Wuse FCTIn a bid to open up investment opportunities and provide for more accommodation to the teeming population in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) last week formally commenced ₦137 billion infrastructural developments in the Kagini, Katampe and Maitama extension districts.

The Kagini district project will be developed on the basis of a different Private Public Partnership (PPP) arrangement while Katampe will come through the model of direct funding by the private sector. Katampe District is located in Phase II of the Federal Capital City covering an area of 777 hectares of land. Infrastructure works to be provided includes the construction of approximately 69.51 km network of roads, 131.18 km storm water drainage, 90.55 km water supply pipeline, 64.49 km sewerage network, electrical and telecommunication distribution network with associated ducts.

Specifically, the Kagini project, which is being contracted to Salini Nigeria Limited will cost ₦52, 609,879,284.47 and would have the government providing the extension of primary infrastructure in areas of water supply, electrical power supply, sewage disposal and main road to service all the districts. In fact, Kagini district will be developed through a public funding arrangement.

For the provision of infrastructure in the Maitama Extension District, the cost was put at ₦23, 650,000,000 and is being handled by the Mangrove Technical Construction and Engineering Nigeria Limited.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed disclosed that funding of the infrastructural provision in the area would be facilitated through a PPP arrangement, which will accelerate development of the districts and enable the government to meet the critical infrastructural needs of the people in the satellite towns.

“Private sector participation in infrastructure development will bring several benefits to the FCT. Some of these include early completion of the main infrastructure facilities, faster rate of social development and the creation of multiplier effects in the economy. It will also enable the FCT to fund good quality social infrastructure development for the Satellite town,” he said.

His words, “development of infrastructure in the Katampe district will cost the sum of ₦61, 194,747, 645.00 spanning three years. The project will be solely funded by the contractor M/s Deanshager Project Limited and the PPP contract duration for the recovery of project finance expended by the PPP model was put at five years from the date of financial close.”

Mohammed called on the developers of the Katampe district to ensure that success is recorded especially as the PPP concept is new so as to bequeath to the residents and future generation with a good legacy. The minster noted that this role would demand colossal funding from the government but is being discharged expeditiously.

He disclosed that the development of the districts would open up the Federal Capital Territory for more investment and employment opportunities as well as provide for more residential and office accommodation to the teeming population of the territory.

Source: The Guardian