African Infrastructure Development News

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Post news about Infrastructure Development from all over the continent here.

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Roads Agency Paves 1,500 Kilometer Trunk Roads

Dar Es Salaam — About 1,500 kilometres of trunk roads have so far been paved by the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS).

This is according to the agency's performance assessment 2003/04-2007/08 report released last week in Dar es Salaam.

The agency has also rehabilitated a further 600 kilometres of trunk roads and 4,000km of regional roads. Maintenance allocations have increased from TShs1.3 million per kilometre to TShs4.3 million per kilometre per year. According to the report, the agency has substantially improved the condition of the main road network; from 30 percent in poor condition in 2003 to only 10 percent in 2008.

The agency also practically phased out force account works and helped to build up a local road contracting industry; from virtually zero local (private) road contractors to currently about 800 who manage the entire maintenance allocation.

It also successfully absorbed the massive increase of the fuel levy in the financial year 2007/08 and managed an increase of 100% of the budget.

The vision for the roads sector is embodied in Tanzania's Development Vision 2025 which accords high priority to investment in infrastructure.

In Sub-Saharan Africa road transport is the dominant mode of transport. that is essential for socioeconomic development.

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Improved Infrastructure Key to Economic, Social Progress

Addis Ababa - Addressing an African Union (AU) summit focused on enhancement of the continent's poor infrastructure, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said today that public works were the cornerstone to economic and social progress.

"Africa needs good roads, schools and hospitals; as well as reliable and efficient water services, electricity grids and telecom networks, while information and communications technologies must also be a bigger part of Africa's future," Mr. Ban told leaders of the 53-State organization, meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

"These remain the building blocks for job creation and the ability to compete in global markets," he added, in a speech that also ranged over a raft of peace and security issues on the continent, as well as climate change and the global economic crisis.

Mr. Ban stressed that infrastructure development is also an opportunity to 'go green' by tapping geothermal energy in the Great Rift Valley; solar energy in the Sahara, and other renewable sources that have great potential to create jobs and lay the groundwork for a low-carbon economy.

Given the large number of small and landlocked countries and shared resource belts in Africa, he maintained that regional approaches to providing infrastructure are also essential, pointing to the various river basin initiatives as a good first step in this regard.

"There is great benefit to be derived from the economies of scale that cross-border cooperation brings," he stressed, saying it should be complemented by public-private partnerships, the building of indigenous scientific and technological capacities and tangible investments in education.

He urged all stakeholders to mobilize the estimated $52 million needed each year to significantly upgrade Africa's infrastructure in those areas.

In his discussion of security and democracy, Mr. Ban touched on the situations in Sudan's Darfur region, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe and Cote d'Ivoire.

Commending Ghana for what he called its "smooth democratic transition of power, he noted that the AU had made it clear that it would not accept unconstitutional changes such as those that recently took place in Guinea and Mauritania.

"I welcome and encourage this strong, principled and consistent approach and commend the African Union for the adoption of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance," he said.

Expressing concern over disputed leadership in Madagascar, he urged the parties there to address their differences through existing constitutional mechanisms.

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Government to Allocate Sh235 Billion for District Roads

1 February 2009

Kampala - The Government plans to allocate sh253.4b for district road maintenance in the country in the next two financial years, works state minister John Byabagambi has said.

"We want to make sure that all roads in the districts are in good shape. A good road network is a catalyst for economic growth because other sectors depend on the adequacy and quality of the road network," Byabagambi said.

He was speaking at a workshop with local government leaders on the proposed policy changes for improving management of district roads at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala on Saturday.

Byabagambi said the workshop was aimed at discussing the proposed policy which would be presented to Parliament for approval by the end of March.

The policy changes include reviving the practice of routine maintenance by labour gangs, providing road equipment to all districts and to allocate sufficient operational funds.

Byabagambi said a full equipment unit comprising a motor grader, two tipper trucks, a wheel-oader, a water bowser, one smooth self-propelled roller, a pick-up truck, two motorcycles, and a pedestrian roller would be purchased for every district.

Other items to be funded include a bulldozer, excavator, mobile and regional workshops to be shared among districts.

The policy, Byabagambi said, also focuses on the re-establishment of road gangs in districts, whereby workers would be paid sh60,000 per month to maintain one mile per month within their areas of residence.

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$8 Billion Rail Contract - FG Orders Project Review

4 February 2009

Onyebuchi Ezigbo

Abuja — The Chinese firm handling the implementation of the $8.3billion railway modernisation project, China Construction Engineering Company (CCEC), said the Federal Government directed it to scale down the project in view of the present financial limitations.

The Nigerian Consultant to CCECC, Chief Chike Udenze, told THISDAY that the company and Federal Government were working closely to see to the actualisation of the railway project.

"Federal Government has asked us to prepare a proposal and advise it on how the rail modernisation can be scaled down without having to lose money", he said.

He said government urged the company to prepare detailed over-view of the project, highlighting achievable milestones based on the present state of paucity of funds.

According to him, government wants the company to prepare and submit a comprehensive work plan for the completion of the Lagos-Ibadan and Minna-Abuja-Kaduna railway line.

He said the company was also to give a detailed bill of quantity with all the relevant back-up information on the actual cost of the project as against the provision sum contained in the contract agreement.

As part of the efforts to refocus the project, government said the Chinese firm should compile a technical report supporting the work plan and a detailed master programme including the resources required to complete the project on time, he said.

When THISDAY visited the CCECC headquarters in Abuja, the Vice President of the company, Mr. Chen Xiaoxing, was said to have flown into the country to consult with the project team and to see how to meet with government's demands.

Udenze, however, said the details would take a reasonable length of time because it was a very rigorous process that involves every aspect of the entire project design from start to finish.

Regarding the competence or otherwise of the Chinese firm to deliver on the project, he said CCECC had proven capability in the area of railway construction. "We have been commended by government committees which evaluated the job done so far as being of good standard and we are determined to ensure the completion of the survey and design which is now at about 91% completion stage," he said.

"If we are not good and can deliver quality job the two federal government committees report world not have certified our work. What we agreed with government is that we will all sit down and try to scale down the project so that it can be executed in stages in such a way that Nigeria will not loose money", he said.

Udenze said the company had only received $250m out of the $1.3bn stipulated in the contract agreement as take-off amount for project.

According, to the consultant, the company is requesting government to try and utilise the $500m loan from the Chinese Exim-Bank to implement the project to a certain level and then make further request for additional fund from the bank.

Minister of Transport, Alhaji Ibrahim Bio, while receiving the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Xu Jianguo, in his office in Abuja, said the planned reactivation of the abandoned multi-billion dollar railway modernisation project may take a long time to materialise because of the current financial crunch.

He said federal government has asked the contractor, Chinese Construction and Engineering Company (CCEC) to consider reviewing the terms of the contract to accommodate the exigencies of the moment.

" We have met with company to plan how to scale-down the project to be able to execute it in view of the financial crunch. The way forward is that we have told the company our position and asked them to go back to their home government to work out a new programme, if it is acceptable to us then fine", he said.

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Govt Makes Case for Trans-National Projects Across Africa

Juliana Taiwo

4 February 2009

Abuja — Nigeria has called on African leaders to initiate projects that will traverse the sub-regional countries as a step towards achieving expansive development of infrastructure in the continent.

Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan who represented President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua made the call at the 12th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government at the ongoing African Union Summit in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia.

Citing the West Africa Gas Pipeline project that traverses Nigeria, Republic of Benin, Togo and Ghana, and the proposed Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline project from Nigeria to Algeria as examples, Jonathan charged African leaders to identify and initiate such wide-ranging projects, and also source credible funding for them.

He tasked the relevant arm of the AU to examine the infrastructural needs of the continent with a view to identifying and initiating mega projects across it while cautioning that resort to international bodies for funding should be based on projects that will boost the continent infrastructurally.

According to him, the theme for the Summit - "Infrastructure Development in Africa" was apt and timely, and urged African leaders to exercise political will in projecting clear-cut policies that will accelerate Africa 's infrastructural development. He also pledged Nigeria's continued contribution to energy production in the continent.

President Moammar Gad-affi of Libya had Monday emerged as the new Chairman of the AU through a motion unanimously adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government. In his acceptance speech, Gadaffi had said African leaders must unite against any attempt to re-colonise the continent under any guise.

Former AU Chairperson, President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, in his valedictory speech, had canvassed for a special conference of African leaders to appraise the current global financial crisis and adopt measures to cushion its effects on Africa.

He emphasized the need for regular meetings of African leaders, pointing out that the AU Summit alone is inadequate.

In his contribution, UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki Moon, said Africa required about $52 billion annually in public and private partnership to address her infrastructural needs.

The current global economic crunch will dominate discussions as the Summit draws to a close.

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Quite a good prospect!

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ERA Signes Road Projects Worth 1.8 Billion Birr

Fikremariam Tesfaye

5 March 2009

Addis Abeba — The Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA) on Tuesday signed agreements with three road construction projects worth over 1.8 billion Birr.

The Adura-Akobo and Adura-Burbe road project in Gambella regional state is intended to upgrade the approximately 125 gravel road to a Main Access Road.

The 823 million Birr project was awarded to SATCON Construction plc, a local private company which, under the agreement, will have to complete within 48 months period.

The project works, apart from a 7meter-wide carriageway, involve of construction of pipe culverts, inlet and out structures together with erosion protection.

The Director General at the signing ceremony detailed that, Adura-Akobo and Adura-Burbe road project is construction of gravel road to a standard of Main Access Road which is approximately 125 km and is located in the western part of Gambella Regional State in the Nuware zone. The project works involves of construction of pipe culverts, inlet and out structures together with erosion protection.

The second project-the Sanja-Keraker Road Project in the North Gondar zone of the Amhara regional state will cover the 48 km road with a DS 5 standard gravel .

The project work also involves construction of new road surfaced with sub-base gravel wearing course and DBST for some steep sections streching approximately 17 km including pipe culverts, inlet and outlet structures together with erosion protection in a 7 m wide carriageway.

The project has been awarded to Tibeb Construction plc with the cost of nearly 547 million Birr. The contract is expected to be completed within 36 months period under the finance of the government of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The third project in the Benishangul Gumuz Regional State in the North West part of Ethiopia involves upgrading the nearly 100 km Assosa-Kurmuk road.

The road is the last segment of Addis Ababa-Nekemt-Assossa- Kumruk road, a major trunk road which connects to the Sudanese border through Kumruk.

The project was awarded for the Chinese company named Sinohydro Corporation Ltd with a cost of over 502.8 million Birr.

It involves upgrading of the existing road surface to DBST standard including pipe culverts, inlet and out let structures. The road will have a 7m wide carriageway and 1.5 m shoulder each side.

The contract is expected to be completed within 36 months under the finance of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) and Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and the Ethiopian government.

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U.S.$308 Million to Meet Electrification Target of 16 Percent By 2012

Eugene Kwibuka

5 February 2009

Kigali — The Rwandan government is in high consultations with stakeholders as it struggles to meet its target of enabling 16 percent of the Rwandan population access electricity by the year 2012, the State Minister for Energy and Communication revealed yesterday.

According to Eng Albert Butare, an estimated US$ 308million (Approx Rwf 174bn) needs to be invested to achieve this target.

Butare said that many projects are underway countrywide, to generate electrical energy and circulate it in different areas but he cautioned that more labour, materials, and financial support were needed to achieve the envisaged goal.

"It is a great plan, we need a strong workforce," Butare said shortly after meeting government partners at Serena Hotel as he reflected on the country's target with regards to country's electrification.

In Rwanda's five-year plan to develop key sectors on which development hinges, the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS), the country pledges that 16 percent of the population will have access to electricity by 2012.

He said that some of these funds have been availed and used while government hopes to successfully out source the remaining portion though he could not reveal the amount.

"There are clear commitments [by partners]," he said, revealing that government will hold a round-table with its partners next month on electrification projects.

He said that the funds needed to implement electrification projects will be provided by government, donors, and citizens who will have to pay their contributions to be connected.

During the meeting in which international donor groups, Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs), UN Agencies, and the Rwandan Private Sector were invited, it was observed that electrification projects need to involve members of the Rwandan private sector to be successful.

This comes at a time the country has embarked on promoting Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to finance some development activities.

It was particularly observed that members of the Rwandan private sector can invest in manufacturing both poles and electrical wires and other materials that are needed during connection.

Government estimates that currently, six percent of the population in Rwanda has access to electricity.

It hopes the figure will have grown to at least 16 percent in 2012 with all administrative offices and health centres in the country connected while about 50 percent of schools will have a connection by then.

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Oilmoz Hopes to Have Refinery Operational By 2014

5 February 2009

Maputo — The Mozambican company Oilmoz hopes that it will have an oil refinery up and running in Maputo province by 2014.

The company presented its plans for the refinery at a meeting in Maputo on Monday. Oilmoz Chief Executive Officer Fausto Cruz puts the total cost of the refinery at eight billion US dollars. The refinery would produce 350,000 barrels of fuel a day.

The exact location of the refinery has not yet been chosen, but there are five possibilities. Despite this uncertainty, Oilmoz hopes that construction will begin in late 2009 or early 2010.

Cruz estimated that the construction will employ 15,000 workers, and that, when operational, the refinery will provide 2,000 full time jobs.

But where will the money for such a gigantic investment come from? Cruz told reporters that Oilmoz is negotiating a loan of three billion dollars, but declined to reveal which bank or banks the company is talking to.

The economic viability study for the refinery is in the hands of Shell Global Solutions. The construction will also include an off-shore terminal, to receive the tankers carrying the crude oil, water and waste treatment stations, new roads, and a variety of other social and economic infrastructures.

Asked who the Oilmoz shareholders are, Cruz refused to give a straight answer, replying simply "It's a company owned by individual Mozambicans".

But one of the partners of the project is the Joaquim Chissano Foundation, set up the country's former President. The company has turned to the foundation to assist in matters of "corporate social responsibility", said the Foundation's executive director, former foreign minister Leonardo Simao, who is also the Oilmoz chairperson. Chissano himself was among those attending the Thursday meeting.

The chairperson of the board of directors of the state fuel company Petromoc, Mateus Katupha, thought the planned refinery could be of great importance for the national and regional economy, since it would make refined fuels available at a lower price than imported fuels. Katupha argued this would provide an opportunity for Petromoc "to enter the regional market".

Mozambique currently consumes an estimate 17,000 barrels of fuel a day. Since Oilmoz expects to produce 350,000 barrels a day, the bulk of this production will be exported to other countries in the SADC (Southern African Development Community) region.

Should oil be discovered in Mozambique, as a result of the current exploration, notably in the Rovuma basin in the far north of the country, Cruz said that Oilmoz would clearly prefer to use Mozambican crude than import its raw material from elsewhere.

A second refinery, in which the main shareholder is the American company Ayr Logistics, is planned for Nacala in the north of the country. Cruz said Oilmoz was not worried by competition from this refinery. He was sure the market would prove large enough for both of them.

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Govt Awards N7Billion Road Contracts

Mansur Sani Malam

6 February 2009

Kano — Kano State government has awarded contracts worth over N7billion for the construction of five major roads in the metropolis to two contracting firms.

Speaking during the signing of contract agreements, the Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Alhaji Yakubu Ali Bashir, explained that the contracts were awarded in accordance with the state government's policy on city renewal programme.

Bashir, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Muhammad Salis El-Hassan, said the contracts were also awarded after following due process and meeting all necessary requirements by the contracting firms.

He further stated that Borini Prono construction firm has been awarded the contracts for the reconstruction of Kano Club Road, at the cost of N1, 133 billion, Mandawari Road to Aminu Kano Way at N396 million and Darmanawa (Yantsaki-Yankatako) Road at the sum of N2 billion.

On the other hand, Triacta Nigeria Limited would reconstruct Zoo Road at the cost of N1 billion, while that of BUK Road is expected to gulp N2 billion.

The commissioner then urged the contracting firms to complete their projects within the agreed 20 months period and charged them to commence work on the projects in earnest, emphasising on qualitative work that would last long.

Bashir then solicited the cooperation of the people of the areas affected by the projects while construction is in progress.

Responding , the project managers of the two companies promised to do a good job and complete the projects within the stipulated time, and expressed desire to control congestion on the affected roads.

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"Aldeia Nova" Starts Sugar Cane Production

Luanda — The agricultural project "Aldeia Nova" Thursday in the locality of Lonhé, central Kwanza Sul province, launched a sugar cane plantation plan over an extension of 44,000 hectares.

The launch of the plan took place during a ceremony witnessed by the provincial governor, Serafim do Prado.

The project, called "Procana", started with the plantation of sugar cane over an area of 25,000 hectares, expected to produce about 120 tons per hectare. Varieties of sugar cane from India and Uganda are being used.

Speaking to Angop, the project director, José Serqueira, said Procana, whose production will be secured by the Brazilian firm, "Co-geração", has created 10,000 jobs.

Procana's research started late in 2006, upon selection of an area of 106 hectares in the district of Cela, where a nursery was built. The project was designed by a British firm.

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Electrogaz to Commission New Thermal Plant

Kagire Edmund

6 February 2009

Kigali — The national water and power utility, Electrogaz, will at the end of the month commission a Thermal Plant worth Euro 19.2m that is expected to add another 20 Megawatts to the country's electricity grid.

According to John Mirenge, the Managing Director of Electrogaz, the plant located at Jabana is a state-of-the-art thermal generator, which uses cheaper, heavy fuel oil instead of Diesel.

Mirenge said that the new thermal generator is environmentally friendly despite using heavy fuels known to emit a lot of smoke.

The plant comprises of a furnace tube in which combustion of the fuel takes place to generate fumes which are re-combusted, reducing the proportion of nitrogen oxides present in said fumes, minimising the effect.

He added that the new plant will be an addition to the many micro-hydro electricity projects currently being set up by the Government including those at Rukarara and Rusizi expected to be ready by June next year, as part of the 4-year countrywide electrification access programme.

Mirenge assured the country that electricity tariffs will go down when all these projects are completed and when the company switches from using diesel to heavy fuel oils.

The Electrogaz chief also said that the US $40m government funded water supply expansion project at Nyabarongo is well underway and is expected to produce 800.000 Cubic Metres of water daily.

The project is aimed at increasing water supply in Kigali City to its population which now has an estimated one million residents.

Mirenge said that the old system was meant to supply water to about 200.000 people and could not fully satisfy the water needs of the fast growing population of the city, prompting the government to sink money in the expansion project.

He reiterated that currently 40.000 Cubic Metres are produced following the completion of water reservoirs at Nyarutarama, promising residents of Kigali that there will not be more water shortages and crises in Kigali into the near future.

Meanwhile the Electrogaz MD denied that there is a water crisis in Gisenyi Town in the Western Province for the last two weeks as media reports had earlier indicated.

He however admitted that on Wednesday last week, road works by STRABAG in Gisenyi interfered with the water system which indeed affected the water supply in the town and the surroundings, "but it was fixed the following day, not for 2 weeks as it had been reported."

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Zambezi Bridge Structurally Complete By June

6 February 2009

Maputo — The contractor responsible for building the new bridge over the Zambezi river in central Mozambique, the Portuguese engineering company Mota Engil, on Thursday guaranteed that that the bridge will be structurally complete by June.

"The construction of the bridge is absolutely under control", declared Jorge Coelho, chairperson of the Mota-Engil Executive Commission. Mota-Engil and a second Portuguese company, Soares da Costa, form the consortium that won the tender to build the bridge.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Prime Minister Luisa Diogo, Coelho said the bridge will be delivered within the deadlines initially agreed with the government, between May and June this year.

Since work on the bridge began, about three years ago, it has been interrupted twice, by the major Zambezi floods of 2007 and 2008. Coelho said the time lost "has all been recovered", and any flooding later in the 2009 rainy season will not affect the work.

The bridge, between Caia in Sofala province and Chimuara in Zambezia, is a key link in Mozambique's main north-south highway. It is 2.5 kilometres long and 16 metres wide. It possesses two lanes for traffic and a walkway for pedestrians. It is budgeted at 78 million euros (about 105 million US dollars). The European Union is providing 25 million euros, Italy 20 million, and Sweden 18 million. The Mozambican government is participating with 13 million euros.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday evening, Coelho was more precise, venturing 31 May as the date for the completion of the bridge. In addition to the Prime Minister, Coelho said he had also been received by President Armando Guebuza, and Public Works Minister Felicio Zacarias. But his first port of call in Mozambique had been the bridge site itself to receive a full technical briefing on the progress of construction.

Coelho said that Mota Engil has also won the tender to rebuild a 50 kilometre stretch of the north-south highway in Inhambane province that is currently in very poor condition. He said the company would be interested in building a bridge across Maputo bay, linking the locality of Catembe to the heart of the city.

This is a longstanding government dream for which, to date, the funds have not been available. Currently people who live in Catembe, but work or study in Maputo, are dependent on a ferry service.

Coelho said Mota Engil is also interested in mining projects in southern Africa, but he could reveal no details due to professional secrecy. He said negotiations are furthest advanced in Malawi, but the company is also looking at possibilities in Mozambique and Angola. He declined to say what minerals are involved.

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Over 3,000 Kilometres of Roads Paved in Six Years

3 February 2009

Luanda — About 3,325 kilometres of roads were paved over the last six years of peace in Angola, by the Angolan government, on Tuesday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, said the Speaker of the National Assembly, Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos.

The Angolan official presented this figure at the 12th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU), taking place under the theme "Development of infrastructures in Africa, with highlight to transports, energy and investments".

The Angolan Parliament Speaker also revealed that another 10,400 kilometres are under construction, adding that on the same period built 34 definitive bridges, with 516 others being currently under construction as well.

He informed that the roads for regional links are in an advanced state of execution, as well as the construction studies for the link between Soyo District (north of Angola) and Mwanda (Democratic Republic of Congo, through a 25-kilometre railway bridge.

This bridge will comprise a 1,6 kilometre central point over Kongo river, with a bifurcation from Mwanda to Cabinda and Mwanda to Boma (DRC).

The Speaker of the National Assembly also announced that are also under repair some ports, with highlight to the Lobito one, that is being modernised and extended with the creation of new terminals for containers, minerals and support for oil activity, in order to meet the demands from neighbouring countries that will use that corridor.

Other ports will be constructed in the northern Cabinda and Luanda provinces, the official said, without giving further details on the future works.

On railways company, he said that a plan named "Ango-Ferro" is in progress, comprising the rehabilitation and modernisation of the existing lines, their inter-connection in a network system, building of new lines and connection with neighbouring countries in six points.

"Thus, we will have the conclusion of the Luanda railways, in an extension of about 500 kilometres", he said, adding that the Moçamedes Raiway, that comprises 900 kilometres, will be finished in 2010.

Other works are related to the elaboration of studies and projects for the construction of the line that will link the country's railway system to Namibia, as well as the 1,500 kilometres to the DRC and Zambia, through Benguela Railway company that is to end in 2011.

Projects and studies are also being carried out for the construction of a line to reach Zambia, whereas another line has been conceived to link Luanda to Cabinda, as part of trans-African connections.

Commenting on airports, the Speaker of the National Assembly said it is in progress the rehabilitation of 24 airports, with highlight to the building of the Luanda International Airport.

He considered that these works by the Angolan government, in recovering and building new infrastructures of transports and energy, satisfy not only the national needs, but also the regional and continental ones.

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Japan to support rice production in Mozambique

Maputo, Mozambique, 3 Feb – Mozambique is in the list of 12 African countries that will benefit from a credit of US$4.2 billion for rice production and other development projects, Rádio Moçambique reported in Maputo.

The radio station noted that the funding had been announced by the representative of the Japanese National Rice Development Strategy, Hiroshi Chioroaka speaking Wednesday in Abuja, during a meeting on rice production held jointly with the African Alliance for the Green Revolution and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency.

Chioroaka said that the government of his country had also announced, via its Finance Ministry, loans of US$150 million to fund technical cooperation projects and of US$100 million to support the World Bank Project for Rice Development in Africa.

According to Chioroaka, as well as Mozambique, the list of countries includes Cameroon, Ghana, Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Uganda.

This support may contribute to efforts made by the Mozambican government to mass produce rice with a view to eliminating imports of the crop by 2011.

Lat June, the government approved the National Plan for Food Production, 2008/2011, with the aim of reducing the deficit of the main food products such as rice and wheat, boosting and promoting production on a wide-scale of maize and cassava, crops of which the country currently has a surplus.

Mozambique currently has a deficit of 316,000 tonnes of rice. Annual requirements of this cereal total 539,000 tonnes, but the country produces just 223,000 tonnes.

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Nigerian Firm, Dubai to Build New Port in Lagos

11 February 2009

Lagos — A Nigerian firm, Sifax Group of Companies, is discussing with Dubai Ports Authority, on the establishment of a modern port complex in Lagos.

Managing Director of Sifax Group, Dr Taiwo Afolabi, told newsmen in Lagos that the Dubai authority had shown great enthusiasm in the proposed venture. Afolabi said the port would on completion, be the first direct response of an indigenous company to the Federal Government's call for development of green fields, to decongest existing ports.

Afolabi expressed regrets that lack of space, slow cargo delivery and government's inability to establish new ports were major causes of the present congestion at the ports.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Ports and Terminal Multi-Services Ltd, a subsidiary of the Italian shipping giant - Grimaldi, built the new Roll On/Roll Off (RORO) Port inaugurated in 2006, by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Afolabi said a subsidiary of Sifax - Port and Cargo Handling Services Ltd, operators of Terminal 'C' at the Tin-Can Island Port, had added value to the nation's economy by investing about N15 billion, since it took over the terminal in 2006.The terminal operator pointed out that in addition to the huge investments, the subsidiary employed about 3,000 Nigerians.

He said the company had four gantry cranes and 22 cargo handling equipment procured at the sum of $50 million, adding that to ease the pains of congestion, especially for its numerous clients, the company had procured 35 new trucks for transferring containers to bonded terminals, and that additional 100 trucks would soon be bought.

He, however, observed that with the take over of port operations by the port concessionaires, there had been efficient service delivery at the ports.

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FCT to Spend N9 Billion on Power in Satellite Towns

12 February 2009

Abuja - The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will spend N9billion on the improvement of power supply in the Satellite Towns in 2009 alone.

This fact was disclosed Tuesday by the Minister of State, FCT, Chief Chuka Odom at Abaji during the kick off of his trip to the Area Councils in the Territory.

This, he said, was in addition to other plans by the Federal Government to ensure that Nigerians enjoyed uninterrupted Power Supply.

Also, the Minister said that arrangements have been concluded for more funding for the purchase of transformers in areas of need towards the enhancement of Power Supply.

Similarly, while speaking at a reception in his honour, Odom commended the Abaji Council for proper prioritization of projects and adequate utilization of fund and noted the asphalt roads and damages constructed by the Council.

On the proposed Abuja university of Technology , the Minister promised to take up the matter with the Minister of Education to ensure that it takes off as soon as possible.

Odom expressed his delight at the effort by the Council to look inwards especially in the area of making available solar Power to the people even as he pledged to access money from ecological fund to assist in erosion control in Abaji.

Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the Abaji Area Council, Hon. Yahaya Musa Mohammad appealed to the Minister for assistance in the implementation of the Abuja Master Plan which designated Abaji as the industrial area of the territory.

According to him, the "FCT administration should extend her developmental programmes to Abaji Area Council so that investors could come and make use of our viable potentials."

The Chairman also used the opportunity of the Minister's visit to appeal for more "funds to the local government so that projects that will touch the lives of the people can be carried out".

In his remarks while welcoming the Minister to his Palace, the Ona of Abaji, Alhaji Adamu Baba Yunusa requested for the dualization of the Zuba - Lokoja road as well as providing more vehicles for the police to assist them in the task of combating the menace of criminals in the area.

The royal father also called the attention of the Minister to the need by the communities in the area for potable water which he said could be enhanced by sinking more boreholes.

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[Kwame]

Hilton Hotel to Open in December

Francis Kagolo

10 February 2009

Kampala — THE 235-room five-star Kampala Hilton Hotel is to open in December, the AYA Group's human resource manager, Arthur Hanyurwa, has said.

Hanyurwa told reporters recently that the building, which is to have 21 floors, had reached the 11th floor.

"We are remaining mainly with putting up suites at the top. This is easier compared to what has been done. We are working 24 hours," he said.

The hotel will also have 37 presidential, diplomat and project suites and 10 separate apartments. A shopping mall, business centre and restaurants will also be put up.

Hanyurwa said close to $80m (about sh154b) had been spent since construction began. The entire project, which is being erected by Abu Contractors, is estimated to cost $500m (about sh985b).

"Our target is to finish at least a floor per month. At the same time, we are making sure we do not achieve this target at the expense of durability," an official added.

Once completed, he added, the hotel is expected to create 1,000 jobs for Ugandans.

Hanyurwa said: "We do not believe in employing many foreigners. We shall train local workers and employ them."

About the five former workers who perished in an accident when a lift at the construction site collapsed last December, Hanyurwa said preparations to compensate the bereaved families were on.

He said negative media reports were the biggest challenge they had faced since the project kicked off.

"We are happy the Government has supported our investment."

He, and other officials, declined to comment on the conflict with their former lawyer, Muzamiru Kibedi of Kibedi & Co. Advocates over payment of $2.5m (about sh5b) in legal fees.

Last year, they clashed with the lawyer over fees. Kibedi allegedly claimed he was not paid for services he rendered to the investors in securing a $41.5m loan from the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa in 2006, a claim Aya denied.

"We shall comment on that when the right time comes. This is not the appropriate forum," said Hanyurwa.

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[Kwame]

Nigeria: FG Assures On River Niger Dredging

Chris Ochayi

18 February 2009

Abuja - The Federal Government yesterday declared that it was committed to ensure the completion of the dredging of the 574-kilometre Lower River Niger from Warri to Baro and the execution of the Kano-Lagos rail project this year.Minister of Transport, Alhaji Ibrahim Bio, who stated these yesterday while inaugurating the newly-appointment chairmen and members of the board of parastatals under the ministry in Abuja, said these were two key projects that President Umaru Yar'Adua would like to see its completion in 2009 as a non-negotiable priority.

Bio added that there was urgent need also to complete the central rail system from Ajaokuta to Warri and on the medium term, to rehabilitate the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line in addition to the procurement of new locomotives to awaken the rail system once again in this country.

He said: "As you all know, the transport sector is vital to the socio-economic, political and strategic development of any country. It represents the veins, arteries, channels and tracks through which the economic life-blood of any nation runs."

The transport sector, according to him, requires to be strategically repositioned in order to play its role as a catalyst to our economic growth and development".

"There is no doubt also that any meaningful strategy that can battle and win the war against poverty and unemployment by the Federal Government, or any government where-ever in the universe, has to recognize that fixing the transport sector remains sine-qua-non to any quest for meaningful economic growth and development such as it is envisioned in our country's vision 2020".

Identifying factors militating against achieving sustainable transport sector development since he assumed office, Alhaji Bio said absence of, or lack of focus in the enforcement of laws/rules in policy implementation, e.g, ineffective planning in the management of trade/commerce in Ports and Waterways sub-sectors.

He also identified other hiccups to include non-performance of budgetary provisions by a number of the agencies, which has led to the truncation of the execution of vital projects meant to make life easier for the ordinary Nigerian.

Noting the inauguration event marked another step in the march towards the sustainable development of the nation's transport sector, the minister called on the board members to join hands with the ministry to realise the dream of transforming the transport sector.

Chairman of the Board of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Chief Tony Anenih who spoke on behalf of other Chairmen and members of the boards under the ministry, said they are going to justify the confidence reposed on them by the Federal government.

The former Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also promised that the teams would perform their functions without fear or favour.

Other boards chairmen inaugurated include, Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), A.T Turner, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Senator Baba Tella, NIMASA, Mrs. Mariam Ali, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Lulu-Briggs, Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) and Captain S.P Poopola, Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT).

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