nigerian government is providing the remaining 15 per cent funding. We understand its importance for the nation’s energy requirement and by extension, the development of the economy. That is why the government is determined to ensure its prompt execution,” Shehuri said.
An indigenous expert, Mohammed Mustapha of Hypertech Nigeria Limited, who is the project’s development consultant, said his main brief is to coordinate the local content input for the project.
“This is an opportunity for Nigerian companies with the requisite expertise to tap into the huge business opportunity provided by this project. As a Nigeria, I am looking forward to having many Nigerian companies participate in this huge project.
“I am leaving the door open to local companies with the requisite expertise to come on board. This is a challenge to everyone to come in and trade his/her expertise for profitable return. We are not limiting it to any particular part of the country or class. This is an opportunity for all Nigerians,” Mustapha said.
LAGOS State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has directed sole administrators of the 57 councils to submit 288 additional roads (four from each council) for construction from 2017.
The development followed the delivery of 114 roads constructed by Ambode’s administration across the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas.
The Sole Administrator of Igando/Ikotun LCDA, Mr. Samuel Ajayi, broke the news yesterday at the inauguration of Osunba Street and Balogun Olanrewaju Road – two of the 114 roads.
Ajayi, while confirming the receipt of the directive from Ambode, said the development was unprecedented in the history of Lagos.
But speaking through his representatives at the inauguration of some of the roads, Ambode warned residents to resist the temptation to convert any of the 114 roads to venue for commercial purposes or parking lot for abandoned vehicles.
The governor said conversion of the roads to other uses other than for motorists would reduce their lifespan.
At the commissioning of Seriki Kemberi Road and Alhaji Rasak Street in Iba LCDA, the governor was represented by Mr. Oladele Adekanye, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos Chapter.
He lamented that some landlords did not set aside space within their structures for parking, saying: “Rather, they ask their tenants to park on the road.
“Allowing heavy static load on the road will reduce its lifespan. Good roads embellish the community. It would reduce flooding and residents would be able to live comfortably.”
Likewise, at the inauguration of Ojediran Shopitan and Taiwo Molajo streets both in Ikorodu West LCDA, Ambode said illegal breaking of roads, usage as automobile workshop, as well as refuse dump must stop henceforth.
Many other roads were also inaugurated in other councils.
Lagos APC hails governor over inner roads
Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) has hailed Governor Akinwumi Ambode for inaugurating 114 inner roads in Lagos as well as starting the building of others.
APC said by this development, Ambode has demonstrated his commitment to ensure that Lagos is opened up in furtherance of his resolve to make it a stronger business hub and the nation’s centre of excellence.
Its spokesman, Joe Igbokwe, in a statement, said the governor has, within a very short period, developed Lagos better.
It urged Lagosians to continue to support Ambode as he work to expand the potentials of the state through rapid growth.
“We note that the 114 new inner roads came with such wonderful features like walkways, drainage systems and street lights, which add to the infrastructural wealth of Lagos.
“We note also that the construction of the roads created thousands of jobs for Lagosians and Nigerians and the construction of the newer roads will create more jobs for Lagosians. It is impressive to note that the massive construction came at a time the country is passing through economic recession, which says of the staying power of Lagos and its capacity to lead the revival of the country’s economic from sole dependence on oil.
“When our party was putting forward Governor Ambode to replace the high performing former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, we did state that he possessed the capability to take Lagos further from the enviable heights Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Fashola regimes took it.
“We are happy that we had been proved very right by the rapid and frenzied manner Governor Ambode is executing development projects and prosecuting a Lagos that is now expanding and is presently the fifth largest African economy.”
Residents of Alhaji Idowu Street, Akowonjo, have hailed the Lagos State Government for the rehabilitation of their roads and the provision of street lights.
They are elated that after 35 years of total abandonment which left the area in deplorable condition, the government has was repairing the roads with interlocking stones.
According to them, Alhaji Idowu Oke and Lambe Kudaisi streets were usually submerged in by flood during rainy season. Once it rained, residents had a lot to worry about as properties were usually damaged and sometimes, little school children got swept away by flood.
A resident, Alhaji Moshood Idowu whom the street is named after said: “We want to thank Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for giving us a lifetime gift. The road was so terrible. We could not cross from some point to the other. We have called on all our community leaders to cooperate with the government so that Lagos State will continue to excel.
“What the government has done here is a mega road in a mega city for a mega community. Luckily, we also have a Nigerian who has the interest of the people at heart as well as the contractor, Bashaul Construction Company. What he has done here is a world-class engineering work. In fact he has given us additional construction which is not part of his contract.”
The Chief Operating Officer, Admiralty Homes Limited, Mr. Olaiwola Salami, has urged Nigerians to use quality materials during construction.
In an interview in Lagos, he harped on the need to patronise Nigerians who sell these materials to boost their business, adding that given the terrain and topography of some parts of the country, especially coastal areas, the use of substandard construction materials would lead to disaster.
He noted that the rains affect residents, especially in Lekki and Ajah axis of Lagos State, where some buildings collapsed due to low quality materials used in construction.
Salami urged Nigerians to patronise efficient property development firms who can deliver buildings that will stand the test of time.
He cited his firm as an indigenous outfit where quality materials are sold. “At Admiralty Homes, we are dedicated to providing our customers world-class buildings that will guarantee them rest of mind for decades to come. We use the best quality construction materials which will give them a solid apartment. This is what we are reputed for,” he said.
He added: Admiralty Homes has in the last 12 years delivered world-class properties, including Imagine Estate, Alpha Bay Estate, Silicon Valley I, Silicon Valley 11 estates and Victory Park Estate in the Lekki/Ajah area and Banana Island Apartments as well as various developments in Ogun State, among others.
The construction of 114 rural roads in the 57 local councils of Lagos State initiated by Governor Akinw-unmi Ambode in January is eliciting excitement among residents. Residents of Obele Oniwala community in Surulere are happy with the work going on, on Durojaiye Street.
The Michael Ogun/Durojaiye Streets are among the two roads selected for reconstruction by the Surulere Local Government Area last December. The other is Aralile Road. They are part of the 114 inner roads to be constructed in all local government areas (LGAs) and local council development areas (LCDAs), with two roads per council which was inaugurated in January.
The Michael Ogun/Durojaiye Road is very strategic because it connects directly to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, without having to go through Itire. The length of the road is 600 metres and was awarded to Olag Nigeria Limited with specifications which included covered drains, walkway and street light.
Governor Ambode had, during his electioneering campaigns, promised that, in the first year of his administration, inner roads would be constructed in all the 20 councils and 37 local council development areas, The unique thing about this was that the LGAs and LCDAs were to be in charge of the construction of two roads each in their domains. The Lagos State Government is just to monitor the road construction and also to ensure that the roads meet international standard, while the councils will provide the funds for the construction.
The roads were first constructed by the Alhaji Lateef Jakande administration in the 80s, but the residents had built several illegal structures on drainage alignment and setbacks. Some residents even relocated their soak away pit from the back of their houses right onto the drainage while others constructed shops and other structures on the alignment which posed initial problem when the contractor; Olag Nigeria Limited, moved to site.
For the contractor to take possession of the road and begin work, the setback and drainage alignment had to be reclaimed as well as relocation of electric cables of the Eko Discos to pave way for the construction.
According to the Executive Secretary, Surulere Local Government Area, Mrs. Bamidele Hussain, a stakeholder’s meeting was held with residents and their community development association (CDA) on the need to reconstruct the road and reclaim the setback and alignment. The stakeholders agreed that the road should be reconstructed and illegal structures on the right of way removed. With this problem taken care of, the contractor commenced work on the road.
According to 64-year-old Mrs. Christiana Emela, the street which has been in a very bad state for over a decade is receiving attention from the council.
She said: “We are happy for the road construction because for long, we have been inhaling dust. We are hopeful that when the road is completed, our plight will be over. We thank the Surulere Local Government for this project.”
However the Site Engineer Olag Nigeria Limited, Samuel Tomori said the project was delayed because it took about 10 weeks to get the Eko Disco to give the permission for the relocation of the electric poles for the project to commence.
“Some members of the community accused us of planning to relocate the poles over their roofs. This is untrue. Another challenge we had was that there were illegal structures built on the road setback. The people living in the quarters encroached on the setback. Some of them even relocated their soak away from the back of their houses unto the setback and they don’t want us to remove the illegal structures from the setback at all.
“But the work is progressing fast as we are about completing the drainage. The relocation of the electric poles is about to start and before middle of May, we may complete the project,” he said.
Former Chairman, Obele Oniwala CDA and resident on Durojaiye Street, Mr.. Folahan Onikori said it was improper for people to erect illegal structures on drainage alignment and road setback, saying that something had to give way for development to come to a particular area. He commended the Surulere Local Government for the ongoing road project and urged the council to expedite action on its completion.
Chairman, Surulere Local Government, Hussain said it was the CDA members who chose that the Michael Ogun/Durojaiye Road should be constructed due to its economic and social importance to the area. “We had delay with the approval to relocate the electric poles by the Eko Disco. To work on the drainage, we had to break some walls erected on the road setback,” she said.
Hussain explained that before works began on the Michael Ogun/Durojaiye Road, the area was a slum with deep potholes littering the road.
“This road was like a slum with deep potholes. We decided to do this road because it is a link road to LUTH instead of using the Itire Road. The road has lots of economic importance as well as social value,” she said.
The presence of earth moving equipment seems to have become a common feature, across Cross River State, turning the state into a beehive of construction activities.
Ranging from extreme machines, such as litronic crawler excavators, compactors to cranes, creeks are being dredged, hills leveled, valleys and contours filled, while grounds are compacted, all in a bid to pave way for the deep seaport, the, rice city project, a pharmaceutical company, poultry products etc.
The Goodluck Jonathan By-pass in Calabar, once a desolate by-pass, has suddenly morphed into massive construction sites with the attendant spinoff in housing projects along the road.
•Ayade
When Governor Ben Ayade took over the mantle of leadership, he had promised to transform its economy to one of a beacon to others in the country.
The governor has also traversed various continents and countries marketing the huge potentials abound in the state to local and international investors who have been coming into the state to tap into the opportunities that abound.
On such trips, he has also ensured the brokerage and signings of deals as well as MoUs with sundry foreign firms and governments.
So far, the governor has had a horde of critics who are very skeptical of his ambitions, but he appears to refuse to be sidetracked by consistently staying focused to his vision and programmes for the state.
Most of his projects are progressively coming to life. One of them is the Calabar Garment Factory, the largest garment factory in Africa set for commissioning in April. Another is the Calabar Pharmaceutical firm (Calapharm) adjacent the garment factory. Directly opposite Calapharm and the garment factory is an ongoing clearing of a 3, 000 hectare of land meant for the proposed rice city by a Thai-African Corporation Limited.
The Director of Operations, Healthage Nigeria Limited, Farhan Ahmad Khan, said the company is determined to set up a World Health Organization standard and approved pharmaceutical factory with registered products by the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Upon completion, Calapharm is expected to meet the drugs requirement need of the state as well as the Nigerian market, just as it would also save capital flight.
According to Thai-African Corporation Limited, a leading rice producer in Thailand, the rice city project is estimated at US$4 million. The construction of the Rice City Is expected to take at least six months.
The Managing Director of Thai-Africa Corporation, Mrs. Pantipa Dhanagom, who was conducted round the project site, had disclosed that the scheme would be a rice seedling centre with the best rice seed to be grown in the area. “It will become a training centre and a one-stop service which will also cater for out-growers in Nigeria and other African countries,” she said.
On the choice of the project site, the MD agreed that “The land is suitable and it is also the best location because it is right on the highway and similar to the one Ayade inspected in Thailand.”
Early this year, former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Taminu Turaki led an investment delegation comprising his sons and some of his partners to the governor seeking to invest in sugar cane farming.
Many perceive that the developments in the state are further pointers to the fact Ayade is on track to achieve the industrialisation and a complete change of the story by fast-tracking the state as an industrial hub.
The China Railway Engineering Group, a Fortune 500 company, has indicated a strong commitment to invest in the signature projects embarked upon by the Cross River State Government.
This was the outcome of an intense discussion between the representatives of the Chinese firms and the state government in Calabar last week.
Leader of the group and International Business Manager, China Railway Engineering, Mr. Chao Yang, disclosed that the group has a pool of multi-billion dollar funds that is readily available waiting to be drawn by developing partners for any economically viable investment anywhere in the world.
Yang said they were in Cross River because they felt the state is moving in the right direction considering the type of projects it is embarking on.
Fallouts from the governor’s high profile investment trips have seen other international firms like Chinese truck manufacturing company, SINO Truck of China finalising a deal to establish an assembly plant in Calabar.
According to Wang, the setting up of the assembly plant which would start in two phases, would flag off the first phase with a service centre for all the company’s trucks in Nigeria.
The second phase, Wang disclosed, is the full establishment of SINO Assembly Plant for the production of heavy duty trucks in the state.
On the choice of Calabar, Wang cited the peaceful investment climate in the state as one of the motivating factors, adding that “Cross River is the most peaceful in the South South with an enduring weather that has a huge potential for the development of trucks and is good for industry establishment.”
Similarly, Irish property developers, Affordable Building Concept International, were in the state recently to concretize a partnership deal to develop and manage low cost housing estates across the state.
Described as “specialists in low cost housing scheme” the firm’s presence was a follow up to an earlier discussion held in Dublin on the provision of cheap, but durable houses in every local government.
While taking advantage of the peaceful investment climate in the state, Australia is also looking at solid minerals, agriculture, fabrication as well as energy sectors in which to invest.
Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Jonathan Richardson disclosed this when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Ben Ayade in Calabar. He said his country is willing to collaborate with the state government to develop some identified sites and turn them into viable business ventures.
Like Australia, Canada also identified health, fishery and agro forestry as areas of collaboration with the state for skills acquisition, trainings and micro financing for entrepreneurship.
The partnership, an outcome of a meeting between Ayade and the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Perry John Calderwood which held in the governor’s office in Calabar, came on the heels of several others with countries that view the state as strategic and secure for investments.
Calderwood announced a 15 million dollar-window program for skill acquisition, training and microfinance for youths in the areas of agro-forestry, fisheries and agriculture.
A team from Liebherr Equipment manufacturing company was in Calabar from Germany to conduct an assessment of the soil texture for the deployment of earthmoving tools for the deep seaport and the superhighway.
While this may not immediately begin to bear fruits, there is no denying the fact that in less than a year in office, the state has become a beehive of construction activities.
The National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW) has demanded the review of its members salaries nationwide.
Speaking to newsmen in Lagos during the week, its National President, Comrade Amaechi Asugwuni, said its members in the sector were facing economic hardship that necessitated the demand for salary review to cushion the hardship and also create industrial harmony in the sector.
Asugwuni said it was the responsibility of the Federation of Construction Industry (FoCI) as the employers’ regulatory body to call for salary review, adding that in accordance with the collective bargaining procedure, the salary review was due in December last year as the last review was in 2013. He said the employers’ body had failed to respect or honour the procedure.
The union chief said FOCI being the employers’ body was deliberately delaying the review of the salary in spite of several negotiations between it and the union’s leadership.
He emphasised that the employers must be in line and guided by global best practice in industrial relations, quality of working conditions and regulations.
Asugwuni said the union is acting in accordance with rules of the National Joint Industrial Council (NJIC) agreement over negotiating a review of workers salary every two years.
He said the workers have been supportive and tolerant of the employers’ action, even when they embark on massive retrenchment in the sector which they blamed on the present economic downturn.
Asuguni added that employers have continued to sack workers as a result of the dwindling fortune of the economy as one person now does the job of three persons adding that the only way to compensate workers for excess job is to increase their salaries.
He said the union has begun nationwide interactive consultation and mobilisation of members to map out action plans on the way forward for the union, stressing that the union would not hesitate to embark on a nationwide industrial action to compel FOCI to implement the salary review.
Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos has urged all contractors handling construction of roads in Oshodi to establish a cordial relationship with the host communities.
The council boss Dawood Olajobi said this during the stakeholders’ forum on the construction of Ogunyinka, and Kalejaiye/Sunday Solola Streets.
According to Olajobi, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has given a directive that councils should involve all major stakeholders in any projects embarked on in fulfilment of the state vision 20:20:57 whereby the state will construct 114 roads in all councils.
Olajobi therefore appealed to the contractors to do in accordance with the state standard, hence the need for supervision and proper monitoring by the stakeholders.
However, the proximity of Sunday Solola street to Kalejaiye street in Ewu ward prompt the approval of three street in Oshodi instead of two.
He implored all contractors to move to site, promising to mobilise them if their work is justifiable.
He urged them to engage the services of artisans needed within their construction site.
A Ray of hope is on the horizon for Epe,the big Lagos State riverine community.
Last week, the state government appointed Messrs Granebury Construction to handle road expansion and rehabilitation in Epe. The contractor is expected to mobilise to site any moment to kick off the first phase of the job.
The roads slated for rehabilitation are categorised into two: A and B. Unnder Category A, which are to be completed next year, are Lagos Road, Oke Osho/T Junction, Aiyetoro/ Roundabout; Central Mosque Junction/Orita Marun Stream. Category B comprises Oloja Estate; Bature/ Otunba Adeniyi/Omotayo/Uthman Mustapha and Raman/Ishawu Owolabi.
However, due to the scope of the project, which will affect some properties, and also require the securing of right of way, officials of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, have held a meeting with the community.
The meeting, tagged: “Stakeholders meeting on the rehabilitation of strategic/arterial/inner roads in Epe Local government,” was attended by traditional rulers, women groups, youth groups, property owners, businessmen and lawmakers from the area. They agreed that the projects should be executed without hindrance.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Ganiyu Johnson, explained that the meeting became imperative because some properties that fall on the Right of ways (ROAs) would need to give way for the project. Johnson further explained that as a responsible government, it would not want to take her citizens for granted or put them through any hardship for no reason. And to serve as a palliative, Johnson assured that there would be proper enumeration to ensure that those to be affected by the project are compensated..
“We, therefore, solicit for the understanding and cooperation of all residents, especially, those whose properties will be affected. We realise that this temporary inconveniences will soon give way to all the conceivable comfort that the project, when completed, will bring to the entire community,” Johnson pleaded.
The traditional ruler of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Animashaun, assured of the community’s support for the project. Besides, he explained that with Epe now playing host to several monumental economic development projects sited within its domain, the people had no option than to throw their full support behind the State government.
“We have Lagos Free Trade Zone, the proposed airport, fertiliser plant by Dangote Groups and others like that. At the end of the day, it is Epe that would benefit most,” Oba Animashaun said.
Similarly, the Oba of Noforija community, Babatunde Ogunlaja, assured the contractor of enjoying a molest-free engagement during the construction. He urged parents to warn their children to desist from being used to hinder the project.
“We don’t want the Governor to regret coming to our division with this laudable project. Let us all join hands to ensure that it is successfully completed and in good time,” the monarch said.
The Managing Director, SEGSON Nigeria Limited, Pastor Segun Ogunade, who is also a member of the community, appealed to the youth not to see the project as means of exploitation, but rather one that would be beneficial to all.
‘’But for a project of this magnitude, it becomes imperative that suitable alternative roads be put in place. This was why the women group called for the immediate rehabilitation of some road portions along Epe-Temu, Imota Agbowa and Isiu axis where there are craters and potholes. Specifically, they want the deplorable state of the road leading from the town to IKorodu to be addressed immediately.
“We are traders going to Mile 12, daily to purchase our goods, but the condition of the road is appalling. On several occasions, trucks, in the process of trying to avoid potholes, would face un-coming vehicles, which is very dangerous. We plead with the government to, as matter of urgency, patch the affected spots,” Mrs. Khadijat Ibiyemi, one of the women leaders, appealed.
The Chairman, House Committee at the Lagos State of Assembly, Mr. Biodun Tobun, appealed that the compensation should be paid effortlessly, urging that builders, youths and artisans in the community be involved the project by the contractor.
