Construction

Multiple member of Julius Berger were present at the summit. (Image source: Julius Berger)

Julius Berger Nigeria, an engineering construction company, has highlighted its commitment to greener and inclusive urban development through its participation at the Future Cities Summit

The conference ran in Lagos, Nigeria, from 16-19 July and was held under the theme of ‘Building Resilient Futures: Integrating Carbon Neutrality, Circular Economy and Inclusive Urban Development’. It placed urban resilience at the forefront of policy discourse on the trajectory of African cities with organisers suggesting that sustainable urbanism is not just about reducing carbon emissions but creating inclusive environments that can adapt, survive and thrive among future challenges. It featured a number of presentations from event sponsors and partners around this theme to set new norms in African construction as well as devise strategies for achieving carbon neutrality in cities.

Julius Berger was among these and contributed to the collective drive towards greener practices. Speaking at the conference, Jochen Stolle, director, corporate development of Julius Berger Nigeria, recalled the various initiatives by the construction company in enhancing sustainability in all aspects of its operations. He stated that Julius Berger actively pursues opportunities to foster shared value, aligning the interests of the company with those of the nation, communities, and dedicated staff. As reported by the organisation, Stolle touched on the various topics at the forefront of the summit and how Julius Berger has contributed including:

• Environment-centric solutions: company targets include the ongoing adoption of such solutions like incorporating energy-tracking smart buildings, utilising green concrete and recycled aggregates, implementing sustainable site installations, and leveraging prefabricated construction techniques;
• Sustainability and corporate social responsibility: the organisation adheres to the ten universal principles of the United Nations Global Compact;
• CSR: Julius Berger remains committed through donations and community development initiatives;
• Health safety & environment: the director noted that the company prioritises welfare of staff, broader society and the environment in Nigeria, adding that rigorous health, safety, and environmental measures are implemented to ensure responsible growth while preserving resources for the future.
• Human capital development: efforts include philanthropy and social welfare initiatives.

Ghana’s President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, speaking at the launch. (Image source: Office of the President, Republic of Ghana)

Ghana’s President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has presided over the sod-cutting ceremony for the dualisation of the Anwiankwanta-Ahenema Kokoben Road

The 20 km project is considered a vital step towards enhancing the road infrastructure in the Ashanti Region and alleviating traffic congestion and improving connectivity.

“The dualisation of the Anwiankwanta-Ahenema Kokoben Road will address the perennial congestion experienced on this road, which has affected the movement of goods to towns such as Ahenema Kokoben, Brofoyeduru, Kotwi, Trede, Adjamesu Dominase, Ofoase Kokoben, Anwiankwanta, Bekwai, and Obuasi,” commented the President at the ceremony.

He continued by highlighting that the project is part of a broader initiative to improve road conditions across densely populated areas in a bid to reduce travel times, lower vehicle operating costs and enhance road safety.

The project in Ghana will be executed by M/S Kofi Job Ltd, a Ghanaian company, under the supervision of the Ministry of Roads and Highways through the Ghana Highway Authority.

“Our government remains committed to decongesting urban areas and improving the overall infrastructure of our nation,” the President surmised. “This project is a testament to our dedication to solving real-life challenges and enhancing the quality of life for Ghanaians.”

Other significant road projects in the region were also outlined by the President, including the dualisation of the Ofankor-Nsawam Road and the Adenta-Dodowa Road. Additionally, the government is focused on replicating such initiatives along other road corridors within the region, such as the Suame Roundabout to Tafo Pankrono, and in other parts of the country, such as Takoradi and Tamale.

In his concluding remarks, President Akufo-Addo stressed the importance of continued investment in road infrastructure to address the country’s road deficit and meet the evolving needs of the population.

The HQ is expected to be completed and handed over by February 2025. (Image source: ECOWAS)

The ECOWAS Ad-Hoc Ministerial Committee on the Construction of Headquarters of Community Institutions met at the site of the new ECOWAS Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, to assess progress

The new building – known as ‘The Eye of West Africa’ – is located along the Airport Road in the Nigerian city and is being constructed from a grant from the People’s Republic of China through the China International Development Cooperation Agency (China Aid). Work began at the site in November 2022 and, according to ECOWAS, substantial progress has been achieved; hitting 33% physical and 45% financial completion. As a result, the construction is expected to be completed and handed over by February 2025.

On the occasion of the committee’s visit, Damtien L. Tchintchibidja, the vice president of the ECOWAS Commission, expressed the appreciation of ECOWAS Institutions to the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the land provided, the duty waivers granted, development permits facilitated and all the other supports towards the commencement of the construction. The vice president also took the opportunity to pay thanks and respect to the People’s Republic of China, stating, “This gesture represents a beacon in the ongoing cooperation between the People’s Republic of China and ECOWAS Member States.”

Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and chairman of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, thanked his colleague Ministers for their continued commitment to advancing regional integration and socio-economic development of the region.

“The new ECOWAS Headquarters is poised to become a beacon of hope, embodying our shared values and heritage,” he added. “The structure symbolises a promising future for our people – a base from which we will continue to make important strides in regional integration, economic growth, and security.”

The Linnhoff TSD1500 Asphalt Mixing Plant is undertaking crucial work on two rural road projects in Kenya. (Image source: Lintec & Linnhoff)

Power China Group is utilising a Linnhoff TSD1500 Asphalt Mixing Plant for two rural road projects in Kenya, aimed at enhancing local economies and transportation networks 

The first project commenced in Embu City, located 125 km northeast of Nairobi, Kenya, focusing on a 5 km rural road. Activities included road repair to mitigate dust in local neighborhoods, involving soil removal, material replacement, and pothole compaction to improve accessibility for communities.

Following completion, the plant was swiftly disassembled and transported over 400 km to Voi, near Kenya’s southeastern border. At this new site, the plant embarked on constructing a 12 km road section, contributing to a significant transportation initiative by producing high-quality asphalt.

“Since 2010, we’ve been successfully working with the Lintec CSM and CSD Containerised Asphalt Mixing Plants, so we have full confidence in their capabilities, as well as how economical they are to transport from one location to another,” said a spokesperson from Power China Group. “The Linnhoff TSD1500 MobileMix asphalt mixing plant takes portability to a whole new level and has enabled us to react quickly to unexpected situations, while also delivering a healthy revenue stream.”

The Linnhoff TSD1500’s high productivity is impressive given the speed with which the plant can be dismantled, transported, and reassembled. It offers an output of 100-120 tph enabled by its 1,500 kg batch size and 45-55 second batch times,

The Linnhoff TSD range has been designed to maximise plug-and-play convenience while minimising the time spent to assemble and disassemble. There are four modules, and the easily transportable sections are mounted on a chassis which conforms to most international land transportation requirements. In addition, only prime movers are required for quick mobilisation as heavy cranes or concrete foundations are not needed for setup. This further enhances the suitability of these hot-mix asphalt mixing plants for short-term projects in remote locations. The plants also feature Linnhoff’s popular double screen drum technology.

These useful features make the range ideal for the rugged and complex terrain of Kenya's rural roads. The country has plenty of old roads with poor foundations so renovation and upgrading work demand high-performance, cost-efficient, and reliable equipment. Working conditions are further complicated by frequent rainfall which often hinder progress at construction sites.

“The tough conditions make it essential to choose a safe, reliable, accurate, and energy-efficient plant,” concluded the spokesperson. “We were looking for a cost-effective, high-quality asphalt mixing plant with strong relocation capacity to support highway renovation work on a variety of small- and medium-sized projects – and the Linnhoff TSD1500 MobileMix Asphalt Mixing Plant has surpassed all our expectations.”