‘We shape our buildings; thereafter, they shape us.’
Where there are is infrastructure, economic growth and development will be difficult to achieve. Mega-projects play an important role in promoting the development of national infrastructure, economic development, social progress and environmental protection.
From the Dangote Oil Refinery to the Lagos-Calabar Railway Project, here are some mega Nigerian projects that are currently ongoing:
1. Dangote Refinery
Covering a land area of approximately 2,635 hectares which is about six times the size of Victoria Island, Lagos. Dangote Oil Refinery is a 650,000 barrels per day integrated refinery project under construction in the Lekki free zone. It is expected to be Africa’s biggest oil refinery and the world’s biggest single-train facility.
The Refinery is proposed to meet 100% of the Nigerian requirement of all refined products and also have a surplus of each of these products for export.
It is a multi-billion-dollar project that will create a market for $21 billion per annum of Nigerian crude.
2. Lagos-Calabar Railway Project
The Lagos-Calabar Railway is a 1,400-kilometre standard-gauge coastal railway from Lagos to Calabar connecting southwest to southern coastal cities. In August 2021, the federal government approved the ratification of the award of the contract worth US $11BN for the implementation of the project.
The rail route will consist of 22 railway stations with auxiliary amenities administrative spaces and level crossings. The first phase runs between Calabar and Port-Harcourt, while the second phase will run between Port-Harcourt and Lagos through Onitsha.
3. Centenary City
Conceived as a legacy project to mark the 100th-anniversary celebration of Nigeria, the master-planned city is located in the Federal Capital Territory. Envisioned to be a vibrant mixed-use city centred on the principles of sustainable urban development, it marks Abuja’s leap into the future as a high-value, knowledge-based community.
The city is built from scratch on a virgin land of 1,260 hectares. Work has commenced since 2018 and the primary infrastructure of the site has reached 60% completion.
4. Second Niger Bridge
A key national infrastructure with immense socio-economic benefits for the contiguous states and the entire nation. Upon completion, the bridge is said to ease traffic flow, improve road safety and create greater opportunities for residents by regenerating the economic life of the area and advancing its commercial viability.
Handled by the famous Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the construction which has been in the works for about 4 years is to be commissioned in December 2022–though the news has it that there is still a second phase that is yet to commence which is a 3.3-kilometre road approach on the Delta side and 7.7 kilometres on the Anambra side.
5. Eko Atlantic
One of the cutting-edge new cities at an advanced stage of development, the coastal city is located on Victoria Island, Lagos State. Being constructed on land reclaimed from the Atlantic Ocean, the development is also designed to help in stopping the erosion of Lagos city’s coastline.
It is said that it will satisfy the needs for financial commercial, residential and tourist attractions with infrastructure in line with modern and environmental standards.
6. Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project
A 3.05GW hydroelectric facility is under development in Taraba state. It is proposed to be Nigeria’s biggest power plant producing approximately 4.7 kWh of electricity a year and is said to commence operation in 2030. It is said that it will generate up to 50,000 local jobs during the construction phase, it is also expected to connect four dams across the Donga River.
The power generated will be sold to the Transmission Company of Nigeria which will transmit it to two locations where it will be integrated into the Nigerian electricity grid.
7. World Trade Centre
Located in the Federal Capital Territory, the centre is a complex of eight buildings under construction with seven skyscrapers planned for the site, each of them is at various stages of development while two were topped out already as of 2015. On a land size of over 6,000 hectares, the centre is planned to eventually occupy six towers, a mall and a hotel.
It is constructed entirely of concrete and steel with a façade of glass. Upon completion, it will be the tallest building in Nigeria. It is also proposed to create more business opportunities for foreign and local investors and set to increase tourism and entertainment.
#Updated brings you lists, roundups and the latest news on the hottest topics. This edition features some mega projects that are still under construction in Nigeria
