Nigeria: Design Competition for the New Abuja City Gate
Ehrlich Architects teamed with Nigerian-firm Triad Associates recently won an international design competition for the New Abuja City Gate. This 98-acre site, that spans the main highway leading into Abuja, provides a dynamic entryway to Nigerians new capital city, serving multiple symbolic and practical functions.
The iconic design of the Gate’s tower and pedestrian bridge creates an international landmark that points the way toward a modern future, while embracing the country’s heritage. The program for the project includes: the City gate/monumental tower, commercial area, recreational area, reception block, public grand stand, parks, and a gymnasium. Construction for the project is set to begin in 2010.
The bridge’s pylon and structural cables can be seen as an immense loom, metaphorically weaving together Nigeria’s many different peoples into a single fabric. The cables suspending the bridge can display a changing array of flags, of the Nigerian states, African or world nations. Pedestrians animating the bridge in their brightly-coloured clothing are 'threads' on this Living Loom.
The form of the Gate also evokes the traditional Nigerian bow harp, with its gentle curves and strings. Local laterite clay formed into pavers make up the walking surface of the bridge. The concrete outer surfaces are painted to match the clay, their hue reminiscent of archaeological terra cotta Nok sculptures found in the earth around Abuja.
Botswana: Developing a water port at Techobanine
The governments of Mozambique and Botswana signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a deep water port at Techobanine point, in Mozambique's southernmost district of Matutuine.
Besides building a port that can receive bulk mineral ships, oil tankers and passenger vessels, the project also involves a new 1,100 kilometre railway linking Techobanine to Botswana, and passing through Zimbabwe. The preparatory phase, including the mobilisation of finance, should be completed by the end of 2011, and the first phase of construction will take place between 2012 and 2015.
The main cargo expected to use the new port is coal from Botswana. The country has an estimated 212 billion tons of coal reserves. Using Techobanine would free Botswana from dependence on the South African ports of Durban and Richard Bay which, apart from congestion problems, give priority to South African exports.
Namibia: Progress of the Ohorongo cement Plant
Construction of Ohorongo cement plant near Otavi is well on track and the project will start preliminary production in December. By January 2011 the plant will be up and running. The 2-year construction period has been met.
The official inauguration is planned for February 2011, when the president will commission the plant. About 700 000 tons of cement will be produced annually once the plant is running full throttle. Some 300 000 tons will be for local consumption, the remainder is destined for export to southern Angola, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and western Botswana. This could generate US$45 million in export revenue for Namibia.
The huge construction area of 100 hectares on the farm Sargberg, about 30 kilometres northwest of Otavi, is a hive of activity where only bush could be seen 18 months ago. Local companies set up basic infrastructure and administration buildings at the site for about N$500 million. All the raw materials for manufacturing cement - limestone, clay, shale and marl - are excavated on the farm. Reserves will last up to 300 years.
Senegal: Funding Dakar-Diamniado
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group approved on Monday, 19 July 2010 in Tunis, a US$16 million senior loan with a 15-year tenor, including a 5-year grace period, to finance the Dakar-Diamniado toll highway in Senegal.
The project comprises the construction of the 20.4-km section of the Dakar-Diamniado toll highway from Pikine to Diamniadio and the tolling and operation of the toll highway from Patte d'Oie to Diamniado (including the 4.2-km section between Patte d'Oie and Pikine, which was constructed under a separate contract). The motorway will be built as a dual carriageway with three lanes in each direction from Patte d'Oie to Thiaroye and two lanes in each direction from there to Diamniadio with six intermediate junctions.
The Bank is already playing an important role in infrastructure development in Senegal as evidenced by its effectiveness in providing long-term financing for private sector participation in projects such as the Kounoune Power project (2007), the Sendou Power (2009) and Dakar Port project (2009). The project is one of the first public-private partnership (PPP) projects in the road sub-sector. It is therefore aligned with the objectives of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) which promotes private sector participation in financing infrastructure projects.
Rwanda: Construction of Kiningi Serena Lodge
Construction of the luxury Kiningi Serena Lodge is scheduled to commence during the third quarter of this year, following complete renovation of Kigali Serena Hotel. This is a move that will further boost the country's tourism and service sectors respectively.
The new luxury facility estimated at a cost of US$8 million will be located in the Northern Province close to the Volcano National Park which is the natural habitat for mountain gorillas.
Government expects to generate $206 million from tourism this year, up from $174 million last year. Hotel's management also announced that the renovation of Kigali Serena Hotel is also set to enter its second and final phase later in July this year. This follows completion of the first phase which saw the addition of an ultra modern new wing comprising of a total of 44 guest rooms and a two-storey state of the art Maisha Spa facility with a contemporary swimming pool at a cost of $18.7 million.
The second phase of the program will involve alterations, extensions and refurbishment of various facilities including the old bedroom block, public areas, lifts, business center, meeting rooms, existing shops, offices and the reception area at a cost of $ 4.2 million.
India: GE-Bharat Agreement
General electric (GE) has signed a 10-year licensing agreement with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) of India. According to the agreement, signed through GE Oil & Gas’ Italian entity Nuovo Pignone, GE’s advanced range of high performance; high efficiency centrifugal compressors will be manufactured under license at BHEL’s production site in Hyderabad, India, for sale in India and in other South Asian territories.
John Flannery, president and CEO, GE India said: “This agreement builds on our strategy of bringing world-class technology to the Indian marketplace. It strengthens GE’s ‘company to country’ approach by creating growth opportunities and developing local skills and expertise. BHEL is an excellent partner for us, consistent with GE’s high standards in performance engineering and customer service.
GE’s compressor units are vital to infrastructure development projects, including oil and gas production and transportation, refinery and petrochemical industry applications and fuel gas boosting. The technical scope of the licensing agreement provides for the licensing of GE’s advanced range of centrifugal compressors, specifically several models of horizontally-and vertically split, pipeline and integrally gear compressors.
Israel: The Mamilla Hotel
The Mamilla Hotel is a new 194-room build with interiors designed by Piero Lissoni and architecture design by Moshe Safdie. Opened to critical acclaim in June 2009, the property will open two key areas of the hotel — the Mamilla Cafe and Akasha Wellbeing Retreat & Spa, both designed by Lissoni — this summer.
Located in a remarkable position in Jerusalem city centre with breath-taking views of the Old City walls, the Tower of David and Jaffa Gate, the Mamilla is a modern, world-class hotel that combines a distinctly international outlook with the unique cultural heritage of this most magnetic, frenetic, incredible city.
Safdie and Lissoni worked in collaboration to design multiple restaurants and bar venues offering a range of both local and international cuisine, a chic ‘Mirror’ bar, a terrazzostyle Rooftop brasserie with uninterrupted views of the Old City, a holistic well-being spa and gym, various events and banqueting spaces with an elegant, gracious and personalised service. Lissoni’s design plays with light throughout the hotel. Inspired by the strong Jerusalem sun, dark colors of the public areas are broken up by the outside light.
Association News
AAK Introduces Construction Awards
Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) will hold the Construction Industry Awards of Excellence 2010 to be held on July 30. The Quantity Surveyors Chapter of the AAK hopes to turn around the construction sector for the better through these recognitions. If this is observed, the construction industry should see an improvement coming from days when quack contractors have cost the country’s economy massive losses.
Last year, following reports of houses under construction collapsing and killing workers, AAK raised the red flag and pointed out that most of Nairobi’s houses were shaky and were an earthquake of magnitude five on the Richter scale strike; it would leave about 80 per cent of the buildings in the CBD destroyed.
At the same time, AAK said at least six out of ten residential buildings in Eastleigh and its environs were poorly constructed pointing to a dire situation where buyers could be left holding property of less value than they paid for.
EVENTS
International Training Courses 2010 (Contracts)
Date: July 29-31, 2010
Venue: Gaborone, Botswana
Contact:
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Email: gabsgoingson@gmail.com
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The Association of Consulting Engineers Botswana (ACEB) will offer all interested persons (in consulting engineering, construction, government and parastatal organisations) an opportunity to participate in Two 2 day training courses on the FIDIC Conditions of Contract. The courses will be presented by Mr. Axel-Volkmar Jaeger from Germany, one of the most senior accredited FIDIC presenters who have served on various working groups of the FIDIC Contracts Committee for nearly 20 years.
The two-day workshops are based on interactive sessions organized by Cornerstone Seminars in collaboration with FIDIC. FIDIC has, over the years, issued a number of standard documents for use on construction projects. The contracts which are currently in most common use around the world are: the Conditions of Contract for Construction; the Conditions of Contract for Plant and Design-Build; the Conditions of Contract for EPC/Turnkey Projects.
Maintenance Week 2010
Date: September 28-30, 2010
Venue: Johannesburg, South Africa
Contact :
Tel.:
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Website:This unique 3-day event will assist you to configure effective and attainable maintenance strategies to increase your productivity rate and maximise return on pre-existing and new asset investments.
You will learn from real life case studies on how you are able to reach international maintenance requirements and skill competency; identifying outcomes-based plant KPIs; master the latest predictive technology and condition monitoring techniques; understand budget requirements and become adept in effective maintenance scheduling and execution tactics to lower the total cost of asset ownership.
NEW PRODUCTS
SH Series Cranes
The demands made on hydraulic loading cranes are becoming evermore sweeping. But with the development of its new High Performance crane series PALFINGER has met these demands and further improved upon the quality customers have come to expect. The High Performance models, including the “EH package” (equipped with the electronic High Power Lifting System, Danfoss control valve, and remote control with feedback unit), have been on the market for a good two years now.
With the introduction of its new “SH” models, the trendsetter in the loading crane business now unveils its new High Performance master class. The new loading cranes represent a completely new crane concept – offering the perfect synergy of light-weight construction, power, maneuverability, service friendliness, and controllability.
The Salzburg-based company now clearly showcases its expertise in the area of electronics. “SH” stands for Super HPLS (Super High Power Lifting System). The new electronics introduces a new age in the electronic controls of loading cranes.
Website: www.palfinger.com
New Leica Geosystems Original Accessories Website
With a new website Leica Geosystems has modernized and updated supportive information related to its accessories basket for TPS and GNSS measurement systems. The new communication campaign outlines Leica Geosystems’ industry leading broad accessories basket including valuable information about all products.
For each major accessory category, comprehensive technical white papers are made available to strengthen and deepen the understanding of the crucial role that original accessories play as part of a Leica Geosystems measurement system. Website: http://accessories.leica-geosystems.com
