NIGERIAN CENTENARY CITY

Anyim Pius Anyim, GCON Secretary of State, Nigeria, West Africa.

NIGERIAN CENTENARY CITY

One of the endearing legacies of the Nigeria Centenary celebration shall be the development of a Centenary City Abuja. The City is conceived to focus the attention of the investing world to Nigeria in a way that has never been done before. The successes of such cities as Dubai, Monaco, Shenzhen, Singapore and lately Songdo have shown that development of certain class of cities is the strongest social, political and economic tool to securing Foreign investment, promoting positive international attention and indeed signalling a new economic awakening. The City promises to be one of the most outstanding legacies of the Centenary.

The Centenary City is a new “Smart City’’ to be built from scratch on more than 1,000 hectares of virgin land in Abuja making it the second but largest “private city’’ development in history, after Songdo International Business District in South Korea. The land for the Centenary City shall be acquired in accordance with the FCT Land Swap Agreement.

The Centenary City is being designed by a reputable world class design team as a contemporary efficient “mixed-use’’ city with emphasis on modernity and Nigeria’s unique cultural heritage. The aim is to synchronise the demands of today’s society and the expectations of tomorrow and materialise the vision into working scheme that allow for the City to develop in a sustainable ecological and socially responsive manner. The City will demonstrate the harmony between nature and the work of man to create a solid example for the future of urban development in Nigeria and indeed the world and also reinforce our collective destiny towards the next one hundred years. The City, like Dubai, Monaco, Shenzhen and Songodo, shall signpost the Nigeria of the future. The City shall promote leisure, tourism, commerce, sports and will have a 20% resident component.

The City is also conceived as a centre for the preservation of Nigeria’s political history and documentation of her contributions to the political, cultural and economic development and the advancement of peace and security in the world, as well as the hub of economic activities.

The goal is to create a new City, a modern urban centrality for the sustainable development of this wonder land, where natural beauty and architecture icons must merge together to create an environment that is alive and productive.

The City will re-introduce Abuja to the world with the following features: A green city with a natural buffer enveloping the entire city, and encircling the central neighbourhood that protects and nurtures the whole world-class public facilities.

Zero waste management The city will aim at reducing waste to zero. Domestic waste will be used to create nutrient-rich soil, fertilizer and incinerated as an additional power source. Other wastes such as plastics and metals will be recycled or re-proposed for the other uses.

A central bank that provides the greenspirit which gives orientation, clarity and iconic power to the city as a whole but most powerfully to the city centre and the business communities inside its borders. Flexibletopographies that are conceptually related to one another so that they can be placed together to create a rich, elegant, textured and vibrant City.

An urban grid super-block system that is modular and organic yielding a resulting grid of arteries, streets and pathways with and efficient traffic system where pedestrians, bicycles, motorcars, trams and monorail can co-exist in a friendly human way.

Independent power source With a gas-fired 500MW power plant connected directly to a gas terminal, providing constant power supply to the City.

Wate management planned in an environmentally sound manner where approximately 60 percent of the water used will be recycled and waste water reused as many times as possible.

Public areas A prominent cultural core with various symbols of Nigeria’s Unity and Strength, Parks, Galleries etc.

The Centenary City is a new “Smart City’’ to be built from scratch on more than 1,000 hectares of virgin land in Abuja making it the second but largest “private city’’ development in history, after Songdo International Business District in South Korea.

Development Bank of Angola (BDA) is a public development financial institution created to finance projects of the private sector in different sectors of the Angola economy”

It’s purpose is to help accelerate the balanced and sustainable development of Angola, providing the creation of jobs, the modernization of economic and social structures and increase the competitiveness.

Commercial exquisite office tower, exotic hotel, magnificent shopping malls, imposing expo/convention centre, cosy theatres and cinemas.

Residential Elegant high-rise apartments, single family houses, semi detached houses, row houses, apartment blocks.

Civic institutions Primary & secondary schools, university campus, health Centres, Health farms and theme parks;

Institute of sports Sports shall be given prominence in the city with the top-of-the range sporting facilities, which shall include a signature golf course.

Sports hospital a modern sports hospital that will be on the cutting edge of sports medicine and providing 5-star level services. The sports hospital will offer state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and services.

Business center preferred destination for multi-national and domestic businesses. It is expected that the top most corporate bodies in Nigeria will have their show rooms in the city.

Presidential archives To house the history of our political development and the contributions of our Presidents and the Nigerian Institute of Federalism.

A new ceremonial arcade (Unity Square) to compliment the Eagle Square to add colour to the Government ceremonies and activities.

New Abuja city gate a magnificent and awe-inspiring architectural masterpiece that will eloquently introduce the Centenary City and welcome visitors to Abuja. In sum, the City will be a revolutionary approach to urbanization in Africa and champion’s private sector role in projects of significant magnitude. By the end of its planned 5-year development cycle, this innovative and vibrant City would have created 50,000 construction jobs and 5,000 permanent well-paying jobs. The City is planned for a residential population of about 100,000 people but to host about 500,000 visitors daily. It shall promote world-class multinational and domestic businesses in a world-class and master planned environment that gives meaning to Life, energy for Work and pleasure and greatness into the next centenary.

Success factors Features that have been contributed to the success of other cities of this nature include: • Trade Free Zone • Duty Free Regime •Tax Holiday •Chartered Status •Offshore Status •Outstanding Infrastructure and secured business environment •Expanded and efficient transport services especially Air Services •Secured Environment etc.

Above all, total Government commitment to provide a condusive investment environment in the City is imperative for the success of this important initiative.