By
Dr. Faruk Sani
Competence, courage and experience are sine quo non for any infrastructure development. This is more so of a new city development, which plays a crucial role in managing and shaping the growth of old cities by offering a planned and sustainable alternative to uncontrolled urban sprawl. The objective of such new cities is usually to alleviate population pressure and catalyze economic activities. With its new infrastructure that introduces unique living experience, a new city integrates and positively impacts on an existing settlement. It enhances overall urban efficiency and regional development as well as guarantees a balanced and resilient long-term expansion. Egypt’s Medinaty City, the Dubai Creek Harbour and King Abdallah Economic City in Saudi Arabia are few examples of master planned cities that function as infecting urban clusters within the broader old cities.
It is with this notion in mind that Bauchi State Government embarks on an ambitious project to develop a new city, which experts believe, would transform the landscape of the state capital and boost the state’s socio-economic standing not only in North-east geopolitical zone but in the entire Northern Nigeria. A public private partnership initiative, the project is part of the aspiration of the Governor of Bauchi State, Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, to usher in a new era of infrastructure development, safety and economic revitalization, which Bauchi State desperately requires. The project aligns with the state’s broader agenda of attracting investment and improving the living standards of its citizens.
The strategic location and distinctive vegetation of Bauchi State makes the project worthwhile. Bauchi serves as a crucial link to various parts of the country, which makes it a viable hub for commercial and social interactions within the region. It shares borders with seven other states, namely Kano and Jigawa to the north,
Taraba and Plateau to the south, Gombe and Yobe to the east, and Kaduna to the west. Interestingly, it has multiple distinctive vegetational zones including wet Savannah in the South, the dry semi-desert in the north, and a small extension of the mountainous Jos Plateau in its southwestern part, making it uniquely a home for many – a true home away from home.
The Bauchi New City project will, when completed, naturally consolidate the accommodative nature of the state. On an expanse flat land that spans approximately 1,200 hectares, the project is demarcated along Ningi Road in
Bauchi metropolitan area. The Governor leverages on his knowledge and experience to guide the successful completion of crucial preliminary works including survey, planning, engineering and resettlement. Soil tests were conducted to guide in the structural designs of the roads, while critical designs for Roads, Drainages, Water supply, electrical, sewerage (including cesspools for some neighborhoods) and telecommunications have been concluded and ready for the market. In fact, it is expected that the final layout, produced by one of the best Nigerian professionals, will be available for exhibition at the Abuja Housing Show scheduled for 27th July to 1st August 2025. Obviously, unlike what obtains in many states of the federation, Governor Muhammed’s approach is a comprehensive urban planning, aiming for a well-organized and modern city environment.
Based on the design, the components of the Bauchi New City will include low, medium and high-density residential hubs that provide for modern housing solutions to ameliorate Bauchi’s growing population and to attract both tourists and new settlers from neighboring states. There are also mixed-use, comprehensive and commercial hubs dedicated for businesses, markets, and economic activities that will stimulate trade and investment. Infrastructure networks of roads, drainage, electricity and fiber optic as well as transportation and public utility are distinct
clusters in the Bauchi New City’s design. In addition, there are provisions for education, public and religious institutions, healthcare, recreation, cemetery, parks and open spaces to ensure high quality of life for residents.
Truly, the project may look ambitious in terms of funding, timing and the age-old policy inconsistency associated with government business. The total project cost is about US$1.2 billion, and the governor is already 2 years into his last 4-year term of office. However, looking at the knowledge, competence and experience of Governor Bala Mohammed which he garnered over the years as well as the positivity of the Net Present Value (NPV) of the project and the comprehensive risk analyses carried out by reputable PPP experts, one may not doubt that he will pull the project to successful offtake. Without doubt, his background and audacity provide a strong foundation for undertaking a project of this magnitude.
Governor Bala Mohammed was a Director at the Federal Ministry of Transport when Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria and Nigerian Ports Authority concluded their respective air and sea terminal concession programmes. His experience in oversight of infrastructure implementation as a Senator of the Federal Republic between 2007 and 2010 cannot be waived, while his five-year stint as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), a planned city with robust infrastructure, is a significant asset that could strengthen his knowledge and capacity. In particular,
his experience on project conceptualization, funding and implementation of infrastructure projects, both public and private, cannot be underestimated.
It is on record that during his tenure as FCT Minister, he successfully sanitized the land administration system, streamlining processes and ensuring proper land management, which is crucial for any large-scale urban development. He carried out extensive road expansion and, despite the envelope policy of the then Coordinating Finance Minister Okonjo Eweala, he ensured availability of adequate funds for the expansion of Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Road and the construction of Kubwa Expressway. He explored project finance model of public projects funding, which made him to introduce the land swap policy in FCT, an innovative policy that utilized land as a resource to fast-track infrastructure development. He went ahead before his exit in 2015 to deliver comprehensive district designs of the entire FCC phase IV at no cost to the FCT Administration. He developed satellite towns, demonstrating experience in expanding urban areas beyond the core city and ensured the completion of major water projects, such as Usama Dam Water project, highlighting his focus on essential utilities.
Since assuming the governorship of Bauchi State in 2019, Senator Bala Mohammed has demonstrated a clear commitment to infrastructure development and urban renewal. His administration has overseen a massive infrastructure revolution across the state, the quality and inspiration of which was the Julius Berger’s Abuja standard. These include the dualization of major roads, construction of flyovers and asphalting of numerous rural roads, which significantly improved connectivity in Bauchi metropolis and across the state. In the social service sector, the Governor renovated and constructed healthcare and educational facilities, thereby enhancing access to quality healthcare and promoting school enrollment to reduce the number of out-of-school children.
The pedigree and skills of Governor Bala Mohammed are the building blocks of Bauchi’s New City project. His track record, both at FCT and in Bauchi, showcases a deep understanding of urban planning, project execution, and the importance of robust infrastructure for socio-economic development. It is therefore no surprise that in the conceptualization of this project, the Governor has emphasized on adhering to “Abuja standard” of project design and demanding commensurate value for money in its implementation. This experience positioned him as the most
competent leader to spearhead the Bauchi New City project – a project that aims to
create a sustainable and thriving urban center in the state capital.
Dr. Faruk Sani was the former Coordinator/ CEO of Abuja Infrastructure Investment Centre (AIIC)
