British government encourages Lagos initiatives on urbanization programme

As part of efforts at responding to its growing complexity and sophistication as an emerging mega city, the Lagos State government is up and out with innovative initiatives on urbanization programme which involves creating new urban communities, towns and cities in what is now known as ‘new urbanism’.

The programme which has seen the development of iconic and ambitious projects like Gracefield Island project  is catching the attention and fancy of not only the locals, but also those of foreigners.

The British government, particularly,  does not only encourage  these initiatives which it has described as ambitious, but also sees hope of growth potential and opportunities for British companies some of which are already involved in on-going projects development.

Recently, Bashir Ahmed, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria,  led the country’s Director of Trade and Commerce on a visit to the upcoming Gracefield Island  reclamation and development project in Lekki,  Lagos.  “This is an ambitious project and I see a number of British companies  coming here not just to set up businesses but also to make a difference”, Bashir said.

Gracefield Island is a forward looking new city development initiated and being implemented by Gravitas Investments Limited. It is a luxury island development, so far, the first of its kind in Nigeria and can only be likened to Dubai’s Palmtree Island.

Olufemi Babalola, Gravias chief executive, while welcoming the British delegation, expressed satisfaction that Lagos State was particularly fortunate to have bold and progressive governors.  “This project presents a unique opportunity with  multiplier effects on the economy”, he said, citing examples of several technical partnership and development relationships that were driving progress on the new Island city even at its early stage of construction.

Bashir was particularly encouraged to find that British companies were already engaged in the Gracefield Island project. He, however, saw remarkable and significant scope for further involvement of British companies in other aspects of construction, utilities, and leisure services.

Babalola told the British diplomat that there was significant European and South African involvement in the project, disclosing that  the reclamation aspect of the project was being carried out to exacting standard by Van Oord, a foremost Dutch marine engineering company, while Aurecon, the biggest engineering consulting firm in South Africa, was project managing.

“One of the many exciting things happening on this project is the opportunity that it affords young and talented Nigerians to excel. These young Nigerians have platform to express their talent and task their knowledge. The project, by its nature, attracts talent from all around the globe and affords training opportunity to these Nigerians right across the world”, Babalola disclosed.

Continuing, he said, “IoT (Internet of Things) is a key feature of the Gracefield Island, and to ensure that this happens, Gravitas is already establishing support programme with three leading universities in Nigeria. The business park on the Island is planned to be an enterprise and wealth creation centre, where new ideas will be generated and existing ideas honed even better for remarkable creativity”.

The optimism of the British diplomats that even in the current economic climate in Nigeria there is tremendous opportunity for cross-border trade and cooperation between companies with high profile projects such Gracefield Island and British companies, is palpable. The interaction highlights the fact that with determination, creative thinking and useful cross-border alliance, good projects will survive the recession and, indeed, thrive.

At  the brief  meeting with the diplomats were representatives of Lagos State government, project transaction adviser, Osarieme Ezekiel of Oakwell Partners, Ibrahim Wushishi of leading property developer called Brains and Hammer, Ferdinand Agu and Tokunbo Adeyemo—both directors of Gravitas, Steve Sutcliffe of Denvers Building Services of UK and other stakeholders.

CHUKA UROKO