Nigeria: Progress of the Abuja Road Expansion
The Lot 1 of the Abuja airport road expansion project is already 20 percent complete, while lot 2 is at 12 percent. This is according to the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCADA) officials.
Another part of the project is provision of pedestrian bridges for people to use in crossing the roads and barriers put in place on the roads to ensure that pedestrians make use of the pedestrian bridges. Some provisions are be made for four service roads of about 4 kilometres by May 2010 in order to take care of traffic while construction work continues.
Tanzania : Competition in Cement production
The cement producers in the East African region have made plans to expand. This has triggered a stiff competition as cement makers increase their production lines, a move that will ensure sufficient supply at reduced prices.
At least five cement manufacturers across the region - Kenya's Athi River Mining, Tororo Cement and Hima in Uganda as well as Tanzania's Tanga and Tanzania Portland Cement (producers of Twiga cement) - have already made their intentions of multi-billion shilling expansions known. While some of the projects are near completion, others are in the process of being commissioned.
Hima Cement, owned by a French company Lafarge, is about to complete a new production line in Kasese. According to the plant manager, Allen Matte, the plant is expected to increase its production capacity from 350,000 to 830,000 metric tons. Unlike, the old factory that has proved difficult to control dust emissions, the new one has inbuilt control measures. On the other hand, Tororo , also in Uganda, announced that it will invest US$50 million to double its capacity from one to 2.2 million metric tons. Also at risk are existing investments of US$430 million and new investments of over UD$190 million which are intended to increase the capacity to be self sufficient in cement production.
South Africa : Refurbishing Cape Roads
Cape Town requires US$550 million to refurbish roads and maintain them in a good condition according to the director of the roads department If the work is not carried out now, the repair costs on compounded damage could become six times more expensive per kilometre within five years and 18 times greater within eight years. A funding of R500 million has been availed so far.
The city authorities are responsible for the management and maintenance of a total road infrastructure of 9 835km, with an estimated replacement value of US$30 million. A breakdown shows that more than US$5 billion is required for road maintenance in several sub-councils.
Kenya: Overhaul of Railway System to Cost US$8.5 Billion
The infrastructure of Kenya’s rail system will undergo two major overhauls. The first is the laying of a new standard gauge line to run from Mombasa to Kampala and on to Kigali, Rwanda. Kenya and Uganda have already agreed on this. Kenya Railways says the building of the line requires US$8.5 billion. Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda are expected to share the cost.
The corporation has already advertised for consultants for the project. The standard gauge railway has the ability to handle more weight and speed. When completed, Nairobi's new railway system will have a capacity to carry at least 90,000 passengers daily, compared to the current 19,000. Kenya Railways says parking lots will be built near major stops on the line to enable motorists to leave their cars in a safe place and continue their journey by train.
Uganda: US$35 Million Roads in Pallisa Commissioned
A total of 45km of community roads in Pallisa district have been commissioned. The roads in Agule and Petete sub-county were constructed under the community agriculture infrastructure improvement programme. A total of 19km of roads in Agule sub-county were constructed by Malt Uganda.
Another 25km of roads in Petete sub-county were constructed by Khabusi Furniture and Construction Company. Under the project, 60km roads and a modern market were constructed in Agule, Petete and Kagumu sub-counties. A total of 15km of roads in each of the the sub-counties will be constructed during the initial phase. The Pallisa-Agule and Pallisa-Gogonyo roads will be repaired under the periodic maintenance this financial year.
Brazil: Tendering the Belo Monte dam
The tender deadline for the concession contract regarding construction and operation of Brazil's Belo Monte dam has been confirmed for April this year by the Brazilian Mines and Energy Ministry.
The 30 year concession carries the proviso that the dam must supply electricity in 2015 according to a Ministry spokesperson. Construction of the 1.1 GW hydro-electric dam is expected to cost US$11 billion, a figure that includes various environmental measures to limit the dam's impact on the Xingu River area in the Amazon rainforest.
As part of the dam bidding conditions, the Ministry is expected to set a US$ 46.2 per MWh ceiling price, up from US$37 per MWh in recognition of the additional environmental costs.
Germany: The Logistics Centre
A modern storehouse will be raised in the new business park which has a perfect transport connection in all directions. The Logistics Centre is divided into three main elements to accommodate its various functions. The glass-fronted foyer and the car park above face towards the public street. The car park extends over four levels. A four-storey service building is loca¬ted south of the logistics yard on the opposite side.
The office building at the eas¬tern corner completes the group along the Chausseestraße. A fourth element be¬neath the logistics yard connects all sections of the buildings below ground level. The technical and logistics centre houses various functional areas and incorporates goods and transport handling. It also provides access from the north directly to the central axis of the main building. Many of the employees on site will use this access which is convenient to the nearby underground station. Above this entran¬ceway, a car park for employee parking and the BND fleet with some 600 spaces is provided. The complex also includes a power plant and office space for a range of functions.
These three elements are brought together at ground floor level by a continuous base of fair-faced concrete, with natural stone used in the corner building area. Metal facades dominate the upper storeys of the buildings and lend a functional aspect to the logistics centre part of the project. This contrasts with the corner office building, which forms a closed perimeter along the Chausseestraße and has a structured plaster facade. The ensemble must mould the mixed use complex, the relevant security require¬ments and urban development considerations into a single concept. The new BND technical and logistics centre was designed to reflect its technical function and role in its form, offer attractive access to the complex, and create a communicative, functioning and friendly working environment for its own employees.
Association news
South Africa council of Quantity Surveyors
South Africa council of Quantity Surveyors (SACQSP) is calling for papers for the conference to be held in October 14-15, 2010 at East London. Topics on discussion are: Procurement, Process, Problems, People, Property, Position, Professionalism and Price The invitation to this conference is extended beyond the quantity surveying profession and departments of the academic institutions and therefore refers to the Built Environment as a whole.
The entire Built Environment faces enormous challenges daily and from all possible fronts. The 8P Summit will be used as the platform for all built environment professionals to present solutions to these challenges. The submission is closing on May 14 2010. The contact address is sjani@telkomsa.net.
EVENTS
IEK INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
Theme: Public-Private Partnership for Development of Sustainable Infrastructure
Venue: Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort and SPA, Kikambala, Mombasa
Date: April 21 – 23, 2010
Contacts:
Tel No: +254 20 2716922, 2729326, 2059350
Cell Phone: +254 721 729363
Fax: +254 20 2716922
Email: iek@iekenya.org; iekconference@gmail.com
Website: www.iekenya.org
The Conference will provide opportunity for agencies involved in PPPs to discuss issues in infrastructure development. Through dissemination and understanding of good global PPP practices, it is anticipated that stronger practices and better quality PPP projects will emerge in the country.
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The proposed papers for discussion are:
- Challenges of provision of infrastructure & the role of Public Private Partnership
- PPP models for Infrastructure
- Government Involvement and Support for PPP
- Enabling Policy, Legislative and Regulatory Framework
- Capacity building in PPP
- Finance and Procurement
- Managing Risks and Opportunities
- Contract compliance & Performance monitoring
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Dispute resolution
- Roads, Highways & Transport
- Water Supply, Sanitation and Solid Waste Management
- ICT & Telecommunications
- Ports, Railways and Housing
- Power, Energy, ICT and Telecommunication
- Airports
- Health, HIV and AIDS.
Case study sessions on PPPs on
NEW PRODUCTS
The Titan Boom 46-ft (14 m)
The Titan Boom 40-S combines the capacity of a telehandler, deck of a scissor lift and reach and rotation of a boom, the company says. The unit features a 4,000-pound capacity, 22-foot, 90-inch deck and working height of 46 feet. The Titan can hold up to four workers plus tools and is designed to have sliding guardrails that allow for loads to be placed in loading zones on the platform deck.
Once the guardrails are closed, the boom can then be raised. The unit features three steering modes - two wheel, four wheel and crab steer, and has an automatic platform leveling system, smooth proportional controls and its platform can rotate 180 degrees. It has a 3,000-pound material load with up to four workers and tools to make for a total combined load of 4,000 pounds. Powered by Kubota turbo diesel engine, the Titan Boom 40-S has 12 lanyard attachments and on-board diagnostics. Website: www.mecAWP.com
