The Building Of Dubai And Enyimba City: A Tale Of Two Cities.

Every living thing has the attribute of growth and growth is something that happens gradually. In other words, every country or city we celebrate today, is as a result of gradual change and this change are made by humans not Angels.

Do you know that Dubai is not a country?

Ok follow me, I will tell you about Dubai.

Dubai is not a country it is an Emirate. The Emirate is called United Arabic Emirate with the capital Abu Dhabi. The country is made up of 7 Emirates. Abu Dhabi deals with oil, Dubai is tourist centre then the remaining 5 deals with agriculture and farming in order to feed Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The History of Dubai

The Dubai we celebrate today, did not start great but today the choice of every traveller.

Now what happen in Dubai?

Do you know that,the first human settlement in the history area of Dubai was in approximately 3000 BCE, when the area was inhabited by nomadic cattle herders. On the 3rd century, CE, the area came under the control of the Sassanid Emir which lasted until the 7th century. The area was sustained by fishing and pearl diving for a thousand years, with the first record of the town being made in 1799, when the Bani Yas clan established it as a dependency of Abu Dhabi. Dubai became a separated Sheikhdom in 1833, when the Al- maktoum dynasty of the Bani Yas clan took it over peacefully.

Further more, the invention of the artificial pearls in 1926 and the Great depression in 1929 caused a collapse in the international pearl market which resulted in the Emir Shelkh saeed looking for an alternative source of income and inviting Indian and Iranian traders to settle there without paying any tax and Dubai becoming one of the leading re-export ports in the world.

You see, every country we celebrate their exploit today, has a track record that made them who they are now.

Modern Dubai

The major turning point in the history and fortunes of Dubai, was the discovery of oil.

When oil was discovered in 1966, Shelkh Rashid utilized the oil revenue to spur infrastructure development in Dubai, like schools, hospitals, roads, a modern telecommunication network, the pace of development was frenetic.

Still on the development, a new port and terminal building were built at Dubai international Airport followed by a runway extension that could accommodate any type of aircraft was implemented. Also the largest Man-made harbor in the world was constructed at jebel Ali, and a free zone was created around the port.

In the 1980s and early 1990s, Dubai took a strategic decision to emerge as a major international quality tourism destination and investment in tourism infrastructure have paid off handsomely over years.

In 1973, Dubai joined the other Emirate to adopt a single uniform currency. Then In the late 70s, the Jebel Ali free zone was created, comprising the world’s largest port and providing foreign countries and businesses unrestricted import and export.

As oil increased, Dubai focused closely on developing free-trade and tourism. In 2000, the Dubai financial market was established and by 2006 has made a net profit of approximate 797.5 million.

In addition to jebel Ali, Dubai internet city and media city where two of original free zones, offering foreign companies the tax free commercial space so highly sought after with thousands of companies moving offices to Dubai, the demand for residential real estate was unprecedented. The world’s eyes turn to Dubai with investors looking to invest in Dubai property before construction even began.

Do you know why? Every body wants to invest in an economy that is favourable.

Then in 2002, the crown Prince of Dubai made a commitment to all foreign nations to own a property free hold within the emirate. This was followed in 2006 with the publication of the lands law allowing foreign nationals the right to register their free hold property.

Dubai city

Dubai is now a city that boast unmatchable hotel, remarkable architecture and a world class entertainment and sporting events. Dubai is also known as a city of gold.

Have you heard of Emirate tower?

The Emirate tower in Dubai are one of the many structures that remind us of the commercial confidence in a city that expand at a remarkable rate, standing 350 meters high, the office tower is the tallest building in middle East and Europe.

Despite the recent global economic conditions, Dubai retains the fundamentals which excelled it to become an investors dreams, a place like no other and one of the most thriving destination for real estate in the world while there has been an adjustment in demand, the market is now returning and price have bottomed out. Now some of the best property deals ever witnessed are available on the market. Some desirable areas such as Dubai Marina have in fact experienced a rise in rental prices.

Finally in summary,When you look at the history and fortunes of Dubai, it was made a reality by the kind of governments they have and the system of government they operate. It took their government no long time to make Dubai what it is today, the same can be done in Aba in order to make Enyimba city the dream city of the world.

ENYIMBA CITY: Aba

Enyimba city is the most popular commercial town in Eastern Nigeria. It is a town after everybody’s heart.

Do you know, there is hardly any successful man or woman in Nigeria today that does not have an Aba story to tell. Little wonder Aba is called the Japan of Africa because of its manufacturing prowess, strong entrepreneurial orientation and the “can do” spirit of the people.

History Of Aba

Aba is a city and in the southeast of Nigeria and the main trading center in Abia State. Upon the creation of Abia state in 1991, Aba was divided into two local governments areas namely;

• Aba south and
• Aba North

Aba south is the main city center and the heart beat of Abia State, south-east Nigeria. It is located on the Aba River.

Aba is made up many villages such as;
Umuokpoji Aba, Eziukwu-Aba, Obuda-Aba, AbaUkwu and other villages from Ohazu merged due to administrative convenience.

Aba was established by the Ngwa clan of Igbo People of Nigeria as a market town and then later a military post was placed there by the British colonial administration in 1901.It lies along the west bank of the Aba River, and is at the intersection of roads leading to PortHarcourt, Owerri,Umuahia, Ikot Ekpene, and IkotAbasi. The city became a collecting point for agricultural products following the British made
railway running through it to Port Harcourt.

Aba is a major urban settlement and commercial center in a region that is surrounded by small villages and towns. The indigenous people of Aba are the Ngwa. Aba is well known for its craftsmen. As of 2004 Aba had an estimated population of 1,020,900.

Now Industrialization.

Industrialization is the process by which an economy is transformed from primarily to one based on the manufacturing of goods.

Why Industrialise Abia State.

Aba needs to be more industrialise so to attract foreign investors. So we need to come up to standard. Because“Abia has a wealth of natural endowments which enhance its industrialization potential. These include its people, agriculture mineral and other resources.

The importance things about Abia State

1.
Aba is one of the key commercial centres and industrial hubs of Nigeria. Aba is actually the SG’s main source of internally generated
revenue.

2. In Abia we have identified that the workforce posses particular abilities
in craftsmanship. Production of shoes, clothes and leather goods are very common in the state. Considering the fact that 70% of the labour force is below age 35 years and literacy level is about 72.5% indicates that the state has the potential to develop the skilled workers required for the industrial growth.

3. Abia state has navigable waterways through which it can access the neighbouring states. The state also has access to the coastal lands of the Niger Delta Region.

How The State Intends To Stimulate Industrialisation

“The only way we can properly industrialise the state and increase economic activity is by replacing manual labour with automated mass production equipment. “
Abia state has made plans to provide Industrial parks (IP’s). This will be a place where the required facilities and factory accommodation are provided by the government to entrepreneurs to establish industries.
IP’s offer economies of scale, reduction in infrastructure costs (sharing

of transportation and utilities). It creates a one-stop shop for industrial production.

E.g India has successfully used IP’s to promote the growth of SME industries and encourage the spread of industrial activities into rural and economically backward region.

Enyimba Economic City (EEC)

“Enyimba Economic City is the most audacious and ambitious project conceived with the intention of connecting 5 South Eastern States and 4 South Southern States of
Nigeria. The city has been designated as a Special Economic Zone by the Federal
Government and will have Free Trade Zone Status.

The project Enyimba Economic City which will be developed over an area of
approximately 9,803 ha, spanning three (3) local government areas of Ukwa West
and East as well as Ugwunagbo LGAs with an initial start-up phase of
approximately 1,800 ha will achieve the underlisted:

Create an economic hub that is central to the nine (9)Southeast and Southsouth
states, linked by road access, rail, airports and seaports.
Target manufacturing capacity transfer from local markets especially from places where labour cost advantage is declining.

Energize and entice local industries that have suffered due to infrastructural

deficit and inoperative environment to relocate to a new economic hub.

Economic City Is Nigeria’s Dubai

Introducing Enyimba Economic City in Aba, Abia State.

The proposed Enyimba Economic City in Aba will be Nigeria’s Dubai”.

EEC is a community that would close the gaps in the South- east and South- south. It entails the creation of an entertainment center, manufacturing hub, residential areas, ultra modern hospital and schools just like in Dubai.

EEC was designed to ensure an integrated city that would give investors opportunity to do business and export the product they would be manufacturing.

In other words, everyone should come and invest in Abia now that the spaces are still open, because the Enyimba Economic City would very soon materialize.

Do you know that, the automated shoemaking machine bought from China has arrive Aba? Then the 30 shoemakers who were trained in China would soon commence making use of the machine to produce shoes in Aba.

So the quality of made in Aba product would become irresponsible and will turn around the economy and fortunes of Nigeria.

You see,the opportunity in Aba city, especially the proposed Enyimba Economic City are enormous and lucrative.

So all and sundry are encouraged to embrace the Enyimba Economic City project and invest in Aba.

Finally people should be aware of opportunities in Aba to be able to exploit them. Aba is ranked as of the nation’s fastest growing economy.

Therefore the history of Aba economy and how it has grown to its present state is no more a secret.

The proposed Enyimba Economic City is a project everyone should identify with.

Enyimba Economic City is Nigeria’s Dubai”. I love this city and I will be alive to see it happen.

@Mr.Daniel Chinagozi, CEO Innovation Growth Hub.