Tinapa Business Resort: Another Success Story For Nigeria’s Financial System


By Kingsley Ighomwenghian Senior correspondent
28th March


On Monday, April 2, 2007, President Olusegun Obasanjo is billed to commission Calabar, Cross River State-based Tinapa Business Resort Limited, a project many say is another pointer to the enormous potential of the nation’s money and capital market.

So far, the nation’s banks and investment community have provided the bulk of the N50.32 billion so far invested in debt and equity since 2003 when the business and leisure resort was envisioned by Governor Donald Duke, who commissioned KPMG Professional Services for the initial studies.

Funding contribution for the project shows that 13 banks, using the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Equity Investment Scheme (SMEEIS) window, invested a total of N4.6 billion out of the N5.3 billion approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) when it added Tinapa to the list of projects banks are permitted to make equity investment under the scheme. The scheme, a collaborative effort between the CBN and the Bankers’ Committee comprising chief executives of banks, discount houses and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), among others, which was established in October 2001, required banks in the country to set aside 10 per cent of their profit before tax for equity investment in selected small and medium scale enterprises (SME). The reasoning then was that the SME sector, with such funds would grow thereby engendering industrialisation of the nation. Banks were also expected to hold no more than 40 per cent stake, have board seat that would ensure infusion of better management of the firms.

The Rivers State government followed with N1 billion equity stake and the Niger Delta Development Commission, N100 million. Private equity in the project also aggregated to N55 million, bringing cumulative equity stake to N5.75 billion.

The project, just like the banking sector consolidation exercise, which took place much later, between July 6, 2004 and December 31, 2005, also showed the ability of the Nigerian capital market to rally round a sellable idea. Promoters of Tinapa have been to the capital market to raise N20 billion from the bond market in two equal tranches. Union Bank of Nigeria supported the project with about N7.5 billion comprising N5.0 billion term-loan and N2.5 billion bridge finance. This brings the total debt component in the project to N27.5 billion, in addition to the N8.4 billion investment by Governor Donald Duke’s Cross River State Government.

According to Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Tinapa Business Resort, Mr. Sam Anani, the bond issues were possible because Obasanjo’s support, which he expressed through "a sovereign guarantee that made it possible for Nigerian banks and other corporate investors to be able to put together this money. And that goes to show the seriousness with which the Federal Government and Mr. President, in particular have taken this project."

Another bank that showed confidence in the project at its inception was the United Bank for Africa Plc (specifically, Standard Trust Bank Plc, which in June 2005 merged with UBA under the consolidation programme of the apex bank, becoming the first of such). The bank gave N5 billion seed money, with which the major contractors- Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to mobilise to site.

Infrastructure

The lion’s share of the amount invested in the project- about N46.02 billion has gone into putting the necessary infrastructure in place. The balance of N4.30 billion has been invested in a movie studio, expected to further boost the nation’s burgeoning movie industry that makes the resort not just for business, but a leisure spot.

"Tinapa is established to create a world class entertainment resort, to enhance the quality of production, to bring Nigerians from number three in the world of entertainment, top number one. The vision is to create a commercial/leisure hub for the West and Central African hub. Cross River State is perhaps the most preferred tourism destination in the world.

"One of the visions behind Tinapa (also), is to grow and feed from the manufacturing sector, especially, within the Free Trade Zone in Calabar. There is no where else in the world where you have all the components that Tinapa has in one location," he said.

As A Private Sector Project

The less than 30 per cent investment by the host state government, according to Anani, is deliberate in the bid to ensure that the project is private-sector led thereby ensuring that Tinapa outlives successive governments. From the outset, the Duke-led administration has ensured that only one member of the board- the MD/CEO, who was then the state Finance Commissioner represents government on the board. Even then, Anani, a chartered accountant, was invited to government from the private sector. The board also has Mr. Kunle Hamilton, Managing Partner, KPMG (who has since resigned), Mr. Festus Odimegwu, who until recently was MD/CEO of Nigerian Breweries and Alhaji Ahmed Dasuki, among others.

In Tinapa, Anani stressed, "the government is investing in infrastructure- the roads, street lights and all other components of the structure. Those things are not making money. But Tinapa has signed a development agreement with government of over 40 years during which the government will be able to amortise its investment. We (Tinapa) will be paying government development levies annually so that it can recoup its investment in the structure in over 40 years. Because the government has put this investment upfront, it created the comfort in the private sector to now make its own investment. In the last 8 years, over US$3 billion has been invested in Cross River State from the private sector. That is creating jobs and opportunities for Cross Riverians."

On Listing On The NSE

Being an institution that will never let such an opportunity to boost its capitalisation and afford investors an opportunity to diversify their portfolio and reap bountiful harvest slip, the Nigerian Stock Exchange was another body that saw the potential of Tinapa. It was no surprise to many observers, when the promoters were quickly offered an opportunity to list the resort on the Exchange, without allowing it go through the rigorous listing requirements. "Our plan is to take Tinapa through an IPO and take it to the market early 2008. The justification is that we want Tinapa to trade for almost a year so that people can see revenue streams in order to make the IPO a massive success," according to Anani.

Listing Tinapa would expectedly offer the promoters an opportunity to raise fresh funds that would help reduce the debt considerable, thereby allowing more Nigerians to enter. The Initial Public Offering (IPO) of the company’s shares to the public would also ensure that the 13 banks divest their SMEEIS stake in a few years, after benefitting from the expected capital appreciation.

Benefits To Nigeria, CRSG

The MD/CEO believes that Tinapa is, perhaps, one of the major ways that the country would diversify its income base, growing significantly its income from the non-oil sector of the economy. The income from duties, he believes would be huge, once the product is dutiable and depending on the quantity involved.

"The truth is Tinapa will make more money for Nigeria as far as duties are concerned than what they are collecting at the ports of entry. Tinapa is targeted at West and Central African markets. People who come from outside Nigeria to buy things in Tinapa don’t have to pay duties because they are taking the goods out of Nigeria. They will pay duties when they get to their own countries if the goods are dutiable. But Nigerians who go there to buy and who bring the goods into Nigeria at commercial quantity will pay the required duties. The rates will be embedded in the system we are putting in place. As you are paying for the goods, you are already paying the duties on the goods.

He explained further: "We have been able to get necessary approvals to the extent that if you buy goods in Tinapa for personal use, it is duty-free. Mr President has gracefully approved quantity of goods that can be classified as personal use. Similar goods that will arrive Kano or Lagos will be more expensive for Nigerians. So we believe that Nigerians will start driving and flying to Tinapa to buy products because all the products that you will find in Lagos, London, New York, among others, we are bringing into Tinapa."

Possibilities In Tinapa

Just like has been shown in Obajana Cement Company where 14 banks have opened branches within the sprawling estate in readiness for collection of sales proceeds and money transfers from the various suppliers and distributors alike, banks are expected to hoist their flags at Tinapa in readiness for business. This is expected to boost their deposit base.

According to a 2003 study for the Tinapa project, Nigerian businessmen and women that flock Dubai in the United Arab Emirates spend about $30 million (about N3.87 billion) on air fares alone. When the cost of goods purchased is added, the amount comes to about $1 billion (about N129 billion).

This, in the vaults of banks in Nigeria will help to ensure bigger earning capacity and profit, apart from encouraging cashless transactions through electronic purse.

For those afraid of headache from the Nigerian Customs, Anani said the resort is collaborating with the World Bank to ensure IT enabled customs protocols, thereby taking a lot of headache off the about three million visitors expected to bring in or take out goods.

Also, there is no fear of power outage as Tinapa is to be powered through an independent power plant constructed by CET, which will supply power to the occupiers of the various outlets for a fee.

Offering CRS’ Tourism Potential Via Tinapa

Tinapa, according to its promoters, is a classic example of business tourism, with over 20 tourist attractions in the state alone, beginning with the Obudu Cattle Ranch, monoliths, caves and a rain forest, that is the largest in West Africa. Part of the governor’s plan is to use tourism to create urban employment and open up markets for hotels within the resort are to become operational by June, as construction work is almost complete and the furniture and fixtures being expected very soon. Also, the cinema will be operational in June and the casino in August.

Other Efforts By Banks

The success of the nation’s financial services sector will be better appreciated considering the fact that within the period when the Tinapa project was born and funded, about 14 banks successfully syndicated a loan of about N60 billion for the green field Obajana Cement Company promoted by the Dangote Group. The plant located in Kogi State was borne out of the frustration suffered by the group when, for 44 months, it was unable to take possession of Benue Cement Company after Dangote Industries Limited, a member of the group, acquired the Federal Government’s 51 per cent equity stake. The plant began operation early this year, further boosting the nation’s cement production capacity, in line with the government’s desire to stop importation of the product from this year.

Another project that easily comes to mind, sign-posting the potential of the nation’s banking sector in recent times, was last year’s syndication of about $205 million loan for the construction of a $428 million, 2.5 metric tones per annum cement plant at Mfamosing, near Calabar Cross River State. The plan for the project promoted by Flour Mils of Nigeria Plc was to develop United Cement Company of Nigeria Limited (UNICEM).

In all of these instances, however, the participating banks have always been some of the nation’s strongest and best even before the consolidation period. Participating banks in the $205 million Project Finance Medium Term Facilities, which had Citigroup has mandated lead arranger, while Guaranty Trust Bank, Nigeria International Bank Limited (Citigroup) and Zenith Bank as lead arrangers. Other participants were Afribank Nigeria, First Bank of Nigeria, Diamond Bank, Ecobank Nigeria, IBTC Chartered Bank and Union Bank of Nigeria.

Conclusion

Beyond every other consideration, many believe that the Nigerian financial system is daily making giant strides, ever willing to provide capital for a project, provided they see huge potential in them. After all, many did not believe that the banking sector consolidation would record the kind of success it did initially, such that many of them within 24 months of their IPO have returned for fresh funds, because "bigger seems better" at a time like this. When would the next innovative product come to the market, whether for debt or equity? The nation’s financial system beckons.

I cant wait to se the result!

Donald Duke is a visionary.

Yup

Donald Duke is a visionary.

Pappy, beyond any doubt, yes, he is!

Beyond my usual praise for Donald, I tell you folks: Tinapa is only the beginning! There will be a domino effect on the state economy and with the completion of the monorail, a new airport, etc. Calabar might really become an African Dubai in its own right...

I hope to see more music festivals, sport events (other than the Mountain Race which is awsome), and above all agressive development of Calabar Marina for it to become a sort of "African Riviera" with an organic feel.

This is a good time to start buying Land in Calabar.

Beyond my usual praise for Donald, I tell you folks: Tinapa is only the beginning! There will be a domino effect on the state economy and with the completion of the monorail, a new airport, etc. Calabar might really become an African Dubai in its own right...

I hope to see more music festivals, sport events (other than the Mountain Race which is awsome), and above all agressive development of Calabar Marina for it to become a sort of "African Riviera" with an organic feel.

Zexyworm, but what gives you this optimism/security? Do you know more than we do? Nevertheless, it is so refreshing to read what you said!:)

Does anybody know any *** developments on the Calabar monorail?

Commissioning in Progress, no pictures available at the moment tho.

looking forward to seeing this development being unvailed. I think it will serve as a critical benchmark for the retail commercial property sector in Nigeria.

Tinapa - The Dream Comes Alive Today

Daily Champion (Lagos)

April 2, 2007
Posted to the web April 2, 2007

THE commissioning today in Calabar, Cross River State of the multi-billion naira Tinapa Business Resort by President Olusegun Obasanjo will undoubtedly mark a watershed in the country's desire to become a prime tourism destination in the world.

Located on the Calabar River, and close to the Calabar Free Trade Zone (Calabar FTZ), Tinapa is the realization of Governor Donald Duke's dream of building the first integrated business and leisure resort in Nigeria.

On assumption of office in May 1999, the amiable young governor pledged to transform the state's economy with a view to creating jobs and enduring opportunities for all.

Following the pledge, the governor initiated the Tinapa project which skeptics then described as a white elephant project. But Duke stuck to his idea, insisting that the vision must succeed.

And that vision is to lay a catalytic role in establishing Calabar as a trade and distribution hub in West Africa while at the same time providing a unique tourism experience that will inform the growth and enhancement of the tourism sector in Calabar, Cross River State and Nigeria.

Through the unique vision, it was hoped that Calabar, with its enormous potential for tourism, will transform itself into a global trading hub reminiscent of leading international free zones such as Dubai and Hong Kong.

The passion with which the Cross River State government carried on with the project attracted the interest of the public sector as many blue chip companies threw their weight behind the project, making it arguably Nigeria's biggest public-private partnership projects ever.

The first phase being commissioned today covers 80,000 square metres, consisting of four wholesale emporiums, 100 retail outlets, a food court and car park for 3,000 cars and an 'entertainment strip' with a casino, restaurants, cinema, leisure facilities and a 'fisherman's village.

With the Free Trade Zone status which the resort would enjoy, importing wholesalers and retailers will not have to pay import taxes and duties. That means that importers at Tinapa will not have to wait for weeks for their goods to be cleared by custom officials. The total import time expected in the FTZ, according to its chief executive, Sam Amani, will be "only 24 hours from dockside to truck."

Federal government has never stopped commending the Tinapa initiative. In fact, President Obasanjo who will proudly commission the resort today, has at different times hailed the vision of Governor Duke in establishing the resort.

Not too long ago, however, Minister of Information and Communication, Mr. Frank Nweke (Jnr.) while touring the project site, described the resort as a significant socio-economic landmark under the current democratic dispensation.

Nweke said the project was well concerned in line with federal government's efforts to promote non-oil sectors of the economy as alternative sources of revenue generation, job creation and poverty alleviation.

The minister noted that the Nollywood studio at the resort would boost local movie industry just as the shopping convenience it provides would discourage frequent overseas travels by Nigerians who go abroad to shop.

It is expected that by the end of 2008, about 3 million visitors would have visited Tinapa, spending an average of N100,000, therefore, injecting about N300 billion into Cross River State.

This, undoubtedly, will create new job opportunities, redistributing wealth to taxi drivers and tourism related activities.

With the commissioning of the resort today, there is no denying the fact that Governor Duke has delivered on his 1999 promise of transforming Cross River State's economy with a view to creating jobs and enduring opportunities for all.

pictures, pictures guys, i can't wait to see some pictures of Tinapa. It has been widely marketed through Dstv and other cable and satellite networks.

pictures, pictures guys, i can't wait to see some pictures of Tinapa. It has been widely marketed through Dstv and other cable and satellite networks.

Did they show images of the site?

A Vision Realised


Published 2nd April 2007

The dream of creating Africa’s most exciting leisure and business resort, so eloquently espoused by His Excellency, Governor Donald Duke in 1999, has become a reality.

In a glittering ceremony held at the Tinapa Business Resort, in front of a most distinguished audience, led by His Excellency, President Olusegun Obasanjo, 3 000 dignitaries, business leaders and other guests toured the vast and hugely impressive resort.

The major construction has been successfully completed on time and the tenants are frantically busy with the shop fitting process and the stocking of merchandise, in readiness for the flood of consumers and traders who are expected to visit Tinapa after Opening Day.

The Hotel and Casino operator, Southern Sun, the cinema operator, Nu Metro, and others are powering ahead to complete the leisure and entertainment components of Tinapa.

All-in-all, the activity is progressing full steam ahead and the VIP visitors who left the resort universally impressed can surely attest to the amazing diversity and quality which consumers will enjoy at Tinapa.

Governor Donald Duke’s Vision Realised.


In May 1999, Donald Duke, the newly elected Governor of Cross River State, made a commitment to transform the state’s economy, and to create job opportunities.

He decided he could best achieve this through the creation of a business-tourism resort in Calabar’s existing tax free zone. This was the largest project of its kind in Nigeria’s history, requiring an enormous amount of expertise across many professional and technical fields. The project had the enthusiastic support of the Federal Government, led by His Excellency, President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Governor Duke specifically insisted that in every aspect of the project, local Nigerians would be employed and where required, skills would be transferred by the consultant or contractor. Tinapa would effectively help train the next generation, enabling many Cross Riverians to advance themselves in new careers and expand their potential to succeed.

The design for Tinapa is breathtaking and audacious in its scope, taking its inspiration from some of the finest designs in the world and represents a landmark in mixed-use architecture.

Tinapa is a potent, enduring symbol of Nigeria’s spirit and vision and an excellent example of the African Renaissance. Here, where untamed forests covered the landscape, there has emerged the greatest trading hub in West Africa.

Tinapa is a great project, It'll transform Cross River State. Create entertainment and leisure facilities, have an impact on poverty reduction, infratructure is being built, An IPP will be constructed to supply electricty for the whole state. So in Brief, Cross Riverians, other Nigerians and Tourists are going to have a great time for sure.

Tinapa: FG, C’River plan new Calabar airport

President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday, inaugurated the N50bn Tinapa Business Resort in Calabar, with a declaration that the Federal Government would build a new airport in the Cross River State capital to take care of the post-Tinapa inauguration challenges.

A section of the Tinapa Business Resort in Calabar, Cross River State. The project will be inaugurated today.

The ground-breaking ceremony for the new airport, according to Obasanjo, will take place before May 29, 2007 the terminal date of the current administration. He said the new airport project would be financed by the state and the Federal Government on a 50-50 basis.

The President, who inspected facilities at the resort, including the Nolly-wood Studio, expressed appreciation to the Cross River State Governor, Mr Donald Duke, for his vision and courage in initiating the project, saying Tinapa had brought back the lost glory of Calabar as Nigeria’s first capital city.

He also commended the various stakeholders, including the banks that contributed to the realisation of the Tinapa project.

He added, “My great delight is informed by the fact that we are today, celebrating the actualisation of the audacious vision painstakingly initiated, devotedly implemented and amicably passed by Duke and his team.

“We must applaud your government for successfully embarking upon and courageously executing this project, which is surely going to change the face of Cross River State forever.”

Just like the Managing Director of the United Bank for Africa, Mr Tony Elumelu, who charged Nigerians to have a dream that could work like that of Tinapa, Obasanjo said it was a thing of joy that the Tinapa dream did not die.

He noted that having inaugurated the resort, there was the need for all the stakeho-lders, including the Federal Government to keep it alive. He said with the birth of Tinapa, a new business vista had been opened for the nation and for African.

“Tinapa, no doubt, represents one giant step in the direction of unprecedented economic growth and regeneration for our continent,” he added.

He said the government had considered the need for a new airport as part of the steps to keep Tinapa alive.

According to him, the decision to embark on the construction on of an entirely new airport was taken because of experts’ advice that it would be cheaper to build a new airport instead of expanding the existing one to accommodate bigger airplanes.

Duke, in his address, thanked the President and the various banks for believing in the dream and supporting it to the point of inauguration.

He said he was excited that the President resolved to midwife the project and stood by him from the beginning, even when most people did not believe in the Tinapa dream.

There is a crap picture of Tinapa on the site here is a link :
http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art200704031295529

Does anybody have any new pictures?

Does anybody have any new pictures?

are the hotels and habitation facillities already constructed? otherwise i think the commision was just an symbolic act.

Nope, the project is to be fully completed in August

Nollywood comes alive as Obasanjo commissions Studio Tinapa

Saturday, April 7, 2007
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Like a King Kong, the gigantic ape stands on the rooftop, greeting and welcoming guests. Raised above its head is a neon sign that reads: Nollywood. Other movie characters like the Superman, sharpshooter and swordsman adorn the premises. Designed like a giant eagle, the new Studio TInapa in Calabar, Cross Rivers State is indeed a state of the art masterpiece.

The commissioning of the studio by President Olusegun Obasanjo last Monday was a grand ceremony that would remain unforgettable in the annals of the Nigerian movie industry.

It all began at about noon on that day when the Cross River State Cultural Troope mounted the stage to perform the Nollywood Theme Song, directed by Jetta Amata.

A spectacular performance by the Aluminium Band had preceded the major highlight of the show, which was a 10-minute drama by an all American cast that revealed some of the stunts normally seen in Western films.

While commending Governor Donald Duke for building the movie studio as part of the larger Tinapa Business Resort, President Obasanjo said it is the best one can get anywhere in the world.

He declared: "When it was made known to me that in the film industry, we are number three, I said well, with the poor facilities if we can be number three, with a little bit of better facilities, there is no reason we shouldn’t be number one. I want to thank my brothers and sisters of the Nollywood who have excelled in very difficult circumstances. With this type of facility which is the best you can get anywhere in the world, we expect you to thrive to make Nigeria the leading filmmaker in the world. This studio will be a landmark not only in Africa but also in the world."

Earlier, Governor Duke had praised President Obasanjo for encouraging him to actualise the dream of Studio Tinapa. "I thank President Obasanjo for his encouragement. If not for him, this project wouldn’t have been possible," he said.

For Mr Moshe Petersburg, CEO of Dream Entertainment, a Hollywood-based production and distribution company, Nollywood is the next hot story in the world, which was the reason for collaborating the Cross River State in building Studio Tinapa.

Hollywood of America and Bollywood of India, be aware, a new movie industry, Nollywood is right here, right now at Tinapa. Like both big sisters, Hollywood and Bollywood, which are supplying thousands of jobs and opportunities and giving millions of people all over the globe unforgettable moments of happiness, Nollywood is the next hot story and it is already starting," he said.

According to Petersburg, who gave President Obasanjo and Governor Duke awards for making the dream of Studio Tinapa come true, the main objective of Dream Entertainment is to provide Nollywood with the most modern equipment and skilled manpower.

He stressed: "Our goal is to provide you with the most modern equipment and skilled manpower, state of the art editing studio, mind blowing music equipment and recording room and to top it all giving you a chance to view your final portrait in our superb screening room. We will devote time for comprehensive clinic programme so that more and more people can enjoy our work in this wonderful and glamorous industry."

Moreover, for popular actress, Joke Silva, who gave the vote of thanks on behalf of her colleagues, the forefathers of the industry would be cheering wherever they are for a facility like Studio Tinapa.

She said: "It has taken us 103 years to get to the point we are today. Our forefathers like Chief Hubert Ogunde, Chief Duro Ladipo, Ade Love, Chief Eddy Ugbomah, Baba Sala and Ola Balogun would be cheering wherever they are.

They shot most of their movies on celluloid without access to a facility of this nature. They were dogged and passed the doggedness to us. We took the batons from them. The Nigerian motion picture industry neglected and ignored for so long has now become the industry to be courted and embraced. We look forward to ensuring and taking advantage of those opportunities afforded by Studio Tinapa."

All I can say is "wow"...

Tinapa (During Commisioning)
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Tinapa!!!
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Red Carpet!
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That Studio Tinapa is the best piece of news of heard from Nigeria in a LONG time.

Nice pics by the way...

i can't wait to see the plateau film city also.....and even many more,these are good news,the way of governing in nigeria will be the best cos we have started pumping our money into any of land....we just don't capitalise on the national capital.

Studio Tinapa, a dream sweet city
04.08.2007
Sunday, April 8, 2007

As it's said 'if we build it, they will come'. This is the story of Tinapa Business Resort at the bank of River Calabar, Cross River State. It has been built and commissioned by President Olusegun Obasanjo, who saw a clip of a movie scripted by Dream Entertainment of HOLLYWOOD. It is uncertain if Nigeria is prepared for the Tinapa vision, but signals from show and business communities at the event point to a resolve to live-up to the challenges, writes Bennett Oghifo

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Studio two where the commissioning took place, last week, was awash with every shade and colour of light, show business people love so much. Over a million rays beaming on a celebrity-style stage at the head of the large studio. A brief HOLLYWOOD movie, complete with stunt was played back by real actors. The 'clip' was backed by James Bond's 007 theme song, oozing from high megawatts speakers like in the movies.

The site was Studio Tinapa, an arm of the Tinapa Business Resort, which effortlessly combines business with high velocity leisure.

"...Our thrust is to ensure Cross River State as the hub for business and leisure tourism in West Africa by the end of the decade and Studio Tinapa as an essential component of this." Governor Donald Duke, in this speech tried to capture his vision of what should be developed, even before Tinapa's foundation was laid.

As things stand out there in Tinapa City, even Governor Duke will be frightened and excited at the outcome of his 'mustard seed'. It awed President Olusegun Obasanjo and humbled every other visitor, particularly those who could have taken a sharp shot at a project, any project, as huge as Duke's.

Studio Tinapa is part of an “entertainment strip” in the Business and Leisure Resort, leading out of the shopping complex area. This strip will include: a casino of international standard, five restaurants, a cinema complex with cinemas ranging from 104 to 340 seats each, a games arcade and ten-pin bowling alley, a children's play area, a fisherman's village comprising three themed bars, a themed nightclub and an arts and crafts village.

Others are; 300-room budget hotel, support services and amenities such as a sick bay, and management offices, among others. There is a warehouse cluster with five warehouses, Leisureland/ Waterworld facility, Wave pool, Standing wave surfing, Lazy river ride, Water slides, Picnic area, Children's pool and children's play area, Tennis courts, Volleyball courts, Change room facilities, Lifeguard tower, Kiosks, and other management offices.

Studio Tinapa, built in collaboration with Dream Entertainment, a HOLLYWOOD based production and dristribution company, is designed as a one stop shop Film/Television/ Music Industry Center in Calabar, providing filming and recording services to local and foreign productions in Nigeria for feature films, TV shows, TV dramas and other related productions. It is a complex of giant studios, state-of-the-art editing rooms, luxurious movie theaters that would constitute a magnet for the entire global film industry.

Studio Tinapa is the first visible structure at the end of a dual carriageway that terminates at a bank of toll entrances. It was built on over 55 thousand square meters of prime even land.

Hundreds of top notch construction specialists, acoustics engineers and audio-visual experts took part in the building process. The state of the art compound includes 650 tons of steel structures that were assembled with pre-prepared frames set-up like "Giant Lego Pieces". The city's main entrance is graced by a unique structure designed like a giant eagle.The city center hosts an amphitheater for shows and screenings on special occasions. A second theater was designed for spectacular stunt shows.

The huge 1500 square meters film-studio, 15 meters high and built with some 250 tons of steel, includes a fully adjustable crossover lighting-grid. It is flanked by luxurious dressing and make-up suites, top-of-the-line production rooms and a workshop for the construction and storage of movie sets.

The post-production building holds state-of-the-art editing rooms and advanced sound studios. A 20 meter high, high-tech screening theater, in the form of an enormous sphere, will screen local films and premieres of both local and foreign productions.

On the post-production building's roof stands colossal 6 meter tall gorilla, greeting guests as they traverse the bridge from the commercial center. On the grounds are other outsized movie characters, which were designed, hand-crafted and shipped from abroad especially for Studio Tinapa. Spanning over 80 square meters, the sound studio will include a Master Control Suite and a fully equiped music recording area with isolated chambers. At any given moment, Studio Tinapa can accommodate hundreds of visitors and cinema professionals, enjoying its advanced facilities and infrastructure. There is enough parking space for visitors' vehicles.

Surprisingly, President Obasanjo did not politic as he commissioned the Tinapa project. His speech was sharp and short. "Specially endowed with abundant human and natural resources, our dear country, Nigeria, has enormous potential to attain greatness and achieve economic prosperity for its citizens. With the right leadership driven by vision, courage, passionate commitment, hard work and prudence in the application of resources, in addition to a supportive citizenry, Nigeria clearly stands out as a land of unlimited opportunities for growth, development and economy prosperity. Today, a path is being charted for the attainment of the greatness. A wonderfull change has taken place in this part of our country where a state goverment has effected significant transformation for the benefit of all Nigerians and the entire traveling and investing world. The establishment of Tinapa Business Resort has created a positive window through which the entire world now sees Nigeria.The unique addition of Tinapa Movie Studios has provided a plattform for the production of films that will be shot in Africa and beyond. Henceforth, our NOLLYWOOD will cease to remain in abstraction but find an abode in the same manner that its peers in North America, Europe and Asia have done". He took another look at the Hollywood look alike studio and congratulated Governor Duke and the good people of Cross River State for giving Nigeria a new image in world tourism and commerce. This great speech was at the Studio Tinapa home to NOLLYWOOD, where dreams are realised.

The Tinapa Resort project is to be developed in phases. The first phase, commissioned last week, consists of specific components that will form the foundation of the development of a leisure tourism market in Nigeria. These components are a shopping complex of four wholesale emporiums, which includes, 60 retail outlets, a food court with take-away outlets and a communal sitting area. It has an administrative centre, parking for approximately 3,000 cars and coaches.

Jut as I thought, Nice pictures.. but i think we were more intrested in the project than the actual individuals who attended. Great job Tbite, you are one top class journalist!!

Its hard to get pictures of the complete commissioned project, so i settled for those i could get of the
project.

http://www.tinapa.com/scripts/piclibrary/ShowPicture.asp?imType=low&pl_id=302

http://www.tinapa.com/scripts/piclibrary/ShowPicture.asp?imType=low&pl_id=304

http://www.tinapa.com/scripts/piclibrary/ShowPicture.asp?imType=low&pl_id=308

http://www.tinapa.com/scripts/piclibrary/ShowPicture.asp?imType=low&pl_id=307

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/214/453129215_20b84f8c00_o.jpg

We have already seen these photos tho..

Thanks for pointing this out Lephillippe. I have removed the constructions photos
and left a few that looks more recent.

Nice, I cant wait to see the inside, great work :banana: :banana:

How lovely those pics, I can´t get enough of them! Donald Duke, one of the few Nigerians that truly loves his country! No endless and shallow lip service but real action! Pity that he will never make it to the top!:ohno:

Tinapa looks gorgeous from what I can see so far..and I like the classy and chic people on the pics, especially the lady in the white blouse and black skirt with high heel shoes and J´Lo style sunglasses! She represents the young, fresh, business-minded, competent and cosmopolitan NEW NIGERIA! Same like D. Duke!:cheers: :cheers: She could be his wife!

another person i trusted is the information minister mr junior nweke,i think they are type we need in nigeria.

http://www.heartofafrica.com/images/419%20is%20not%20our%20label.jpg

http://www.nairaland.com/attachments/34485_100_1240_JPG446f62d0e657053115cf9025ca061c35
http://www.nairaland.com/attachments/34487_100_1242_JPGbb73490faf3faa1dfe6941edc1a51281
http://www.nairaland.com/attachments/34493_100_1273_JPG54f4009b7c1ddc421beb9117cce56595
http://www.nairaland.com/attachments/34488_100_1295_JPG2ea9881a40febd09549db14e19ec8cfe
http://www.nairaland.com/attachments/34489_100_1277_JPG09f1aeec569e474a91bbb4269d9a19bb
^^ Crafts Village
http://www.nairaland.com/attachments/34492_100_1279_JPG23dc26f54f56b304b0ecd66b72327df6

Yup best pics so far!!

Nice pics! :cheers:
Where did u get them?

nairaland.com, there are some useless pics on the tinapa site!!

That´s a render, I just wanted to post it ´cos it just shows on a larger version how big the area around the four emporiums really is:cheers:

http://bp3.blogger.com/_8sWJgd3wRKs/RiKOWmlNekI/AAAAAAAAATA/HjhFkdjqUF4/s1600/Overview.jpg

WHat render

God Bless Duke for what he's contributed to make Nigeria great...

WHat render

Just copy th Image URL of the Image that Matthias posted into your browser, and it automatically prompts you to download it. It's a very detailed render.

http://www.showafrika.com/sitebuilder/images/02042007681-540x384.jpg
http://www.showafrika.com/sitebuilder/images/02042007679-450x342.jpg
http://www.showafrika.com/sitebuilder/images/02042007678-450x357.jpg
Tinapa is a free trade zone and all ready has almost 23,000 tenants. It is
the only of its type in West Africa. The well-structured Tinapa Resort also
plays host to four world class
shopping
malls.
These malls
are said to
be about
the size of
two football
fields each.
These malls
contain
thousands
of shops
with some
banks
located
nearby.
http://www.showafrika.com/sitebuilder/images/02042007709-480x348.jpg
http://www.showafrika.com/sitebuilder/images/02042007714-405x295.jpg
PART OF CRAFT VILLAGE
http://www.showafrika.com/sitebuilder/images/02042007700-525x393.jpg
http://www.showafrika.com/sitebuilder/images/02042007692-435x300.jpg

Water was not wasted as it was made to flow in the most decorative
ways possible.
The population on the commissioning day was high but parking space
was not a problem. They are car parks at every region of the resort. Cars
are safe at
night thanks
to the
ever-shining
street lights.
The street
light poles are
spectacularly
designed and
are said to
be as firm as
a coconut tree.
The gardens
and flowers
all over the
resort gives it
the beautiful
natural look and feeling.
Show afrika crew got lost while trying to exit the premises. The crew
decided to ask a security personnel directions through the curly
multi-linked roads of Tinapa.
Tinapa does not have to worry about power outage as an
independent
power
plant has
been put
in place to
ensure
uninterrupte
d power
supply.
The IPP
presently
generates
upto 18
mega watts
of electricity
which is
more than
required
to
power the whole resort....

http://www.showafrika.com/sitebuilder/images/02042007752-405x315.jpg
http://www.showafrika.com/sitebuilder/images/02042007705-510x381.jpg
http://www.showafrika.com/sitebuilder/images/02042007682-420x330.jpg

I HAVE GOT WAT U'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR

http://www.showafrika.com/sitebuilder/images/02042007689-525x383.jpg
http://www.showafrika.com/sitebuilder/images/02042007696-510x379.jpg

Tinapa is meant to generate about 15,000 jobs and to contribute
generously to the Nigerian annual income.
Showafrika cannot wait until the second and then third phase of tinapa
is completed which would include a game arcade, casino, swimming
pools, hotels of all stars more shopping and fun for all.
http://www.showafrika.com/sitebuilder/images/02042007726-465x343.jpg

http://www.showafrika.com/sitebuilder/images/02042007686-435x326.jpg
THESE IS AMAZING.
http://www.showafrika.com/sitebuilder/images/HPIM0915-515x384.jpg

Hott

CAN YOU SEE THOSE POLICE BOATS OVER

U'VE SEE NOTHING YET

http://www.showafrika.com/sitebuilder/images/HPIM0925-320x234.jpg

http://www.showafrika.com/sitebuilder/images/HPIM0928-495x369.jpg

http://www.showafrika.com/sitebuilder/images/HPIM0929-485x360.jpg
http://www.showafrika.com/sitebuilder/images/HPIM0930-470x348.jpg
http://www.showafrika.com/sitebuilder/images/HPIM0933-540x402.jpg
THIS IS HOT.

Water was not wasted as it was made to flow in the most decorative
ways possible.
The population on the commissioning day was high but parking space
was not a problem. They are car parks at every region of the resort. Cars
are safe at
night thanks
to the
ever-shining
street lights.
The street
light poles are
spectacularly
designed and
are said to
be as firm as
a coconut tree.
The gardens
and flowers
all over the
resort gives it
the beautiful
natural look and feeling.
Show afrika crew got lost while trying to exit the premises. The crew
decided to ask a security personnel directions through the curly
multi-linked roads of Tinapa.
Tinapa does not have to worry about power outage as an
independent
power
plant has
been put
in place to
ensure
uninterrupte
d power
supply.
The IPP
presently
generates
upto 18
mega watts
of electricity
which is
more than
required
to
power the whole resort....

Good stuff, but with all due respect do you know how to make a nice post? You post so random and it's doesn't look nice, please follow the format! Make your posts look organized...jeez.

yeah, i have to agree with Pappy. No offence intended but imagine if TINAPA was built like the way you posted your previous comment. For sure you wouldn't be proud of that. This is the sort of thing that i find annoying about my fellow africans. We don't make the little effort it takes to ensure that what we do is well structured and we can be proud of the end results. Hence we end up with complete chaos from our cities, governments, electricity, telephone networks etc.

Charity starts at home as they say. So please take an effort to ensure that whatever you post is well structured and if we all apply the same principles in other areas of our lives, we will have a BETTER AFRICA that we all can be proud of. I get very frustrated when i visit places like Ghana where i see the most gross installations of telephone lines with cables hanging like crazy everywhere often so low that a simple SUV can cut these cables if it went past them and poles that are just about to fall off. Sorry guys for going off like this but i just feel as africans we really must start building things that we are going to be proud of and stop pulling each other down and being utterly lazy. Anyway enough of my ranting, maybe i must start a thread to discuss this separately.

yeah, i have to agree with Pappy. No offence intended but imagine if TINAPA was built like the way you posted your previous comment. For sure you wouldn't be proud of that. This is the sort of thing that i find annoying about my fellow africans. We don't make the little effort it takes to ensure that what we do is well structured and we can be proud of the end results. Hence we end up with complete chaos from our cities, governments, electricity, telephone networks etc.

Charity starts at home as they say. So please take an effort to ensure that whatever you post is well structured and if we all apply the same principles in other areas of our lives, we will have a BETTER AFRICA that we all can be proud of. I get very frustrated when i visit places like Ghana where i see the most gross installations of telephone lines with cables hanging like crazy everywhere often so low that a simple SUV can cut these cables if it went past them and poles that are just about to fall off. Sorry guys for going off like this but i just feel as africans we really must start building things that we are going to be proud of and stop pulling each other down and being utterly lazy. Anyway enough of my ranting, maybe i must start a thread to discuss this separately.

Well said.

Nice pictures Naija:)

Hotel Tinapa
http://www.tinapa.com/scripts/piclibrary/ShowPicture.asp?imType=high&pl_id=321

Studio Tinapa
http://www.tinapa.com/images/news/nollywood_studio_full.jpg

http://www.tinapa.com/scripts/piclibrary/ShowPicture.asp?imType=low&pl_id=319

http://www.tinapa.com/scripts/piclibrary/ShowPicture.asp?imType=low&pl_id=320

Emporiums
http://www.tinapa.com/scripts/piclibrary/ShowPicture.asp?imType=low&pl_id=324

http://www.tinapa.com/scripts/piclibrary/ShowPicture.asp?imType=low&pl_id=322

http://www.tinapa.com/images/news/shops_full.jpg

great find tbite!

Naija and Tbite, great photos, that´s the Nigeria I want to see! I simply love that Tinapa City Project!

another shot.
http://showafrika.com/sitebuilder/images/02042007680-435x341.jpg
2
http://showafrika.com/sitebuilder/images/02042007728-270x229.jpg

Some Tinapa Renders, including that of The 4 Emporiums(West Africa's Largest Retail Complex)
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m69/topstar_01/Tinapa1.jpg http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m69/topstar_01/Tinapa2.jpg http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m69/topstar_01/Tinapa3.jpg http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m69/topstar_01/Tinapa4.jpg

OMG,T'bite u've done it again.These are the best photos of Tinapa i ever saw!

Tbite, very nice as always!:cheers:

I am very proud of Tinapa Complex!:banana: :banana:

Studio Tinapa
http://photo.ringo.com/210/210834611O824193623.jpg

Hotel Tinapa
http://photo.ringo.com/210/210834518O662421512.jpg

First shop opens to public in Tinapa

.........http://odili.net/news/source/2007/aug/10/punch/images/4.jpg.............

The first shopping mall has opened to the public at the Tinapa business and leisure resort, about four months after its inauguration .

The shop, Woodin Le Createur, which markets African fabrics, experienced a heavy traffic of buyers on Thursday, less than 24 hours after it was opened to the public.

Among those who thronged the shop to make purchases were patrons from Lagos, some states of the North and from the South, particularly Calabar and Uyo.

On Friday, the Managing Director, Tinapa, Mr Bassey Ndem, had announced that about 200 investors had made commitments in terms of renting shops and was optimistic that by December this year, full trading would have commenced.

The managing director had said that there was the need for the necessary legal and bureaucratic requirements to be put in place to enhance a smooth business in the resort, before the commencement of business.

Our correspondent learnt that Woodin, with headquarters in Holland and its African base in Ghana, made its first sales in Tinapa on Wednesday, although more members of the public started purchases in earnest on Thursday.

The Country Manager, Woodin, Ronke Folawiyo, told journalists at the complex on Thursday that retail buyers had besieged the place since Wednesday for purchases, and confirmed that most of the buyers were from outside the state.

She said her company believed in the Tinapa dream, hence its resolve to invest there.

According to her, the response so far had been challenging and encouraging, adding that it was a thing of joy to be the first to begin business in the resort.

Our correspondent noticed that the cost of goods at the shop were quite cheap, confirming the Managing Director’s stance.

^^That's good news, hopefully by december the place will be booming.

More photos of inauguration week :cheers:

http://www.eventful-ltd.com/images/gallery13.jpg

http://www.eventful-ltd.com/images/gallery14.jpg

http://www.eventful-ltd.com/images/gallery18.jpg

http://www.eventful-ltd.com/images/gallery31.jpg

http://www.eventful-ltd.com/images/gallery19.jpg

http://www.eventful-ltd.com/images/gallery21.jpg

http://www.eventful-ltd.com/images/gallery30.jpg

http://www.eventful-ltd.com/images/gallery15.jpg

http://www.eventful-ltd.com/images/gallery29.jpg

http://www.eventful-ltd.com/images/gallery28.jpg

http://www.eventful-ltd.com/images/gallery8.jpg

Tinapa, September 2007

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1201/1370758253_f95b3b6bca_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1395/1370755359_0da16766fb.jpg?v=0

Nigeria's Tinapa: new Dubai or white elephant?

Nigeria's Tinapa: new Dubai or white elephant?
Wed Dec 26, 2007


TINAPA, Nigeria (Reuters) - In the minds of its creators, the Tinapa resort in southeastern Nigeria will rival Dubai or London as a shopping and trading paradise for rich and enterprising Nigerians.

In reality, about $340 million has been spent since 2005 but 80,000 square meters of pristine retail space lie empty, the silence broken only by the footsteps of a few security guards.

The 243-room hotel with a river view is not quite finished. Neither is the water park with its giant snaking slide and wave pool, or the movie theme park -- though a King Kong figure already tops a golden dome.

Originally set for 2006, the launch keeps being postponed, and many fear that inertia is setting in, both because of construction delays and bureaucracy.

Nigeria is Africa's top oil producer, but decades of misrule and corruption have left most of its 140 million people stuck in poverty and its infrastructure in decay. In that context, Tinapa is a bold experiment -- visionary to some, foolhardy to others.

Nigeria's biggest banks have invested in it, though the state of Cross River where the resort is located and the federal government have contributed more and are now heavily in debt.

"The investors knew it would take time for the vision to take hold," said Donald Duke, the former Cross River governor who masterminded the project, in an editorial this month.

He predicted that three years after completion, Tinapa would be drawing 3 million visitors a year and generating an annual 300 billion naira ($2.5 billion) with an enormous multiplier effect on the economy of Cross River and Nigeria as a whole.

PATIENCE RUNNING THIN

But such predictions are a long way from fruition.

"This place should be booming but instead it is empty," said Ushie Peter Tinker, a project manager at a non-government organization, who had taken time off from work in the nearby city of Calabar to visit Tinapa on a recent morning.

Some of the empty shops are already branded with the logos of prestigious clothes, textiles or cosmetics chains and mobile phone networks MTN and Celtel, the two biggest in Nigeria. Three banks have opened branches but there are no customers in sight.

Only one shop was fully stocked, with colorful fabrics imported from other West African countries, but even though it displayed in its window a letter from Tinapa management authorizing the sale of duty free products, it was closed.

"Customs have been preventing us from selling. They say we have to pay duty. That's why no one else has opened. Meanwhile our rent is running but our patience is running thin," said a member of staff, who did not wish to be named.

This is ominous. Customs are one of the most corrupt institutions in Nigeria, the finance minister said last month, and have a powerful vested interest against duty free trade.

But Bassey Ndem, Tinapa's chief executive, said its free trade status had received political approval and customs chiefs would soon match that with the necessary paperwork.

He said Tinapa would succeed because there was pent-up demand for it from affluent Nigerians who currently travel to Europe, the United States or Dubai on shopping holidays.

The idea is for them to have fun at the water park and movie centre and also satisfy their appetite for fashionable brands at duty free prices. There are plans to add a golf course, casino and games arcade.

GLAMOUR

Tinapa has spent big money advertising on news channel

CNN.

"Our target customers don't watch Nigerian television, they watch CNN. To them, Nigeria is not glamorous. We want them to associate Tinapa in their minds with Dubai or Paris," said Ndem.

The other key target group for Tinapa are Nigerian traders who take frequent flights to Dubai, India or China to buy goods which they bring back as luggage and sell at home.

"The traders who jump on the plane every two weeks to Dubai or the far East, and those who would like to but can't because they don't have a visa or they can't afford the flights -- these are the people who will make up the numbers we need," said Ndem.

In theory, wholesale goods will be duty free inside Tinapa, though traders will have to pay taxes when they sell the goods outside. This would still be cheaper than flights and visas.

One thing that Tinapa already has going for it is the quality of the infrastructure. Designed by South African and Nigerian architects and built by the Nigerian arm of a German construction group, it is unlike anything else in Nigeria.

"It's like being in Europe. It's something every African can be proud of," said Peary Idornigie of Ecobank, one of Tinapa's financiers. He was on a private visit to see for himself.

"For the first time I feel proud to be associated with Africa and Nigeria," he said.

(Reporting by Estelle Shirbon; Editing by Eddie Evans)

What a shame, that after spending nearly 350 million dollars, not a single sustainable shop is open for business. Very revealing. The promoters seemingly love to blame Nigeria Customs for blocking the tax-free/duty free transactions, but in reality they have nobody to blame but themselves for not securing the paperwork in the onset. I mean they had 3 years to do it. Obasanjo was in town to even "commission" the facility. Somebody in Tinapa Business Resort LTD. screwed up ROYALLY, perhaps this is the reason why the Tinapa company fired its CEO earlier this year. All I know is that Tinapa will be either an unprecedented success or unprecedented failure in Nigeria depending on how quickly the promoters get the necessary paperwork complete for hitch-free duty free trade in the zone. Otherwise, nobody will open for business and the infrastructure investment will somehow need to be recouped...

when i was there the complaint seemed to be that the construction was not done. the companies were taking too damn long to finish.

nevertheless i expect it to be a success. my cousin tells me a few stores are open. and he was there just last week

when i was there the complaint seemed to be that the construction was not done. the companies were taking too damn long to finish.

nevertheless i expect it to be a success. my cousin tells me a few stores are open. and he was there just last week

Their site is closed!!

I hope the issue gets resolved soon.

http://www.reuters.com/resources/r/?m=02&d=20071226&t=2&i=2592432&w=&r=2007-12-26T192212Z_01_L17185924_RTRUKOP_0_PICTURE0

http://www.reuters.com/resources/r/?m=02&d=20071226&t=2&i=2592438&w=&r=2007-12-26T192212Z_01_L17185924_RTRUKOP_0_PICTURE2

http://www.reuters.com/resources/r/?m=02&d=20071226&t=2&i=2592436&w=&r=2007-12-26T192212Z_01_L17185924_RTRUKOP_0_PICTURE4

http://www.reuters.com/resources/r/?m=02&d=20071226&t=2&i=2592435&w=&r=2007-12-26T192212Z_01_L17185924_RTRUKOP_0_PICTURE5

studio tinapa
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2025/2142203337_b818fc74bd.jpg?v=0
________________________
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2128/2142992032_e136cc3705.jpg?v=0
___________________________
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2184/2142206161_b4656b2550.jpg?v=0
_______________________________________
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2229/2143000036_3c23b9accc.jpg?v=0
HOTEL AT TINAPA CITY
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2077/2142191935_e7927172f4.jpg?v=0
___________________________
WALK WAY
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2219/2142980158_a56911bf28.jpg?v=0
HOTEL
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2132/2142180763_69f0d1ee76.jpg?v=0
HUTS
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2231/2142969514_4733c4f3d9.jpg?v=0
RIVER VIEW
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2233/2142965550_48acc6c297.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2384/2142170327_23b53e46fc.jpg?v=0
SHOPS
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2370/2142166919_aa6ecb5071.jpg?v=0
STAIRS
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2328/2142163669_27a35f2a6a.jpg?v=0
ROAD TO TINAPA
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2350/2142946548_b863bfa5df.jpg?v=0

Mirage Hotel Calabar

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2340/2142151867_224fb4ee21.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2273/2142939952_fc246f4f11.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2136/2142145359_5d8a8828dc.jpg?v=0

Security

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2181/2142952750_346df737ca.jpg?v=0

Well, I don´t know what to make of the article, sounds frustrating, I just hope that it gets solved speedily. ...anyway, it still seems to be under construction as far the pics are concerned.

I wonder what D.Duke has to say to it now?

I still wonder whwther the Western media had reported about Tinapa if everything had gone by plan ..... SURELY NOT ...because their century old mindsets about Africa wouldn´t have confirmed.

If things turn around, will the Western press write about it? my answer is a firm NO!

Well, I don´t know what to make of the article, sounds frustrating, I just hope that it gets solved speedily. ...anyway, it still seems to be under construction as far the pics are concerned.

I wonder what D.Duke has to say to it now?

I still wonder whwther the Western media had reported about Tinapa if everything had gone by plan ..... SURELY NOT ...because their century old mindsets about Africa wouldn´t have confirmed.

If things turn around, will the Western press write about it? my answer is a firm NO!

Duke is mentioned in the article. he has spoken a couple of times and has said essentially be patient. it seems cosntruction is the main porblem.

i had the same reaction you had. ive never read about tinapa in th western press until this. in fact they once did a story on a golf course an american opened 45 minutes from tinapa, yet spoke solely about the golf course, like it was a revolutionary project. yet nothing about tinapa. now out of the blue...this

Well, there was this headline by Reuters back in April:

Nigeria launches $350 mln business, leisure resort
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL02680939

The trouble is, nearly 9 months following "inauguration" - neither shoppers or sellers are seen anywhere. Surely, something is seriously wrong, since phase 1 is totally complete as far as shellspace and infrastructure goes!

Well, I don´t know what to make of the article, sounds frustrating, I just hope that it gets solved speedily. ...anyway, it still seems to be under construction as far the pics are concerned.

I wonder what D.Duke has to say to it now?

I still wonder whwther the Western media had reported about Tinapa if everything had gone by plan ..... SURELY NOT ...because their century old mindsets about Africa wouldn´t have confirmed.

If things turn around, will the Western press write about it? my answer is a firm NO!

shut the **** UP with your stereotype western media bashing. this is not the issue here and i can´t hear that issue anymore. everbody knew that this is a risky speculative project and that the whole society inculding all branches are infected with corrupt practices in nigeria. nobody can hide a $350million project that is not running properly.

verpiss dich doch unde geil dich an nazi deutschland auf, du kotzt mich eh an mit deiner scheiss deutschland!

The Article below is from a respected Nigerian Magazine (Tell) and it is in their latest Edition which can found here. http://tellng.com/news/articles/071011-8/news/biz_tinapapull.html
This Article is a huge contrast from the one about The white elephant article. Thats why I hardly believe some western Medium

The Tinapa Pull (© 2007 Tell Communications Ltd. All rights reserved)

Michael Bolton is no mean star. He is a world-acclaimed singer who has won the prestigious Grammy Award several times as the best male vocalist. His albums are said to have sold several million copies around the world, making him one of the world’s most famous stars. But his appearance at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, recently, was not to promote his albums but to add international flavor to the Tinapa project.
The occasion was the Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort, TBLR, awareness forum organised by Enterprise Nigeria Foundation, ENF, in collaboration with Blackberry of MTN, United Bank for Africa, UBA, and TBLR, to sensitise people about the business potential and strategic economic benefits of the widely acclaimed project. But it was not just all about business, as music and comedy were also blended with the event to spice up the night. Besides the thrilling performance by Bolton, Nigerian artistes like Sunny Neji, D’Banj and Temitayo George of the Idols West Africa fame were also on hand to delight the audience who undoubtedly were savouring the beauty of business laced with pleasure.
The event, which had as its theme “Tinapa Business Opportunities”, attracted a mainly distinguished audience – business executives, industry leaders, expatriates, high networth individuals from the corporate world, top bank executives, members of the diplomatic community, policy makers, the organised private sector as well as prospective investors who obviously have caught the Tinapa bug.
The ENF, affiliated to Empretec Nigeria Foundation, an initiative of the United Nations Development Programme and United Nations Office for Special Projects, UNOPS, seeks to create awareness about the many business and job opportunities which the Tinapa project offers. Onari Duke, country director, Empretec, set the tone for the main agenda with her visual presentation on the activities of ENF in Nigeria. Duke, wife of Donald Duke, former governor of Cross River State and initiator of the Tinapa project, says the foundation is set to encourage small and medium-scale enterprises, SMEs, to explore the business potential of the Tinapa project with a view to expanding the scope of their businesses.
According to her, Empretec provides support to growth-oriented SMEs to make significant contributions to the socio-economic development of Nigeria through employment generation and wealth creation. She says the foundation does this through the provision of skill and business development programmes, as well as guidance on micro-credit financing and linkages with other local, national and foreign businesses, among others. Since its inception in 1999, Duke says ENF, in collaboration with the United Nations Centre for Trade and Development, UNCTAD, has provided training and capacity building to over 3,000 beneficiaries under its Empretec training workshops in Calabar, Lagos and Abuja. She says Tinapa provides an ideal environment for SMEs in the country to thrive and a platform in implementing a national strategy for employment generation and economic growth.
The recent experience of Bassey Ndem, the new managing director of TBLR, perhaps paints a clearer picture of the reality and prospects of Tinapa. When he got to the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar, to take a flight to Lagos for the programme, he noticed the worried look on the face of one of his officials who had been at the airport much earlier to book his flight. He enquired if somebody died. But the official was only frustrated because he could not get a confirmation for the managing director’s flight to Lagos. Before 1999, there was only one flight per day on the Calabar to Lagos route. Ndem says the situation has now changed considerably as there are nine flights daily on the route, and they are oftentimes fully booked days ahead of the scheduled flights. The airport in Calabar has become one of the busiest in the country, an indication that the city has become a major attraction for business and leisure travellers. Besides the airport, the road to Calabar is also getting busier as more people, especially from neighbouring states, enter the city by road. Ndem reveals that hotels in Calabar now record 100 per cent occupancy rate, expressing concern that more hotel and transport facilities would be needed to cope with the growing number of visitors. He says when the Tinapa project is fully operational, it would attract between two and three thousand visitors daily. For purpose-driven individuals and business concerns, the development presents more opening for business investments in the state, especially in areas of hospitality, tourism, entertainment, agriculture, manufacturing, export trade, entrepreneurship as well as the provision of banking, telecommunications, legal and financial services, among others.
According to him, Tinapa is designed as an international business and leisure resort aimed at transforming Calabar into a major trading hub in the mould of Dubai and Hong Kong, while providing a unique tourism experience that would drive the socio-economic growth of the state in particular and the country in general. Its proximity to a seaport is a major boost to the maritime industry as the city will now serve as a major port for goods into and out of the country. Ndem says about 5,000 containers will arrive Tinapa yearly, a situation which would ultimately trigger clusters of business ventures, especially in the transport sector, and create massive employment opportunities.
The Tinapa initiative, when fully harnessed, will bring a lot of benefits to the country in view of the large number of Nigerians that travel to places like London, Hong Kong, New York and Dubai for shopping. Nigerians reportedly spend several millions of United States dollars on air fare and purchase of goods. To cope with the growing number of business travellers, for example, Emirates Airlines is said to be making plans to introduce a bigger aircraft on the Lagos to Dubai route. Ndem reveals that there are more than 16,000 Nigerians who work as agents in Dubai, linking buyers and sellers. If Tinapa lives up to expectations and provides the expected shopping convenience, it would ultimately discourage frequent business trips abroad as most of the goods traded in those international trading hubs would be available locally, even at more attractive prices. The multiplier effects in terms of job creation, skill acquisition, increased foreign direct investment and alternative income generation would be unquantifiable.
Success, it is said, has many fathers, and Tinapa is no exception. Barely six months after it was commissioned by Olusegun Obasanjo, then Nigeria’s President, the project is already creating excitement nationally and internationally, resulting in the growing presence of notable business concerns like telecommunications outfits, banks and other financial service providers, airlines, shopping malls, restaurants and many others. The support and patronage it receives from notable firms like MTN Nigeria, UBA, First Bank of Nigeria, Union Bank of Nigeria, Ecobank Nigeria, Oceanic Bank International, IBTC Chartered Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Diamond Bank, Skye Bank, Bank PHB, Afribank Nigeria, Spring Bank, Fidelity Bank, Standard Trust Assurance, North American Airlines and TriQuest Energy attest to the high level of confidence the project inspires.
Right from inception, Tinapa, the innovative money-spinner in the state, has enjoyed the support of the federal government, which has consistently put in place policy measures and provided incentives for the project to succeed. Shina Agboluaje, general manager, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, assures that government would continue to put in place measures to ensure the sustainability of Tinapa. He disclosed that even though Tinapa is a in a duty-free zone, relevant agencies like Immigration and Customs are there to ensure a smooth operation.
Tinapa is said to be making steady but sure progress. With the large emporiums, line shops, cinemas, water parks, movie studios with state-of-the art facilities and many other world-class facilities, the long-term vision of making Tinapa the Dubai of Africa may be achieved earlier than envisaged.





© 2007 Tell Communications Ltd. All rights reserved.

shut the **** UP with your stereotype western media bashing. this is not the issue here and i can´t hear that issue anymore. everbody knew that this is a risky speculative project and that the whole society inculding all branches are infected with corrupt practices in nigeria. nobody can hide a $350million project that is not running properly.

You seem to me like a mentally deranged person...are you sane? Must you swear?

Well, there was this headline by Reuters back in April:

Nigeria launches $350 mln business, leisure resort
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL02680939

The trouble is, nearly 9 months following "inauguration" - neither shoppers or sellers are seen anywhere. Surely, something is seriously wrong, since phase 1 is totally complete as far as shellspace and infrastructure goes!

how do you figure shelfspace is so far complete. when i visited the place i happned to come across one of the julius berger construction heads and h explained that the infrastructure that would allow a great number of peopel to come in was not as yet complete. aditionally. he blamed the slow down in construction on the arab contractors (one of the subcontractors)

i cant see how phase one is complete without the hotel being finished as yet. either way its behind schedule, and as the article states unfortunately inertia is setting in.

thanks for the rueters article, i did not see it when it came out.

shut the **** UP with your stereotype western media bashing. this is not the issue here and i can´t hear that issue anymore. everbody knew that this is a risky speculative project and that the whole society inculding all branches are infected with corrupt practices in nigeria. nobody can hide a $350million project that is not running properly.

Calm down buddy! This isn't a case of corruption at all, it's just that the project hasn't taken off as planned that's all. I hope and pray that it eventually will.

The western Media tend to write like they know Nigeria more than Nigerians. The reuters Article which i just finished reading is a biased article. I am commenting from experience as an ex journalist and press man.

Why can`t they write about a good project without making emphasis to the level of corruption and crime in Nigeria, that there is disservice to Nigeria because nobody will want to invest in a society riddled with crime, poverty and corruption.

Please lets learn to obtain facts from Nigerian media. They know better and will say it as it is.

Calm down buddy! This isn't a case of corruption at all, it's just that the project hasn't taken off as planned that's all. I hope and pray that it eventually will.


It will, they are still on a sensitisation programme at the moment.

Why is the website deactivated?
As we speak, they advertize on CNN daily yet they can't even maintain a webpage with contact numbers and more info?
Fishy!

Why is the website deactivated?
As we speak, they advertize on CNN daily yet they can't even maintain a webpage with contact numbers and more info?
Fishy!

actually the contact info is on the site. But i said the same thing about the www.crossriverstate.com website when it went down. but it was revived and is better than the previous website. i imagine the same will apply to the tinapa site. besides the previous site did not have the most recent updates and relevant info.

There was a documentary on CNN more than a year ago, on the whole Cross River State. There was footage of the Obudu ranch, the cable car and Tinapa. Tinapa has received some attention from Western Media.

Why is the website deactivated?
As we speak, they advertize on CNN daily yet they can't even maintain a webpage with contact numbers and more info?
Fishy!


I do not think the website have been deactivated base on the info i have got for the site. see below. It says deactivated temporarily probably for maintaninace or upgrade. Be optmistic bruff, some thing good definitely came out of Jerusalem against all odds. TINAPA is too big to be abandoned.


Last Update Date: 2006-12-19

IP Address: 196.35.70.189
Website Status: active
Server Type: Microsoft-IIS/6.0
Alexa Trend/Rank: 1 Month: 3,475,439 3 Month: 3,505,050
Page Views per Visit: 1 Month: 1.0 3 Month: 1.6
Cache Date: 2007-12-29 16:00:28 MST
Compare Archived Data: 2007-05-20


Domain Name: tinapa.com

Status: ok

Registrar: NETWORK SOLUTIONS, LLC.
Whois Server: whois.networksolutions.com
Referral URL: http://www.networksolutions.com

Expiration Date: 2009-01-05
Creation Date: 2004-01-05
Last Update Date: 2007-12-06

Name Servers:
demeter.is.co.za
jupiter.is.co.za
titan.is.co.za

The western Media tend to write like they know Nigeria more than Nigerians. The reuters Article which i just finished reading is a biased article. I am commenting from experience as an ex journalist and press man.

Why can`t they write about a good project without making emphasis to the level of corruption and crime in Nigeria, that there is disservice to Nigeria because nobody will want to invest in a society riddled with crime, poverty and corruption.

Please lets learn to obtain facts from Nigerian media. They know better and will say it as it is.

It is ridiculous. Nigeria's economy is thriving, and the only other country with more foreign investment in Africa is Morocco. Tinapa was built on investments, investments that would not have been feasible if the country was so nontransparent and corruption riddled. Was Tinapa purely Government funded. Reuters employees took pictures of Tinapa. How did those structures spring up, if the country is so tarnished by corruption. It wasn't a government project.

This phase of construction needs to be completed

http://www.adoresecurity.com/uploads/galleries_pictures_ID4/DSCF0004.jpg

http://www.adoresecurity.com/uploads/galleries_pictures_ID4/DSCF0019.jpg

http://www.adoresecurity.com/uploads/galleries_pictures_ID4/DSCF0020.jpg

The studio is complete if I am not mistaken, but the theme park is yet to be built.

The western Media tend to write like they know Nigeria more than Nigerians. The reuters Article which i just finished reading is a biased article. I am commenting from experience as an ex journalist and press man.

Why can`t they write about a good project without making emphasis to the level of corruption and crime in Nigeria, that there is disservice to Nigeria because nobody will want to invest in a society riddled with crime, poverty and corruption.

Please lets learn to obtain facts from Nigerian media. They know better and will say it as it is.


i read the news from dubai's GULF NEWS and they did emphasize on corruption...very annoying :bash:

Studio Tinapa
http://www.gbengasesan.com/images/studio.jpg

Some more pictures also of the Film Studios which is still u/c

This is what the people had to say where I uploaded the pics from

Nigeria attempts to be a tourist location. Calabar, in south parts, was the capital while the portugese & later, british invaded the west african coast centuries ago. It is now a beautiful city, maintained very clean. Old sad memories of slave trade and transhipment by the whites...later, their freedom fight from colonisation as also release from slavary ...are all now in well preserved musuems. People enjoy a good life there now.( infact, Nigeria has built a totally modernised capital city Abuja, another well planned creation..see its album later). Calabar is hence remains a calm & healthy city. Tinapa, a new extension of Old Calabar (15 min of a fine drive) is now being developed as a commercial cum tourist spot, including a free trade zone. We visited this location ,....to find fantastic efforts of a fine architechtural creation towards a world class film studio & commercial establishments. More photos on Obudu Cattle Ranch - hillstation will follow seperately

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj56/morgenstille/tinapa3.jpg?t=1200673706


http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj56/morgenstille/tinapa2.jpg?t=1200673805

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj56/morgenstille/tinapa3.jpg?t=1200674119

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj56/morgenstille/tinapa5.jpg?t=1200674203

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj56/morgenstille/tinapa6.jpg?t=1200674249

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj56/morgenstille/tinapa8.jpg?t=1200674282

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj56/morgenstille/tinapa9.jpg?t=1200674513

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj56/morgenstille/tinapa10.jpg?t=1200674540

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj56/morgenstille/tinapa11.jpg?t=1200674566

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj56/morgenstille/tinapa12.jpg?t=1200674675

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj56/morgenstille/tinapa.jpg?t=1200674704

Wow, impressive. Especially the materials used and finishing. It is beginning to look like the model.

Very impressive.

Lovely photos Matt. I'd like to see construction completed aswell as new investments in Tinapa.

The whole thing looks great. My only problem with it is just little things like, dwarf garden gnomes? And then the logo of nollywood, the film industry of nigeria is King Kong holding a sign that says nollywood? None of these things are even remotely nigerian or african for that matter. And then those dinosaurs that look like they were copied from jurassic park at the entrance. The structures are amazing but the decoration, i mean how far from our culture could they get? It is really silly i guess to pick at such things but that is just my 2 cents.

The whole thing looks great. My only problem with it is just little things like, dwarf garden gnomes? And then the logo of nollywood, the film industry of nigeria is King Kong holding a sign that says nollywood? None of these things are even remotely nigerian or african for that matter. And then those dinosaurs that look like they were copied from jurassic park at the entrance. The structures are amazing but the decoration, i mean how far from our culture could they get? It is really silly i guess to pick at such things but that is just my 2 cents.

i had the same criticisms. you are completely right

Must everything in our construction have to revert to this "African touch".

It's not really of Africa till it has giraffes and zebras. I wouldn't even be suprised if a survey was released saying that America had more of such animals than Nigeria in zoos etc.

There is nothing wrong in showcasing African Culture and boosting the image of our history, past etc, but there is also nothing wrong in showcasing modern themes, that can be found anywhere in the world. These things are found in theme parks all over the world, in Asia in the Middle East. This does not mean that there is a neglect of their historical culture.

We could make every single aspect of our country "Historical", but then we would only be isolating ourselves from the world. Take America, go to Las Vegas, the strip. You have buildings modeled after architecture from all around the world. We can preserve our cultural integrity and our history, but I believe we can do so without becoming communists or Anti-West.

As much as we would like to believe that our Government really doesn't care about our history that would be wrong, this same Tinapa has many African themes, arts and crafts etc. I could go on.

Must everything in our construction have to revert to this "African touch".

It's not really of Africa till it has giraffes and zebras. I wouldn't even be suprised if a survey was released saying that America had more of such animals than Nigeria in zoos etc.

There is nothing wrong in showcasing African Culture and boosting the image of our history, past etc, but there is also nothing wrong in showcasing modern themes, that can be found anywhere in the world. These things are found in theme parks all over the world, in Asia in the Middle East. This does not mean that there is a neglect of their historical culture.

We could make every single aspect of our country "Historical", but then we would only be isolating ourselves from the world. Take America, go to Las Vegas, the strip. You have buildings modeled after architecture from all around the world. We can preserve our cultural integrity and our history, but I believe we can do so without becoming communists or Anti-West.

As much as we would like to believe that our Government really doesn't care about our history that would be wrong, this same Tinapa has many African themes, arts and crafts etc. I could go on.

You hit the nail on its head. Very well said, brief and simple!:cheers:
__________________

I don't mean to start an arguement, but the reference to las vegas in this case does not stand and i am not 'anti west'. Buildings in las vegas which are based on other cultures like mayan temples and egyptian pyramids are obviously themes. That is what they are meant to be, not give you deep historical detail. Nollywood is believe it or not one of the largest film industries in the world. The irony of the situation is you call all these things, king kong, garden gnomesm, etc universal themes when truth be told they have simply become universal because western countries know how to promote and preserve their culture and that is simply why they have become 'universal'. African culture is more than giraffes and zebras as you seem to imply and the fact that most people around the world see it as that is no surprise seeing that we never have a chance or use the chance to tell our own stories. Even most history books written about the continent are written by westerners. Do not misunderstand what i am saying, i did not criticise the construction, i said it was impressive. My only problem was with the decorations and i have just explained to you why. This is not just some theme park but the biggest film industry in africa and you are telling me you don't find the decor in poor taste? If britain was to design a building to stand as a representative of its film industry i can promise you it won't have models of lions etc. It would showcase their own culture and flaunt what they have, this would go for most countries. At the end of the day, as i said i don't want to start an unecessary areguement unless it is a discussion but this is just my 2 cents

Must everything in our construction have to revert to this "African touch".

It's not really of Africa till it has giraffes and zebras. I wouldn't even be suprised if a survey was released saying that America had more of such animals than Nigeria in zoos etc.

There is nothing wrong in showcasing African Culture and boosting the image of our history, past etc, but there is also nothing wrong in showcasing modern themes, that can be found anywhere in the world. These things are found in theme parks all over the world, in Asia in the Middle East. This does not mean that there is a neglect of their historical culture.

We could make every single aspect of our country "Historical", but then we would only be isolating ourselves from the world. Take America, go to Las Vegas, the strip. You have buildings modeled after architecture from all around the world. We can preserve our cultural integrity and our history, but I believe we can do so without becoming communists or Anti-West.

As much as we would like to believe that our Government really doesn't care about our history that would be wrong, this same Tinapa has many African themes, arts and crafts etc. I could go on.

moon blue you're absolutely correct.
you find aspects of western culture, like greek archtiecture, featured prominently in vegas. you also find aspects unique to america culture, like the king kong on top of the dome. tinapa is simple stealing ideas by using that gorilla and dinosaurs.

nollywood may use these others are familiar with but the wise thing to do is to create themes tha also reflect the hom cultre. i'd like to see a hotel ot resort that looks like the old mosques of timbuktu or built like old zimbabwe or whatever.

i was in tinapa and when i spoke to one of the builders from Berger about the 'african themes,' which were essentially huts, he shrugged and said to him its all the same, all african. if we cant even promote our own culture in a 400 million project, then when will we

I don't know what some of you guys are talking about, this looks nice.

Real threat to Tinapa as Dubai World invests $800m in Senegal

21 January, 2008 12:00:00 Pius Mordi, with agency report


Prospects of Tinapa Business Resort Centre emerging as the sole shopping paradise in the sub-region has been blighted as Dubai World Group’s Jafza subsidiary Monday signed an $800-million (N96-billion) deal to build and run a special economic zone in Senegal, its chairman said.
“We are going to invest $800-million ... construction will start this year and hopefully we will finish the first phase by 2010,” Dubai World chairman, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, said at the signing ceremony in Dakar.
The coming on stream of the resort in Dakar will pose a major challenge to the fledgling Tinapa which is priding itself as a handy alternative to the famous shopping destination in Dubai. Incidentally, the promoters of the Dakar project are the same managers of the Dubai resort.
Tinapa was commissioned on April 2, 2007 after about $340-million (N40.8-billion) had been spent since construction began in 2005. Up to 80,000 square meters of pristine retail space have been completed but most of them lie empty while the project is still beset by challenges bordering on inclement government policies and tax regimes.
One of the high points of the attractions to investors was the tax-free regime for products at the resort which is supposed to have the attributes of a free trade zone. However, the Nigeria Customs Service has failed to effect a blanket tax free regime due to the absence of an enabling law.
The tax issue is one of the cases of government’s policy inconsistencies that have tended to frustrate the project. Government’s import prohibition list has always been subjected to frequent reviews, making medium and long term business plans by investors at the resort difficult.
Although the project was earlier scheduled for completion in 2006, inadequate funding has continued to confront the project’s promoters and is a compelling factor for the phased construction of the resort.
A new and, perhaps, more debilitating challenge before Tinapa is the resurgence of militant activities by the numerous armed gangs in the Niger Delta who have vowed to cripple business life in the area as part of their campaign for a greater share of the oil revenue for oil producing states. Their campaign which is characterised by hostage taking and sabotage of oil installations has brought economic life in the area to a halt.
Donald Duke, former governor of Cross River State and the brain behind the resort had projected that three years after completion, Tinapa would be drawing three million visitors a year and generating N300-billion ($2.5-billion) yearly with an enormous multiplier effect on the economy of Cross River and Nigeria as a whole.
Another affiliate of the Dubai World Group, ports operator DP World, in October signed a 25-year concession to develop and operate Senegal’s main container port and invest more than $600-million in future port expansion.
This involves plans to build a new shipping terminal near the Senegalese capital.
Arab companies have recently stepped up an investment drive in predominantly Muslim Senegal and other West African states.

I don't think that is a threat to Nigeria Tinapa. It will create a competition and room for innovation. What makes you think it's a threat anyway? Cos of the Name?

that was the title of the article, it wasnt I that stated it was a threath. the author thinks its a threat. i think we need 100 such projects in africa. with 53 countries, we can live with 2 in each other

that was the title of the article, it wasnt I that stated it was a threath. the author thinks its a threat. i think we need 100 such projects in africa. with 53 countries, we can live with 2 in each other

:applause:

Tinapa (http://www.tinapa.com.ng)

i figured they were working on the site

That website isn't that impressive.

i know but its better than the last one.

i know but its better than the last one.

I disagree, the last one looked better.

I would say it's slightly better, but it has a few broken links and incomplete sections.

I disagree, the last one looked better.

maybe, but was it as informative?

maybe, but was it as informative?

That website was created when Tinapa wasn't even commissioned so for the info it had it was pretty good plus it looked way better.

Its not working for me. Is it tinapa.com.ng

http://www.tinapa.com.ng/

:banana::banana::banana:

Federal Government to give Regulatory Framework on TINAPA . (21/2/2008)


The Federal Executive Council will soon give its regulatory framework to enable the commencement of operations at the Tinapa Business Resort Limited which had met a lot of set backs due to lack of legislative guidelines.

Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State disclosed this while receiving the Director-General Debt Management Office, Abuja Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, who was on a quarterly visit to Tinapa Wednesday, stating that a memorandum on the legislation concerning the operations of the resort will be made known by the Federal Executive Council soon, adding that the issue has been addressed comprehensively based on the documents submitted by the State Government on its workability and potency.

Imoke noted the encouraging role played by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and the Minister of Finance to resuscitate the resort with the assistance of Debt Management Office, saying that he had looked forward to the visit because of its relevance to the people of the State, because Tinapa which is largely funded by Cross River is a Nigerian Project.

He faulted the current law on Export Processing Zones which was enacted in 1992 because it does not encourage foreign investment, averring that the stance taken by the Federal Executive Council could not have been possible without the support of the Debt Management Office and Federal Ministry of Finance as it is the determination of the Government to put in place necessary resources to achieve result in the industrialization of the State.

Imoke said it is the State’s vision to have Calabar as the commercial hob of the West African Sub-region and would encourage investments through working closely with the Debt Management Office, explaining that it is because of the role which Debt Management plays in the present dispensation that its head in the State was made a member of the State Executive Council while thanking the Office for the cooperation and assistance which the State has received from it in the last few months.

The Director-General Debt Management Office, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo said the purpose of the visit was two fold. One was to conduct a visit to Tinapa to see what was to be contributed to ensure its take off and success as well as brief the Governor on the importance of Debt Management as a factor towards development.

Nwankwo congratulated the State for the success made by Tinapa and believed it is a project every Nigerian should support because of its monumental proportions to Africa, adding that while appreciating the effort of Government in fighting to put the resort on course, he wished a lot can be done to move it forward and hoped Nigerians can play collective part.

The Director-General assured that his office would work to remove the constraints militating against the smooth take off of Tinapa because of Government’s posture to ensure such constraints are addressed while commending Cross River for being one of the States to introduce Debt Management Office and create impact in that area.

According to him, they have taken the initiative to establish the office in all the States with the cooperation of Cross River as templates have been developed based on contribution from Cross River to help States while consultants are to be employed to assist States where there are no man-power.

He disclosed that all States have external and internal debts while initiating projects to better the lives of the people, adding that some of the debts incurred have some advantages imbedded in them while reasoning that States should market for long term funds with effective bond of 10 years as they are important to Federal, State Governments and individuals.
Nwankwo believed that Federal/States will continue to get funds for various projects as debt comes in at the third level while pledging to reciprocate the efforts of the State on Debt Management issues.

Tinapa Shopping Plaza

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2189/2203052275_4afdb98873_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2245/2203052277_b60267aafb_b.jpg

Movie Studio

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2388/2203859514_842346078d_b.jpg

Multi-billion naira Tinapa Business Resort to come on stream in 2008 —Imoke

Saturday, 07 June 2008

SENATOR Liyel Imoke, a one time senator, Special Adviser to the President on Public Utilities, Chairman, Technical Board of the defunct NEPA, Minister of Solid Minerals in the last administration is today, governor of Cross River State.

In this exclusive interview, Governor Imoke speaks with Saturday Vanguard on his state’s business climate and economy in general, including his plans to boost the state’s internally generated revenue, the Tinapa Business Resort , the Obudu Cattle Ranch, as well as its massive pineapple farming programme. Enjoy it.

What is the position of the multi-million dollars Tinapa Business Resort, especially as all seems so quiet about that highly applauded initiative of Cross River state?

As far as Tinapa is concerned, the state has done all that it is expected to do. What remains for Tinapa is the regulatory regime and this could only be approved by the federal government. And as you may know Free Trade Zones (FTZ) are under the Federal Ministry of Commerce, and as such on the Exclusive List. So state governments cannot legislate with relations to free trade zones.

And I believe also that a lot of other factors that affect Tinapa’s operations include Customs operations, Nigeria Ports Authority operations, as well as the airport operations are all exclusively federal. So for Tinapa to work, not only do we need federal support, but with regards to regulation, we need the federal government to approve the regulatory regime specific to Tinapa.

And this has not been done as I speak to you. But I believe that it is in the final stage and the federal government has shown support, the Ministers of Commerce and Finance have been very supportive . So, we expect that within the next couple of weeks, we will get approval for the regulatory regime, and it is pertinent to note that it is only when the regulatory regime has been clearly defined and understood that investors and tenants will put in their resources.

Is the much awaited regulatory regime to be legislated or is at a core executive function?
The executive arm of the federal government is responsible for the regulatory regime, as it is the duty of federal government agencies to publish regulations on the operation of the free trade zones.

Tinapa will be operating under the 1992 Export Processing Zones law which needs to be amended by the legislative arm of the federal government. But this also depends on the executive sending amendments or a new bill to the legislature at the federal level. So it’s at the federal level. We on our part have been working consistently on it. The Managing Director of Tinapa spends considerable time in Abuja.

We’ve been in all the committees. I also have been shuttling Abuja almost once a week, talking to all the necessary authorities. And that is why we have progressed it to where it is now. But we still need support to conclude it. The Federal Executive Council has to approve it and thereafter it will be gazetted and circulated to all prospective tenants and investors. Then they have an idea of the type of regime that will be applicable in Tinapa, and of course that forms the basis for investment decision making.

So, we can rightly say the Tinapa Business Resort will come on stream later this year.
Most definitely! Of course it will, by the grace of God.(laughter) .There was an agricultural project of the previous administration that was specifically focused on pineapples. It was quite laudable then but it appears all the applause has gone down as no one seems to be hearing anything about it. Can you tell us the state of that project now?

Agriculture is one of the key pillars of our economy and a part of our own programmes. The pineapple programme that you referred to, I think, is initiated by government with a view to get private farmers to go into pineapples on a large scale. In fact, the previous administration invested in a pineapple processing facility in the Free Trade Zone. That facility has actually been privatized, and of course the owners of that facility have also acquired another 5000 hectares of land for pineapple farming. And you will agree with me that it is a considerable amount of land which they are going to develop for pineapple.

What we’ve done in this administration is that we are focusing largely on providing a conducive atmosphere for commercial agriculture. We have a natural advantage in Cross River State in terms of not just land, but also the quality of our soil, and as such you’ll find out that we have significant plantations and we have investments that is coming into agriculture, particularly oil palm, rubber and cocoa. We’ve continued to expand our holdings in that regard, and what we’ve continued to do in this administration is that we have been creating an environment for the private sector to come in and make those investments, not planting cocoa or oil palm as government, anymore.

I know that those who are expanding their holdings considerably over the next few years will expect that the oil palm holdings in Cross Rivers State would have more than doubled.

The pineapple programme, we’ll continue to support, and at the same time, encourage those who may have invested in pineapples on our own part. We are investing more on the provision of extension services for small scale farmers as well as some form of support for land clearing and farming equipments. The policy for us as an administration is that all of us who are in government must own farms mandatorily, a minimum of 10 hectares of cash crop farm. So in Cross River State, everyone is a farmer.(general laughter).

...And what does this translate to for the state in terms of income?
In terms of income, the first thing we are hoping on generating is employment. And talking specifically on income, you don’t generate a lot of revenue from taxation of agricultural products, from the cash exportable products like cocoa and the rest of them. Yes, especially from the government plantations, it generates considerable revenue and we have also set some target for ourselves. But for us, we think that the objective is processing. It is not enough to plant more and more cocoa and keep on planting while the cocoa processing plant is in Ondo, Lagos.(laughs).

So, we’re looking at insisting that those who want to exploit the resource should also invest in the processing. The same goes on the rubber estate. We’re insisting that people cannot continue to exploit rubber here without processing. So those who have bought into the private plantations have done so with an understanding that they will ultimately process. Now that will also have its share of a considerable multiplier effect on our economy, if we cannot only grow but also process. So that is what we want to encourage and we’re creating the incentives for that to happen.

Now let’s come to the issue of power. Being a former minister in this highly controversial sector, what plans does your government have towards improved power generation and subsequent distribution to the state?

We have been looking at improving supply to Cross River State. And I think the quickest solution will be to complete the on-going project, which is the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) in Odupani as well as the various transmission projects. Be that as it may, the fortunate thing that we have is that a private company is bringing in a gas pipeline.

And if that is achieved, the possibility of generating power in Calabar becomes a reality. We have been talking with that company and looking at partnering with them to put a gas turbine plant here, and once that line is completed, it will feed a captive market in Calabar at the distribution level. So looking at the captive plants that will inject power at the distribution level in Calabar, it will be an interesting model.

These captive plants being talked about are generating plants, I suppose. Now, how do they get fired?
Yes, that’s what I am saying. Once you get gas, then you can generate electricity. Once the gas pipeline can come into Calabar and then you can generate electricity, so it will be a captive generation plant. You know it is one thing to generate electricity and it’s another thing to distribute it. So even if I generate it, when I’m distributing it , I have to feed into the national grid, the PHCN network.

But isn’t this the crux of the whole matter? Do we really need to generate and channel through the national grid? Is there no other way to get the generated power distributed, other than through the obsolete grid?
The only way is to build your own grid, and quite frankly building a grid is a significant cost. So if you ask me I would say that government should concession some of these distribution areas to private sector and then the private sector will be encouraged to.

But I thought that was the whole idea with the unbundling of the PHCN into 18 different companies?
That’s the whole idea. But let’s just hope that somebody sees it through...(laughter)
Now these captives captive plants you talked about, do you have a targeted megawatts you are hoping to generate?
It’s not about megawatts.

I always tell people not to talk about megawatts, rather it’s good to talk about demands.
You see, if you have a captive plant that treats Calabar, then what you have to do is access the demands for your potential consumer or customers as the case may be.

If you know what the demands, for instance, of a free trade zone is, in Tinapa, in the ports, in the industrial areas, you now say okay, am going to take over that area. That’s what makes it a captive area. So the utility cedes that area to you, so you can deliver electricity to that area. So the number of megawatts will be determined by the demand. The demand that is existing and planned.

So in your own project planning, you use turbines that are small and you build up in modules so you can always add additional capacity as the demand grows.

If you generate all the power and you can feed it into the system or get to the consumer, then it remains a challenge.
There must be some concession reached as no one will built a power plant, not even Cross River State government and would not have a customer to deliver the power to.

If I build a power plant and all the customers belong to PHCN, then PHCN either has to cede the customers to me or I have to build an independent network and now struggle with PHCN , even the most advanced countries don’t have multiple distribution lines feeding people. So that is a big challenge for us but if PHCN cedes aspects of the distribution network, then I would have clients and also a viable projects. It means that I have people who would take the electricity and pay for it.

The alternative, however, is to put in my plant, give the electricity to PHCN and if PHCN decides to pay me, all well and good. And the day they say they don’t have money, I don’t get paid. So that amounts to a bad investment decision under that type of arrangement. That’s why people don’t understand that there are no IPP’s nobody is building.

This development is far from being a white elephant project, once the framework has been implemented I expect the state to yield the fruits of the 1/3 of a bIllion dollar investments.

Brothers and Sisters:

We keep talking about the Niger Delta issue. We talk about actions to show the people that we care. However is an example of where the people have proactively helped themselves and the nation (by diversifying their economic base) and yet they are being held at ransom by the center. Giving Tinapa the same status as Dubai and Hong Kong is one of those actions we want to see take. Yes the summit will help but actions will are need now to help. This is a "low hang fruit" give it to the people.

God Bless Nigeria!!!

"GuardianNewspaper"

"Tinapa, Customs and the Federal Government

SINCE attaining nationhood four decades ago, Nigerians have dreamt of the day when their country would join the league of industrialised economies in the world. At various times their governments at all levels have upheld this dream and have launched numerous development programmes and projects which have, sadly, faltered on the altar of planlessness and corruption, and a patent lack of commitment or political will. In consequence, the nation's landscape is littered with numerous abandoned projects; eternal beacons to the failure of our collective aspirations. One such project, which we hope and pray will not join this list of shame, is the multi-billion naira Tinapa Tourism and Business Resort in Calabar, Cross River State.

Tinapa was conceived by the forward-thinking and the visionary former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, as the first integrated business and leisure centre in Nigeria. The project exploits Calabar's strategic location as the link city between the West and Central African sub-regions, to give investors the opportunity to exploit the huge market potential of the two sub-regions. Modelled after similar resorts in Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok and Bombay, among others, Tinapa is expected to become an investors' haven that also provides opportunities for visitors from within and outside the country to combine commercial activities with leisure in a well-integrated and attractive environment. The goal is to make Calabar the ultimate hub of wholesale and retail commercial activity within ECOWAS.

In line with this objective, Tinapa is expected to provide international standard wholesale emporiums, integrated shopping complexes and product distribution outlets, along with business tourism and entertainment facilities. The project also incorporates a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for investment opportunities, which grants it a Free Trade Zone Status. This implies that investors in Tinapa would be granted some exemptions from taxes and customs duties, along with other benefits that are often associated with Free Trade Zones.

The fact that the Calabar Free Trade Zone is just next door to Tinapa points to a lack of co-ordination among the various federal and state government agencies in charge of the two projects. The lack of co-ordination and forward planning has been the bane of most projects in Nigeria and it is therefore not surprising that Tinapa appears to have become another victim of this typically Nigerian malaise.

No one appears to have given much thought to this potential problem when actual construction of the state-of-the-art-facilities covering over 80,000m2 of space began in January 2005. After an expenditure of over N45 billion, the first phase of the project was commissioned with fanfare in April 2007 by then President Olusegun Obasanjo. Unfortunately, not much has happened since then, except the millions that the sponsors continue to expend on advertisements in the international media to create global awareness for the project.

Essentially, the project has been caught in a bureaucratic web of intrigue and, some will argue, sabotage, with the unfortunate possibility that the investment might go down the drain, along with the dream of its sponsors. The problem appears to be between the Minister of Finance and the Comptroller General of Customs, which is rather strange considering the fact that the Ministry of Finance supervises the Nigerian Customs Service. In any case, it appears that the Minister and the Comptroller have disagreed over the issue of exclusive operational guidelines for Tinapa. The Minister presented the new guidelines to the Federal Executive Council for approval, only for the Comptroller to counter that if approved, the guidelines would run contrary to existing import policy that prohibits retail sales at the resort centre. The President is reported to have ordered the Minister and the Comptroller to harmonise their positions.

Meanwhile Nigeria continues to lose an estimated N219 billion to Dubai due to the federal government's inability to resolve the bureaucratic wrangling over procedures for Tinapa. Reports have also appeared in the media of a conspiracy by certain business and geopolitical interests in the country to kill the project. Investors invest their resources to make profit and are easily discouraged if their investments idle away while bureaucrats fight tuff battles over procedures. This situation should not be allowed to continue.

The country has wasted huge resources in the form of abandoned projects that litter the nation's landscape. Tinapa must not be added to this list. Although Tinapa is sponsored by the state government and private interests, it should be seen as part of the federal government's plan to transform the country into one of the 20 leading economies by 2020. Within that spirit, the bureaucratic in-fighting that has spelt the doom of similar laudable projects in the past should not be allowed to stifle the dream of Tinapa. Tinapa must be allowed to work."

Always keeping the faith...trying to look for some good news re this blocked project and stubmled through this... It seems the feud between Tinapa Ltd. and Nigeria Customs could be coming to an end soon:

Tinapa mgt, Customs resolve rift

TOM MOSES, Calabar

The hullabaloo over the commencement of commercial activities at the multi-billion Naira Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort, would soon be a thing of the past, as the TINAPA management and officers of Nigerian Customs yesterday resolved their misunderstanding.

The management of Tinapa, led by the managing director, Architect Bassey Ndem, and top senior Customs officials led by the Comptroller-General, Alhaji Hamman Ahmed Bello, said they have finally agreed to partner together for the smooth take-off of the multi-billion outfit.

The Customs Comptroller-General however said that the guidelines for operations at the Tinapa would be based on Customs laws and fiscal policies of the country.

"We have been accused of hindering the take-off of Tinapa and I say here that it is not true. Customs is only working in line with guidelines for setting up a free trade zone.

"We are going to enforce the fiscal policies of government as it relates to operations of Free Trade Zones and the fiscal policies are well spelt out.

"No prohibited goods would be allowed into the Free Trade Zone, even though normal concessions would be made.

"Nigerians who stayed abroad for a period not longer than nine months can be allowed into the Free Trade Zone with goods not more than N50,000.00," Bello said, insisting that Customs was never a hindrance to the take-off of the outfit but for the laws which needed to be protected.

Architect Bassey Ndem, on his part, lauded the Comptroller of Customs for his consummate understanding in terms of the concessions made for the zone to take-off and showing understanding for the reason the outfit was set up.

He explained that when commercial activities commence at the Tinapa, people would not be expected to purchase goods from there on commercial quantity but should purchase them as personal effects.

Ndem said the Tinapa management would quickly evolve modalities for partnership with the Customs for immediate take-off of the business at the Tinapa.



Tinapa: House adopts motion for immediate take-off

The House of Representatives in Abuja adopted a motion asking the federal government to provide the guidelines for the immediate take-off of the Tinapa Business and Tourism Resort.
The motion entitled: ``Urgent Need for the immediate Take-off of the Tinapa Business and Tourism Resort'' was sponsored by Rep. Beni Lar (PDP-Langtang North/South) and 28 co-sponsors.
The lawmaker said the motion, if implemented immediately, would help the government see the socio-economic importance of the Tinapa Business and Tourism Resort to the development of the country.
Moving the motion, Lar said she was worried that the Tinapa Project in Calabar, Cross River, had remained idle because of the failure on the part of the government to provide the regulatory and operational guidelines on the status of Tinapa as a Free Trade Zone.
Lar said that investors who moved into Tinapa Resort had literally closed shop or had relocated after committing huge sums of money into the project.
She said that Tinapa was built with 450 million dollars (N53.347 million) from 10 banks, the government of Cross River state and some Investors.
She said that if the resort had started operations, Nigerians who went to Dubai every day to spend about five billion dollars (N592.7 billion) on shopping would do that in Nigeria.
``That amount would help to boost our economy,'' Lar said.
She also stressed that it was on record that in one year alone, Nigerians spent 1.8 billion dollars (N213.4 billion) shopping in Dubai.
``Tinapa was supposed to provide jobs for 20,000 Nigerians in the first phase and 45,000 for the second phase, but it has not been able to employ any because of this delay,'' Lar said.
She also said the Tinapa Resort was established to reduce Nigeria's dependence on crude oil, ``but this has been defeated by the lukewarm attitude of the federal government towards the project .''
Lar noted that the United Arab Emirates (UAE), was already moving into Ghana and Senegal to set up complexes like Tinapa to stem the influx of the Nigerian businessmen into UAE.
She urged the Federal Ministries of Commerce and Industry, Justice and Finance to immediately provide the operational guidelines for the smooth running of the Resort.
Opposing the motion, Rep Habib Fashorun (AC-Lagos), said the federal government was not to be blamed for the delay.
He also explained that operation at the Resort was tax free while a tax regime operated outside.

Always keeping the faith...trying to look for some good news re this blocked project and stubmled through this... It seems the feud between Tinapa Ltd. and Nigeria Customs could be coming to an end soon:

Tinapa mgt, Customs resolve rift

TOM MOSES, Calabar

The hullabaloo over the commencement of commercial activities at the multi-billion Naira Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort, would soon be a thing of the past, as the TINAPA management and officers of Nigerian Customs yesterday resolved their misunderstanding.

The management of Tinapa, led by the managing director, Architect Bassey Ndem, and top senior Customs officials led by the Comptroller-General, Alhaji Hamman Ahmed Bello, said they have finally agreed to partner together for the smooth take-off of the multi-billion outfit.

The Customs Comptroller-General however said that the guidelines for operations at the Tinapa would be based on Customs laws and fiscal policies of the country.

"We have been accused of hindering the take-off of Tinapa and I say here that it is not true. Customs is only working in line with guidelines for setting up a free trade zone.

"We are going to enforce the fiscal policies of government as it relates to operations of Free Trade Zones and the fiscal policies are well spelt out.

"No prohibited goods would be allowed into the Free Trade Zone, even though normal concessions would be made.

"Nigerians who stayed abroad for a period not longer than nine months can be allowed into the Free Trade Zone with goods not more than N50,000.00," Bello said, insisting that Customs was never a hindrance to the take-off of the outfit but for the laws which needed to be protected.

Architect Bassey Ndem, on his part, lauded the Comptroller of Customs for his consummate understanding in terms of the concessions made for the zone to take-off and showing understanding for the reason the outfit was set up.

He explained that when commercial activities commence at the Tinapa, people would not be expected to purchase goods from there on commercial quantity but should purchase them as personal effects.

Ndem said the Tinapa management would quickly evolve modalities for partnership with the Customs for immediate take-off of the business at the Tinapa.



Tinapa: House adopts motion for immediate take-off

The House of Representatives in Abuja adopted a motion asking the federal government to provide the guidelines for the immediate take-off of the Tinapa Business and Tourism Resort.
The motion entitled: ``Urgent Need for the immediate Take-off of the Tinapa Business and Tourism Resort'' was sponsored by Rep. Beni Lar (PDP-Langtang North/South) and 28 co-sponsors.
The lawmaker said the motion, if implemented immediately, would help the government see the socio-economic importance of the Tinapa Business and Tourism Resort to the development of the country.
Moving the motion, Lar said she was worried that the Tinapa Project in Calabar, Cross River, had remained idle because of the failure on the part of the government to provide the regulatory and operational guidelines on the status of Tinapa as a Free Trade Zone.
Lar said that investors who moved into Tinapa Resort had literally closed shop or had relocated after committing huge sums of money into the project.
She said that Tinapa was built with 450 million dollars (N53.347 million) from 10 banks, the government of Cross River state and some Investors.
She said that if the resort had started operations, Nigerians who went to Dubai every day to spend about five billion dollars (N592.7 billion) on shopping would do that in Nigeria.
``That amount would help to boost our economy,'' Lar said.
She also stressed that it was on record that in one year alone, Nigerians spent 1.8 billion dollars (N213.4 billion) shopping in Dubai.
``Tinapa was supposed to provide jobs for 20,000 Nigerians in the first phase and 45,000 for the second phase, but it has not been able to employ any because of this delay,'' Lar said.
She also said the Tinapa Resort was established to reduce Nigeria's dependence on crude oil, ``but this has been defeated by the lukewarm attitude of the federal government towards the project .''
Lar noted that the United Arab Emirates (UAE), was already moving into Ghana and Senegal to set up complexes like Tinapa to stem the influx of the Nigerian businessmen into UAE.
She urged the Federal Ministries of Commerce and Industry, Justice and Finance to immediately provide the operational guidelines for the smooth running of the Resort.
Opposing the motion, Rep Habib Fashorun (AC-Lagos), said the federal government was not to be blamed for the delay.
He also explained that operation at the Resort was tax free while a tax regime operated outside.

Good!