Construction Project Africa
Construction plant and Transport Operations
The project began in Texas where a small engineering team re-manufactured a 720 ton hydraulic plant formerly used to mass produce single cast concrete buildings in the Middle East but had been idle for many years.
Accompanied by electrical, welding and concrete specialists I re-built the hydraulic systems all of which was completed to plan followed by the transportation of the plant by road to Houston and shipped to Nigeria where the plant was to be commissioned.
Fortunately the plant was in nine sections of about 80 tons each and transportable on the wide Texas roads even if the Nigerian roads and low slung power lines proved to be a little more time consuming. There were over 3600 hydraulic hoses, remotely controlled valve blocks andthousands of feet of hydraulic pipe and joints to be replaced. The chassis and most of the metal structure was retrievable although there were months of welding work to be done in repairs and modifications but the biggest problem was manpower.
Under constyruction in Texas
The gantry to lift out a completed concrete home.
Jason must have taken the picture but here we have (left to Right) Larry, Me, Clay & Rob
Unlike European countries San Antonio Texas had an unemployment rate of less than 1% and it wasn’t easy to get people for short term work. Recent dischargees from the army or the local prison formed the majority of the assembly team but with careful leadership they learned quickly and did a good job. Pre-Commissioning before the plant left the site confirmed the successful refurbishment of the hydraulic and electrical systems.Consisting of 9 mould systems with hydraulic walls and ceilings to release the cast. Door and window blanks were inserted before pouring. Plumbing and wiring looms were installed before pouring concrete leaving only internal fittings to complete a home in just a few hours. The plant was capable of producing nine homes a day by using a steam curtain to accelerate hardening of the concrete. Each casting had locating pegs and sockets making it possible to stack the castings into a low or high rise formation.
The first section loaded and ready for the road
The first section leaving San Antonio for Nigeria
750 horse power pulling the load
Leaving Huston
Arriving at Nigeria
Low overhead power lines in Lagos.
During the shipping phase the team and I went ahead and prepared the 400 hectare site for city development on the Nigerian coast and procured $40m of transport and construction equipment globally.
Mechanics Joshuah & Friday servicing a CAT 348 & CAT 360
The environment in Nigeria can be threatening with nightly armed robbery, car jacking and disease all around.Our American pick up trucks with tinted glass and permanent side lights were stopped daily by armed police and our drivers fined (cash) on the spot for window and lighting infringements introduced to coincide with our arrival ..
Yours truly quenching a thirst on Coconut milk
The fleet of Caterpillar and Mercedes imported into Lagos the nearest port, were fuelled at the fuel station we built as a part of the development. 150 tons of fuel was consumed during set up stage, building materials sourced in neighbouring states continued to arrive after the set up team moved on.
Accused of theft and burned on the spot without trial.
