…Anambra State Government to perform groundbreaking ceremony of Awka Millennium City project
… Project is public-private partnership with M-P Infrastructure Ltd.
By Ndu Chris Nwannah, Guest Writer, Awka Times Magazine
All is now set for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Awka Millennium City, AMC, project.
This is a housing development project initiated by the Anambra State government through the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Ministry of Lands, Physical Planning and Rural Development and the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA).
The Awka Millennium City project is a private-public partnership (PPP) between the Anambra State Government and M-P Infrastructure Ltd., a multi sectoral investor in telecommunications, power, agriculture and infrastructure projects across Africa.
M-P Infrastructure Ltd., which is directly handling the development project, is committing ₦10.4 billion or nearly 75% of the total ₦13.9 billion earmarked for the project.
The groundbreaking ceremony will be performed by Governor Willie Obiano who will also inaugurate the construction of facilities on the job.
The event commences by 10am on Thursday, December 19, 2019 at the project site located off Old Enugu-Onitsha road, Agu-Awka by Adorable British School.
The Awka Millennium City project will stand on 100 hectares of land, and is to be rolled out in phases.
The first phase is expected to be completed 30 months from the date of mobilization to site and comprises roads, drains, utilities, perimeter fencing among others.
The PPP agreement offers the investor, M-P Infrastructure, 25 hectares (25% of the land) initially to develop into real estate, while 75% of the area would be built into sites and services.
During the signing of Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, at Governor’s Lodge Awka on June 18, 2019, the Managing Director of ANSIPPA, Mr Jide Ikeako, said the project had numerous benefits for the state as it would ensure adequate housing units and improve sustainable accommodation in Awka Capital Territory.
Mr Ikeako also indicated that the project would generate about 200 direct and indirect jobs, create activities, increase income and growth as well as improve the state’s internally generated revenue.
The Chairman and Chief Executive of M-P Infrastructure, Mr Clem Nwogbo assured that Awka Millennium City would be among the best of its kind in Nigeria with state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure comparable to premium estates in Lagos and Abuja.
Δ Mr Clem Nwogbo, Chairman/CEO M-P Infrastructure
Mr Nwogbo explained that the ambitious project would comprise a large-scale residential neighbourhood with amenities such as shopping malls, parks, medical facilities and schools.
He noted that the model city was in line with the rapid modernization and regeneration aspirations of the state government.
Mr Nwogbo revealed that the company was already boosting local enterprise by awarding ₦120 million contract for the construction of the perimeter fence of the 100 hectares city to the Anambra State Hydraform and Concrete Agency.