Firm Mulls Transforming Abuja Into Automated Smart City

The dream to turn Nigeria’s Capital, Abuja, into a Smart City, will soon be a reality.

This is because July 2024 has been set aside to launch the Abuja Smart City Road Map project.

Chief Executive officer, Havel Corporate Concept, Dr Ahmed Badanga, who made this known during a briefing in Abuja, said the project will transform the Metropolis into a Smart City where residents can access all services easily with Smart Cards.

He noted that the project is envisioned to build on already existing infrastructure, to transit into a Smart City by adopting local content and an indigenous based customer support system that relies on technology, such as WiFi, the internet, voice services, fiber optic infrastructure among others.

Dr Badanga explained that the initiative was conceived and set for unveiling in 2021 but was disrupted by the post COVID 19 pandemic.

He said after the launch of the project, a campaign and training of residents to become Smart people who can access Smart services, will begin towards encouraging people to embrace the initiative.

“This campaign is a critical component of this project because our concept is anchored on three tripods: SMART PEOPLE- SMART SERVICES- SMART CITY”.

According to Badanga, the initiative will help in deploying data and technology to render services that will make governance, transport, tourism, health, business and homes smarter.

Badanga explained that the project will focus on Public Private Partnership, PPP, with the FCT Administration and other relevant stakeholders to introduce, launch and produce a multi purpose smart card for Abuja residents that combines biometrics identification database with other functionalities and benefits.

“Our aim is to transform Abuja City into a smarter, faster, and reliable solution service provider, a city where technology meets hospitality with innovation for human betterment. A redefined Abuja City where services are rendered smartly by unlocking the potential of the city that allows people to live, explore, work with ease and relax in a more pleasant way that aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goal .

“Our model is aimed at transiting the current existing Abuja to a Smart City, instead of acquiring an entire new space or land for the purpose of building a new smart city like the Kwara state government which acquired about 20,065 hectares of land to build a smart city.This our idea sets us apart from the Abuja Centenary City Project, the famous Land Swap Initiative by FCT.

“The project is an initiative of Havel Corporate Concept, an affiliate of iosafe Nigeria with the aim of collaborating with various stakeholders particularly the FCT Administration to transform Abuja to a smart city where every service will be at your finger-tip.” Badanga said.

Explaining further, Dr Badanga said the Abuja smart city planning tactics, model & strategy, approach, concept, vision and solutions were informed directly by the needs, desires, expectations, that centered on the people.

He added that the proposed card would have basic feature of an e-payment wallet infrastructure with biometric -based identity cards that provides the Abuja resident cardholder benefits in terms of security, financial services, mobility and access to government services and amenities.

“Many global capitals around the world are competing to outsmart in creating new envisioned cities with one major objective: To stand out.” Badanga noted.

He added that the Minister of FCT as the Chief Host will formally Launch the Abuja Smart City Campaign, unveil the prototype of the proposed Abuja Smart Resident Card, as well as inaugurate the Technical Team and Partners that will support and collaborate with Havel Corporate Concept Limited to translate the dreams of bringing Abuja Smart City to reality.

“This historic project and event will no doubt create a lot of impact that will change the face of FCT, create employment, and increase investment, with unquantifiable value addition to transform the lives of the residents of the FCT for improved efficiency and service delivery that aligns with other emerging smart cities around the world.” Badanga assured.

Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji