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In 2007 the government of Rivers State, Nigeria contracted a South African firm to produce a master
plan for a new city called Greater Port Harcourt to be situated in the outskirts of the old city. The
Greater Port Harcourt Master Plan 2008 is here examined in the context of current thinking as to
whether it has credentials that meet aspirations fo...
Context in source publication
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... using CO 2 per capita and carbon foot printing of the plan area. Nigeria is a federation of 36 states and Port Harcourt is the capital of Rivers State. The hierarchy of government is distributed between tiers with a very powerful federal government, the constituting states and local government areas (LGAs). Planning derives from this structure because the federal government plans at the supra and regional level, that gives rise to agencies that cut across many states or the country as a whole. The River Basins are outcome of this position and national cities like Lagos and Abuja are considered spheres were the national government contribute significantly. States concentrate on sub- regional plans and local plans, by this arrangement, all other cities in Nigeria besides Lagos and Abuja predominantly fall under state planning regulations. There is also good planning authority exercised at the LGAs, but it is limited by lack resources to plan with and general dereliction at that level of government in Nigeria. Urban Planning in Port Harcourt is essentially through the instruments of the state government because it straddles several LGAs. There are also federal planning influences in places where it has acquired large interests. Onne Town and its environs which constitute one of the strands of the Greater Port Harcourt Master had a separate master plan drawn up by the federal government since 1980 (see Federal Ministry of Housing and Environment,1981). How that plan will comingle with Greater Port Harcourt Master plan is not clear because the authors of the New Master Plan did not indicate its existence. The relationships of the various planning authorities in Nigeria are illustrated in Figure 1. Port Harcourt was formally established in 1912 under British rule. The city was planned and land use controls were established, as per the British system of town and country planning, to manage the urban composition and its growth. City planning entailed the establishment of a central business district that for the most part housed commercial and institutional uses, surrounded by homogenous residential areas and suburbs. Provision was made for open spaces and parks, little of which still remain today, but, which together with the tree-lined arterial routes, earned Port Harcourt the status of Garden City. In time Port Harcourt grew into a major city, accommodating roughly 195 000 people by the 1960s. Then came independence and 30 years of military rule, which brought with it serious instability. During this time there was no regard for planning and formal development, and nearly all established planning procedures, systems and structures were abandoned. However, it was also in this time that petroleum was discovered, which despite volatile governance resulted in major population influx into the city which continues to this day. The planning philosophy of the firm engaged for Greater Port Harcourt adopted a blend of principles, which come from 19th Century Garden City planning and 20th Century New Urbanism and Sustainability. They argued that the principles of Garden City in England of the 19th century and the Urbanism of 20th century are workable synthesis for the regeneration of Port Harcourt. It appears that from inception up to about 40 years ago Port Harcourt was a well-developed and well-managed port city that boasted good infrastructure and service delivery, low densities, well kept open spaces and parks, a formal CBD and a well-defined institutional precinct. The City had status and was visually attractive to the extent that it was known as the Garden City of Nigeria, but it is arguable whether such an appellation still fits its present state. The ways some urban features disconnect are apparent for Port Harcourt, so it is a generally held opinion of a need to reinstate values that can uphold the former status, create good and healthy living environment, and achieve sustainability and plan for the future. The objective of the Urban Design Framework is to create a new and exciting urban environment where citizens feel safe, their lifestyle is uplifted and investments are protected through the application of known urban design principles. The territory of Rivers State of Nigeria where the city of Port Harcourt is situated comprises 23 LGAs, while the City of Port Harcourt, i.e. Greater Port Harcourt, extends over 8 of them, these 8 LGAs are: Port Harcourt LGA, the most southern LGA; Oyigbo, Eleme, Okrika and Ogu-Bolo LGAs situated to the east and south of the CBD; Obio/Akpor directly to the north of Port Harcourt LGA; Ikwerre LGA to the north-west of Obio/Akpor LGA; and Etche LGA to the north-east which includes the Otamiri-Etche River. Greater Port Harcourt does not completely encase all eight areas. In most instances, only sections or fractions of the LGAs form part of the urban agglomeration which is known as Greater Port Harcourt. The expanded City covers an area of approximately 1900sq. km (see Figure 2) and houses over 2 million people, who by and large live in conditions of informal shelters and high densities. Large portions within will remain undeveloped due to a number of factors such as natural and physical constraints (like excessively ponded places), retention of existing settlements in the outskirts of the old city, large infrastructure like, the refinery-petrochemical complexes, airports, etc. Limited habitat space, poor town planning and urban management, and lack of a flood and erosion policy and or its implementation, have resulted in many structures being built within flood prone areas, while other structures have been built in storm water discharge areas. The consequence is that very many houses are located in unsafe areas, which is of great concern. Flooding in the city is a common occurrence; a minor rainfall event causes major flooding problems around the city. It should be noted that flooding is not caused by the overflow of rivers and creeks, but by rain falling on the impervious surface of the urban terrain. The Master Plan proposes a storm water master plan to manage flooding in the city using rivers as primary drainage channels. The actual land area left to accommodate the New City is approximately 40 000ha. The Greater Port Harcourt Master Plan projecting at its inception in 2008 from a population of 1 884 570 at a growth rate of 2,84% until 2020 produces a total population for Greater Port Harcourt of 2 637 285 people. This means that in addition to de-densifying the city and providing space for it, the city has to make provision for an additional 700 000 people by 2020. For progressive intervals the projected population growth of the city is as follows: 2015: 2,2 million 2020: 2,6 million 2025: 3 million 2030: 3,4 million Further calculations also suggest that at a delivery of 7 000 residential units per annum, it will take 50 years to develop the full 350 000 units which constitute the New City. To ensure that all the needs of the project are met three levels of progressive planning from a metropolitan level down to a neighbourhood level were instituted. The greater metropolitan area comprises the old city and its immediate hinterland. The task of the firm of planners is to provide a strategic planning document that contains development proposals instant on the immediate growth and for its expansion in an integrative manner. The various project disciplines were conceived in a realistic platform whose goals are attainable. A simple phasing in project timeline prioritises activities for implementation assign incremental, but steady improvement of the old city, while pursuing the development of the new city. Inputs to the process by several disciplines are collated to create a holistic set of principles that fed into the plan. Although the New City plans to accommodate approximately 350 000 households, the first phase for instance is a mixed use zone for 20,000 units and its implementation is on-going. The framework identified a suitable area with suitable qualities for those uses that best promote the design philosophy. The planning framework for the first phase incorporated broad assessment for bulk service implementation, urban design and landscaping guidelines that will be incorporated into detailed township plans. The new city spatial and land use plan aims to develop a coherent development framework that integrates the various disciplines into a comprehensive plan for the City; provide a directive for other technical disciplines, to define the way forward and ensure that all disciplines work towards achieving the same outcome; and create a tool for government in terms of which urban growth and development can and should be managed to reinstate the garden city of decades before, which will be a well governed and thriving world-class city. In this regard the spatial and land use planning component of the project is critical, as it comprehensively connects all the aspects to create a feasible and practical solution. Spatial planning integrates the different project components to provide a plan that gives form to the future City of Greater Port Harcourt. Standards for service delivery were compiled based on international best practices, which have been slightly adjusted to Port Harcourt‟s unique circumstances. The proportion al space to be set aside for service standards for the various social service categories is presented in Table 1. Because existing detailed delivery quantities are not available, the standards could not be used to calculate existing delivery backlog. However, these standards were very relevant in estimating service provision for the New City, which form part of the Master Plan for Port Harcourt. The key elements that drive the economy of Rivers State where Greater Port Harcourt is are agriculture and petroleum. Previously an array of manufacturing industries like tyre, ceramic, enamel, wrought iron, confectionaries, office equipment food ...
Citations
... On this experience, the Rivers State government of Nigeria in 2008 embarked on a vision of building a thriving, economically vibrant and diverse world class competitive and attractive model Garden cum Tourism city with emboldened conscious land use activities that will make its residents enjoy an enviable quality of life, sustainable development, security and good health with enhanced viable economic global integration. The cumulative area for the new city spans eight Local Government Areas of Rivers State, namely-the entire Port Harcourt Municipality and parts of Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre, Etche, Oyigbo, Eleme, Ogu/ Bolo and Okrika Local Government Areas which in total covers an area of approximately 1,900 square kilometres (9,190,000 hectares of land) and to house a projected population of about two million people [9]. This prompted the preparation of a master plan to co-ordinate and integrate a number of projects in the direction of the overall vision. ...
... On this experience, the Rivers State government of Nigeria in 2008 embarked on a vision of building a thriving, economically vibrant and diverse world class competitive and attractive model Garden cum Tourism city with emboldened conscious land use activities that will make its residents enjoy an enviable quality of life, sustainable development, security and good health with enhanced viable economic global integration. The cumulative area for the new city spans eight Local Government Areas of Rivers State, namely-the entire Port Harcourt Municipality and parts of Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre, Etche, Oyigbo, Eleme, Ogu/ Bolo and Okrika Local Government Areas which in total covers an area of approximately 1,900 square kilometres (9,190,000 hectares of land) and to house a projected population of about two million people [9]. This prompted the preparation of a master plan to co-ordinate and integrate a number of projects in the direction of the overall vision. ...
This paper examined, why the Rivers State Government of Nigeria engaged in the Greater Port Harcourt city project as well as individual communities' residents' attitudes in support or against government demand of communities' land for agropolitan residential housing development in the GPH city. Survey questionnaire retrieved from 258 heads of households in 8 selected communities of the Greater Port Harcourt city and key informants' responses were the methods used. The result shows that Greater Port Harcourt City was born to contain and curtail the spill over population, provide good and quality infrastructure and services, upgrade informal settlements and create sustainable residential developments. Respondents' attitude towards land acquisition for self-sustainable agropolitan residential housing development was positive and supportive with modal first to three mention of "More persons will own better homes (27.3%), it will enable me own my personal house (18.2%) and it will solve the housing problem in the area (16.3%) respectively'.
... The Rivers State government of Nigeria in 2008 embarked on a vision of building a thriving, economically vibrant and diverse world class competitive and attractive model Garden cum Tourism city with emboldened conscious land use activities that will make its residents enjoy an enviable quality of life, sustainable development, security and good health with enhanced viable economic global integration. The cumulative area for the new city spans eight Local Government Areas of Rivers State, namely-the entire Port Harcourt Municipality and parts of Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre, Etche, Oyigbo, Eleme, Ogu/ Bolo and Okrika Local Government Areas which in total covers an area of approximately 1,900 square kilometres (9,190,000 hectares of land) and to house a projected population of about two million people (Ede, Owei and Akarolo, 2011). This prompted the preparation of a master plan to co-ordinate and integrate a number of projects in the direction of the overall vision. ...
The Rivers State government of Nigeria 2008 vision of building a thriving, economically vibrant and diverse world class competitive and attractive model city tagged the 'Greater Port Harcourt City' in the midst of predominant agricultural communities was believed to see the light of the day if community residents primary source of income and basic socio-cultural activities are sustainably absorbed to form part of the mechanism to drive the development plan. This gives room to the rolling out of several strategic plans with agropolitan residential housing development as one which happens to be the focus of this paper. The idea is concentrated in creating an inclusive and self-sustainable agropolitan residential housing development that will be operated on a private sector model which will successfully engage even the poorest of the poor and provide access to decent affordable housing, employment and revenue generation through conscious involvement in agriculture, light support industries, real estate activities, power generation and distribution, waste management and recycling. The aim of this paper is to assess the residents level of acceptance of this agropolitan project with measurable objectives which are to ascertain the residents' personal attributes of income, gender, educational status, marital status and occupation in the study area; ascertain the acceptability of the proposed social housing development amongst potential beneficiaries and explore residents' personality variables in explaining the variation in acceptability of agropolitan social housing development in Greater Port Harcourt City. The study relied on the output of survey questionnaire items retrieved from 258 heads of households in 8 selected communities of the Greater Port Harcourt city. The findings of the study revealed the residents level of acceptance of agropolitan social housing development with modal response as "Yes", accounting for 78.7% of the distribution. The reason for residents' acceptance was captured in the order of modal first to three mention which are "More persons will own better homes (27.3%), it will enable me own my personal house (18.2%) and it will solve the housing problem in the area (16.3%) respectively'. Finally, using residents' personality variables (income, education, gender, marital status and occupation) in explaining the variation in acceptability of agropolitan social housing development, the study found out that the level of acceptance of agropolitan project as controlled by the 'No-income', 'Low-income and Lower-medium income' target groups is high (96%) and with 29% (the mode) in income category falls in "less than N30,000" bracket; secondary level education was the mode with 35%. For Gender, males accounted for the mode of 64%; Marital Status accounted for the mode of 55% and finally, amongst all occupations, traders'/ business people accounted for the mode of 25%.
... As this paper shows, the urban planning sphere is not lacking in knowledgeable professionals or laws and policies to manage the physical environment, but a gap lies in implementation and control, allowing these laws to be critiqued as only existing on paper (Echendu, 2019;Gyau, 2018;Ikelegbe & Andrew, 2012;Owusu-Ansah, 2016). Port Harcourt city demonstrates the same tendencies, with a master plan to guide development that has been lauded as comprehensive (Ede et al., 2011), but on-going environmental issues linked to planning in the city indicate that development is not occurring as per the plan. ...
... Semistructured interviews were undertaken by author 1 with five urban planners. Snowballing, a purposive sampling method, was used to recruit participants following Ede et al., 2011) specific criteria (urban planners). In this instance, an acquaintance of author 1 was working as an urban planner with the Rivers State government and was invited to participate in the research. ...
Flooding is the most widespread environmental disaster in Nigeria and flooding impacts are exacerbated by poor urban planning. Flooding is a direct impediment to Nigeria achieving its sustainable development goals (SDGs). While urban planners are responsible for implementing policy changes to address the issue of flooding, there is very little research that explores their views on the linkages between urban planning, flooding, and public policy. Using the city of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, as a case study, this paper presents data from interviews with practicing urban planning professionals. It argues that Port Harcourt’s urban planners have a sound understanding of principles of sustainability and are fully aware of the connections between poor urban planning and flooding. They do however see widespread public non-compliance with planning laws and improper building approvals, rather than systemic failures of governance, as the main issues that undermine the city’s legal and planning architecture put in place to control floods.
... The lack of proper urban planning and management is linked to the flooding problem in Port Harcourt (Elenwo & Efe, 2014;Ibama & Wocha, 2017). In Port Harcourt, increased urbanisation means a growing proportion of ground surfaces are concreted, which means there is no percolation of water, and inadequate drains to effectively clear the surface runoff (Adeloye & Rustum, 2011;Ede, Owei, & Akarolo, 2011). This makes it imperative to construct drainage systems to combat floods (Etuonovbe, 2011). ...
... This big rise in population has naturally led to an increase in the number of urban dwellings of which the majority are unplanned and unregulated; this, in combination with high intensity rainfalls (Nwankwoala & Jibril, 2019) (d) Development Control/Enforcement. The master plan has been commended as being comprehensive and incorporating the important factors that guide the development of the city (Ede et al., 2011). The master plan recognises the endemic flooding problem in the city and comprises a storm water master plan to manage flooding in the city. ...
... This causes blockage and results in flooding during the rainy season. Even though the master plan incorporates waste management (Ede et al., 2011), it could be said to exist only on paper as a result of poor implementation. Planners have a role in the siting of waste management facilities during the design and development of a city (Onu, Surendran, & Price, 2014). ...
Flooding is widely recognised as a global problem which has worsened in recent years due to climate change. In Nigeria, flooding remains the most widespread environmental disaster with the population of 200 million suffering numerous threats from perennial flooding. Port Harcourt in Southern Nigeria experiences annual flooding on a significant scale. While research has linked the flooding in Port Harcourt to poor urban planning, little research has engaged with planning professionals to investigate this relationship. This paper fills this gap. It explores how urban planning is linked to flooding in Port Harcourt and reports on qualitative research undertaken with five urban planners in Port Harcourt. The findings affirm that poor planning and/or lack of compliance with planning regulations are the main factors contributing to the flooding of Port Harcourt. The urban planners gave their expert opinions on how to control the flooding and unanimously agreed that improved planning practices could control the endemic flooding problem in the city. This implies that the government needs to work more closely with urban planners and other stakeholders to effectively control and find a lasting solution to the flooding problem in Port Harcourt city.
... Port-Harcourt is the fourth largest city in Nigeria after Lagos, Kano and Ibadan [46]. It is the administrative capital of Rivers State and the largest city in the Niger Delta with a population exceeding two million inhabitants [47]. ...
Globally, cities in developing countries are urbanising at alarming rates, and a major concern to hydrologists and planners are the options that affect the hydrologic functioning of watersheds. Environmental impact assessment (EIA) has been recognised as a key sustainable development tool for mitigating the adverse impacts of planned developments, however, research has shown that planned developments can affect people and the environment significantly due to urban flooding that arises from increased paved surfaces. Flooding is a major sustainable development issue, which often result from increased paved surfaces and decreased interception losses due to urbanisation and deforestation respectively. To date, several environmental assessment studies have advanced the concept of alternatives, yet, only a small number of hydrologic studies have discussed how the location of paved surface could influence catchment runoff. Specifically, research exploring the effects of location alternative in EIAs on urban hydrology is very rare. The Greater Port-Harcourt City (GPH) development established to meet the growth needs in Port-Harcourt city (in the Niger Delta) is a compelling example. The aim of this research is to examine the relative effect of EIA alternatives in three different locations on urban hydrology. The Hydrologic Engineering Centre’s hydrologic modelling system (HEC-HMS) hydrodynamic model was used to generate data for comparing runoff in three different basins. HEC-HMS software combine models that estimate: Loss, transformation, base flow and channel routing. Results reveal that developments with the same spatial extent had different effects on the hydrology of the basins and sub-basins in the area. Findings in this study suggest that basin size rather than location of the paved surface was the main factor influencing the hydrology of the watershed.
... Along with questions relating to land acquisition, affordability of housing (Adelekan, 2013), as well as dispossession and resettlement procedures, scholars and activists fear that the new developments will only exacerbate existing gaps between rich and poor (Cities Alliance, 2015; Lumumba, 2013;Van Noorloos and Kloosterboer, 2018;Wamsler et al., 2015). Although some scholars have published rather optimistic and uncritical accounts of new city plans (Ede et al., 2011;Olawepo, 2010), others critique the new projects for disregarding sustainable development ideals (Adeponle, 2013;Watson and Agbola, 2013), resulting in increased vulnerability to climate change for slum populations displaced to make way for the new developments (Adelekan, 2013). ...
This paper explores the emerging new master-planned city-building trend on the African continent. Situating our research within urban policy mobilities literature, we investigate the 'Africa rising' narrative and representation of Africa as a 'last development frontier' and 'last piece of cake', an imaginary that provides fertile ground for the construction of new cities. Building upon research on the practices of 'seduction' that facilitate urban policy circulation, we argue for the relevance of critically examining elite stakeholder rhetoric to understand the relative ease with which the new development model is being promoted in Africa. We investigate the enablers, advocates and boosters of new cities, represented mainly by states, corporations, non-profits and consultants to render visible the complex networks of relations and private interests that support and enable the creation and circulation of the new cities model in Africa. We also analyse the pervasive 'right to development' argument among African elites, which precludes criticism of new city ventures and circulates problematic assumptions about modernity and development. We conclude by discussing how stakeholder rhetoric limits the range of urban visions that are put into circulation and mobilized for Africa's urban future.
... Despite these statutory controls, issues of overcrowding and the construction of squatter settlements persist, and levels of compliance remain low [42]. The federal, state, and local governments share responsibility for land-use planning and development control, with the Federal Planning Commission taking responsibility for national physical development plans and sub-regional plans, the Rivers State Urban and Regional Planning Board controlling urban and regional plans in the state, and the local planning authorities controlling the town and rural plans [42,44]. ...
Developing countries have been rapidly urbanising over the last decades, resulting in major environmental pressures and increased vulnerability to natural disasters. A complex combination of factors, including climate change, land use change, poorly implemented regulation and a lack of integrated planning has often resulted in environmental degradation and disproportionate impacts of natural disasters affecting millions worldwide, particularly in tropical cities. The main aim of this study is to understand the effects of land-use and climate change on flooding in the Greater Port-Harcourt watershed. The specific research objectives were: to understand the historical and future land use /land cover changes; to understand the magnitude of change in hydrologic and hydraulic conditions due to land-use and climate changes; to assess the influence of different forest mitigation scenarios on peak-discharge; and to make recommendations on how to improve future planning using insights from this study. Methodologically, the post-classification change detection method was applied to examine the extent and nature of historical LULC changes using remotely sensed data. Future LULC changes were estimated by superimposing the 2060 digitised Masterplan map on the year 2003 baseline imagery. Hydrologic changes were assessed using HEC-HMS model, while changes in the hydraulic condition were assessed using HEC-RAS model. Model output was further used to map flood hazards, flood zones and damage potential. Priority areas and infrastructure at risk were identified by means of their location in flood zones and exposure to floods with high damage potential. On the extent of change, this study revealed that urbanisation and loss of agricultural land had been the dominant and intensive land use change in the watershed. Urbanisation is projected to almost double its 2003 extent by 2060 and is likely to remain the dominant force of land use change. On the nature of change, this study found that urban land was the most dynamic in terms of gross gain and net change. It exhibited the grossest gain (about 9% of the watershed) and the grossest loss leading to a high net change of about 8.6%. In fact, the most prominent transition was the conversion of agricultural land (about 422km2) to urban land, and roughly 93.3% of all conversions to urban land resulted from agricultural land. On the process of change, urban land mainly experienced a net-type of change (change in quantity), whereas changes in agricultural land was more of a swap-type of change (change in location). Importantly, the study reveals that the impact on flood flow was historically significant (about 68%) and is projected to amplify in future, however, these changes are largely attributed to increased storm size. Urbanisation is likely to have little or no impact on annual maximum peak flow at the watershed scale; however, urbanisation is projected to have a considerable impact on peak flow in a number of subbasins, which could have severe implications for flash flooding in those subbasins. Similarly, afforestation could have little or no impact on future maximum peak flow when assessed at the watershed scale. Although some subbasins experienced changes in peak flow, the effect of forest is variable. The study concludes that although the impact of urbanisation is projected to be insignificant at the watershed scale, it could also increase flood risk due to increasing developments in floodplains and channel encroachment. Priority infrastructure and areas requiring urgent flood risk management include the Port-Harcourt seaports, Onne seaport, the University of Science and Technology and cement factory. Priority areas in the Masterplan are mainly in the south (Phase 3), comprising of the Air force base and the residential area near Onne seaport. Lastly, approximately 8.1km and 189m of road and rail network are at greater risk of flooding by means of their exposure to floods with the highest damage potential. Based on this study, I have furthered understanding by showing that the transition to urban land category was dominated by net changes (i.e. changes in quantity). I have also furthered understanding by showing that substantial changes in future urban land-use may not have significant effect on flood parameters. My main contribution to knowledge is that despite the high rate of urbanisation in the GPH watershed and its minimal impact on flooding (which could be due the large size of the storm and watershed), urbanisation could still increase flood risk due to greater exposure of elements at risk in the flood plains to damaging floods. Based on the results, the study recommends that the development authorities should integrate both structural measures (mainly for flood defence around existing developments) and non-structural measures (primarily for future developments). For flood risk management research, this study recommends that conclusions about the effects of urbanisation should not be made solely on the basis of changes in hydrology and river hydraulics, however researchers should also consider the exposure of important elements at risk within the floodplains under study to better understand the effects of urbanisation. Moreover, to better understand urbanisation effects on runoff dynamics in other watersheds, this study recommends that research efforts should be concerted in understanding subbasin-scale changes given that the effects of urbanisation are more pronounced in smaller basins.
... As Port Harcourt is the capital city of Rivers State located in the south-south geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The city plays host to so many public and private organizations, including multinational oil companies, and is the sixth-most populous state in Nigeria with a growing population of 5.2 million people [17]. Port Harcourt receives power supply from Afam transmission station via a 132kV double circuit transmission line duly linked to the national grid at Alaoji-Afam transmission station. ...
... To be within limit bus voltages less than 95% are considered under voltage, whereas those above 105% are considered over voltage [18]. (17) Where: V i is the bus voltage magnitude at i th bus; V i sp is the specified (rated) voltage magnitude at i th bus; N B is the number bus in the system. (See Table V, preupgrade voltage divided by base kV multiply by 100 is equal to the pre-upgrade % operating voltage) ...
This paper examined the power flow status of the Port Harcourt Town (Zone 4) distribution networks to improve the performance. The network consists of 18 injection substations fed from 4 different sizes of transformers with a total power rating of 165 MVA, 132/33kV at the Port Harcourt Town sub-transmission substation. Gauss-Seidel power flow method was used to analyse the network in Electrical Transient Analyzer Program (ETAP 12.6) software to determine the various bus operating voltages, power flow, and over or under-loaded Transformers' units. The analysis presented both base-case and post-upgrade network state. From the base-case simulation results obtained, it shows that these injection distribution transformers at (PH Town 106.3%, RSU 90.5%, Marine Base 86.5%, UTC 87.9%, Nzimiro 89.5%, and Borokiri 88.7%) were overloaded on the network and the operating voltages observed for (PH Town 95.1%, RSU 83.0%, Marine Base 83.4%, UTC 82.8%, Nzimiro 85.2%, and Borokiri 82.1%) indicates low voltage profile. However, using network reconfiguration technique as proposed in this paper; there was reduction in the percentage loading of the said Transformers as it was upgraded to affect positively on its lifespan with (PH Town 44.1%, RSU 65.3%, Marine Base 60.7%, UTC 47.3%, Nzimiro 61.3%, and Borokiri 52.0%) loading, and the bus voltage profiles was improved for (PH Town 100%, RSU 98.4%, Marine Base 98.8%, UTC 98.2%, Nzimiro 98.6%, and Borokiri 99.1%) with additional facilities. It is recommended that the power infrastructure facilities in Port Harcourt Town distribution network be proactively upgraded to reduce losses and improve the electricity supply to consumers. Also, in regard to these analyses, the sub-transmission substation requires 240 MW of power for effective power delivery.
... Many households and most of the large industries in Port Harcourt generate their own electricity confirming the World Bank " s estimates that only 41% of Nigeria is electrified [6]. Although the area has a transmission network at 132kV, actual distribution of electricity is through 33kV networks and 33/11kV injection substations, 11kV distribution networks and low voltage networks that supply electricity to the end users. ...
... There are acute power generation, transmission and distribution shortfalls in Port Harcourt. The city currently receives a paltry 200MW out of an estimated actual electricity demand of 803MW [6] and due to this gross shortfall in energy supply, the city experiences frequent power outages forcing many industries and businesses to acquire and operate their own generators to meet their daily demands for uninterrupted electricity supply. The Port Harcourt International Airport,for instance, relies 100 per cent on generators for the running of the airport and uses about 132,000 litres of diesel monthly to power its private generating plants [7]. ...
... In fact, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the National Association of Small Scale Industries (NASSI) say their members spend an average of about N2billion (about $12 million) weekly to generate their own electricity [9] [11]. Experts have projected that the electricity demand by Port Harcourt city alone by 2020 may be as high as 1.93GW, an indication of a possible, very severe and escalating energy shortfall in the nearest future [6].Presently, some businesses, especially the small-scale ones have closed shop and many others are on the ...
Frequent power outages arising from poor state of electricity infrastructure is hindering Nigeria’s socio-economic growth. Port Harcourt is one of the foremost cities in Nigeria where business and social activities are becoming rapidly more dependent on electricity. Any power outage, even of the shortest duration, in Port Harcourt City has severe socio-economic impacts and there is no likelihood that the phenomenon would abate even in the nearest future. This research investigated the causes of incessant power outages in Port Harcourt City and suggested remedial measures to reverse the trend. The researcher relied on data personally collected from primary sources through personal observations, interviews and discussions with residents of the city and from secondary sources such as the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and current scholarly literature relating to this research, over a period of twelve months. The study used a descriptive and the non-parametric simple percentages technique in analysing the data so collected and in drawing conclusions. It was found that inadequate power generating capacity, shortage of gas, weak and dilapidated electrical transmission and distribution network, inadequate power infrastructure facilities, etc. are the chief causes of incessant power outages in the Port Harcourt metropolis. The paper recommends, among others, immediate upgrade of existing power infrastructure facilities, review of government policy on domestic gas supply and stiff statutory legislation on vandalism as measures to stabilise electricity supply in the Port Harcourt City.
... Eleme junction is a busy intersection between the Federal Government East-West Highway and the Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway. This study builds on previous studies on Igbo Etche development challenges by (Okorji, 2005), (Onukwubiri, 2006), (Kakulu, 2007), and recent studies on the implementation of the GPC master plan by (Owei, Ede, Obinna, and Akarolo, 2008), and (Ede, Owei, and Akarolo, 2011) that address the historical pattern of development in the study area and the influence of pipelines. ...
... Eleme junction is a busy intersection between the Federal Government East-West Highway and the Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway. This study builds on previous studies on Igbo Etche development challenges by ( Okorji, 2005), ( Onukwubiri, 2006), ( Kakulu, 2007), and recent studies on the implementation of the GPC master plan by ( Owei, Ede, Obinna, and Akarolo, 2008), and ( Ede, Owei, and Akarolo, 2011) that address the historical pattern of development in the study area and the influence of pipelines. ...
Urban development and re-development processes occur within a complex scenario of locational or economic advantages and constraints which together combine to shape the overall pattern of the physical development and ultimately land value patterns. In oil and gas producing areas, production activities are facilitated by pipeline infrastructure traversing several kilometres and criss-crossing several communities and towns along its path from source through processing to consumption outlets or export terminals. The oil industry generally enjoys wayleaves under various enactments that enable them restrict third party access over such pipelines rights of way but from an urban development perspective, there are potential planning and development challenges arising from pipeline wayleaves which should be taken into consideration in urban design or upgrade. In Nigeria, the launch of the 50-year Greater Port Harcourt City development master plan in 2008, presents an opportunity to review historic development patterns shaped by pipelines wayleaves alongside the potential challenges this will have on the implementation of the new master plan. The study reveals that peri-urban lands severed by pipeline wayleaves exhibit a development pattern similar in shape to a spider's web with isolated pockets of land bounded on all sides by pipelines. It recommends the adaptation of this 'spider's web' phenomenon as a development model that can manage the land use requirements of the Master Plan, in harmony with existing land use pattern and thereby unlock land value potentials.
