Awka City to be modelled after Dubai - Gov. Obiano

Arrangements have been concluded  to invite competent world-class architects to design the multi-city concept envisaged for the Awka Capital Territory by the state government, according to the Chairman of Board of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), Mr. Chika Egwuatu.
Egwuatu disclosed this when he led the seven-month-old  board members and management staff of the authority on a familiarisation visit and to present an Awka Capital Territory Model to the Chairman of  Anaocha Local Government Council, Ikenna Ejiofor, and his officials.
The ACTDA boss  pointed out that the advertisement for the bidding of the contract for the designing of the multi-city  concept would be awarded early 2015 as soon as governor Obiano approves the Development Control Manual prepared by the Board and being vetted by an eight-member Ad-hoc Review Committee set up by the state  government.
Egwuatu, accompanied by the Board’s Managing Director, Mr. Joseph Okeke, Mr. Willie Okafor and Mr. Don Ifejika all architects, , as well as  a management staff, Jude Oguguo stated that for the first time in the history of South-East Zone, Anambra would  be the first state to use an aerial photography with 10 centimetres  resolution to capture items on the ground within the Territory.
He lamented that absence of a Master Plan  since 23 years of existence of the State has accounted for the haphazard construction being witnessed in the State and pointed out that such developments risks removal, adding that compensation or swapping mechanism  might be considered for payment of genuinely acquired land.
He recalled that  two indigenes of Anaocha Local Government Area have played key roles in sourcing and piecing together relevant materials for the packaging of the Development Control Manual,  and stated that the Awka Capital Territory Model took cognizance of good aspects of Dubai, Seoul and Kigali models,and when completed, the Territory would wear a new look.
Egwuatu revealed that multi-city concept would entail  developing  modern cities  in different places within the Territory and provided with all the necessary facilities, except that the Awka capital city model would have in addition, three arms zone, to accommodate the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government.
He noted that Anaocha falls under the 10 kilometres radius  covered by the Awka Capital Territory and that necessitated  the visit to brief the Council boss and his team about the plans and projects of the Authority and to  seek synergy  between the Authority and Council.
In his response, Anaocha Council Chairman, Hon. Ejiofor  who expressed delight with the appointment of the 10-member Board in May 2014 pointed out that the speed in producing Development Control Manual within six months lends credence to the fact that the governor picked  accomplished professionals who determined to achieve the  vision and mission of the present administration.
Ejiofor , surrounded by his Deputy, Secretary and some supervisors and top government officials of the Council assured the Authority of all necessary support, noting that his Council area has made a mark in the area of effective  planning and development.
He appreciated the speed with which the governor has been pursuing his programmes and expressed the hope that the planned multi-city concept for the Awka Capital Territory would be achieved under the Obiano administration.

By Chukwujekwu Ilozue