As preliminary work begins on the site earmarked for the construction of a refinery by the Dangote Group as well as the springing up of other business ventures in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, prices of land in the area have drastically increased, MAUREEN AZUH writes

The prices of land in Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State have risen considerably since the Dangote Group indicated interest in building a refinery in the area.

Although preliminary work, including clearing of the site, has barely begun, the prices of land in the areas surrounding the Lekki Free Trade Zone have gone up by over 900 per cent.

The Chairman, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, had in 2013 disclosed plans to build a 400,000-barrel-per-day crude oil refinery, and subsequently awarded the contract to an Indian company, Engineers India Limited.

Notwithstanding the presence of other companies in the area, such as Raffle Oil LFTZ Enterprises, Obat Oil, Progress Marine Limited, a shipping company that has also bought hundreds of hectares of land in the area for its tank farm development, Eko Resort and a few others, the proposed refinery is expected to signal the commencement of the multi-billion naira investment in the zone.

At the groundbreaking of the refinery, Governor Babatunde Fashola had said the LFTZ was beginning to take shape with the coming of investors.

Tank farms and major refineries are springing up to service the demands of the country and make room for export. The refineries create a major selling point and release of the opportunities that lie ahead in this zone, create opportunities for the local people and the potential for Lagos and the Nigerian economy, the governor had said.

According to findings by our correspondent, the current opportunity for the local people is coming in the form of the soaring land prices.

Some of the residents said over 3,000 plots of land, stretching from the access road towards the lagoon, were acquired for the Dangote refinery.

An indigene of the area and a resident of Okuraye, Mr. Daniel Adeyanju, who spoke with our correspondent on the development, said some plots of land that were selling between N200,000 and N300,000 before the advent of the refinery, were now going for as much as N3m.

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Dangotes refinery raises LFTZ land value by 900%

Surgical Land Clearing-drone footage of Headland, Al. mulching
Phantom Vision 2 video-Terex PT 110 / Loftness G3 mulcher devouring volunteer oaks and sweet gums.

By: John Pierce

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Surgical Land Clearing-drone footage of Headland, Al. mulching - Video

Surgical Land Clearing-drone footage-mulching 15-20 #39; trees is a breeze
Phantom Vision 2-Terex PT110 forestry/Loftness G3 mulching head has no problem with this volunteer growth.

By: John Pierce

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Surgical Land Clearing-drone footage-mulching 15-20' trees is a breeze - Video

Updated: 5:45 p.m. Thursday, April 24, 2014 | Posted: 4:24 p.m. Thursday, April 24, 2014

By Molly Bloom

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A Gwinnett County judge dismissed Thursday an attempt by Peachtree Corners residents to block the sale of one of the metro areas largest undeveloped tracts of land along the Chattahoochee River.

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Updated every Friday, Mark Arum tells us where we can find construction, events and anything else to slow us down on the roads this weekend.

The states third largest university is on lockdown, officials said. According to an emergency alert on Kennesaw State Universitys website, there is a possible armed man on the campus green.

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Judge dismisses attempt to block sale of Simpsonwood land

Surgical Land Clearing-drone footage in Headland-2
Patrick in action with the Terex PT110 Forrestry/ Loftness G3 mulched.

By: John Pierce

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Surgical Land Clearing-drone footage in Headland-2 - Video

The annual ban on outdoor burning starts May 1 for not just Fayette County but 44 other counties around metro Atlanta.

The ban, which runs through Sept. 30, prohibits citizens and businesses from burning yard and land-clearing debris. It is enacted each year to improve air quality during the summer months, as outdoor burning activities release smoke, oxides and nitrogen into the air which can cause ozone to form.

To obtain a burning permit in unincorporated Fayette County, Brooks, Woolsey and Tyrone before May 1, residents should call the automated burn permit line at 770-305-5468. Developers wishing to burn debris from land clearing before May 1 should call the department at 770-305-5414.

Fayetteville residents must notify the fire department in advance of their outdoor burning plans by calling 770-461-4548, and though the Fayetteville Fire Department does not issue permits, they may deny a request based on prevailing weather conditions.

Peachtree City residents may go online to apply for a residential outdoor burning permit at http://www.ptcgovernment.org/fire/burnpermit. Any Peachtree City residents with questions may call the fire department at 770-631-2526.

In previous years prior to the summertime ban, outdoor burning contributed to unhealthy ozone levels, and the ban has been used to lower those levels during the summertime. Thats because in the summer months, the presence of sunlight reacts with the chemicals emitted by burning to cause more ozone to form, according to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.

While the summertime outdoor burning ban prohibits the burning of yard and land clearing debris, there is a year-round statewide ban on the burning of household garbage, according to EPD.

It is very important for all citizens in Fayette County to follow the burn ban rules and regulations for the health and safety of our citizens during these months, said county Fire Marshal James D. Hall.

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Outside burning ban starts May 1

Premier Colin Barnett and Aboriginal elders with Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation CEO Paul Stenson (centre). Photo: Margaret Bertling

Aboriginal land owners have signed a $20 million deal with the West Australian government, paving the way for the development of a new port and iron ore export route from the Pilbara.

Under the deal, more than 4000 hectares of Ngarluma traditional land 30 kilometres north-east of Karratha will be transformed into a multi-user deepwater port and industrial area expected to move more than 350 million tonnes of iron ore a year.

Coal miner Aquila Resources and American Metals and Coal International want to built the Anketell Port to export iron ore from its planned West Pilbara venture.

The development will offer an alternative export route to Port Hedland and Cape Lambert, which are currently overcrowded, and the federal government expects construction to create more than 4000 jobs.

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The Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation, which represents the original inhabitants of coastal areas around Roebourne, will receive $20 million over nine years under a deal signed this week.

NAC CEO said the development would provide community infrastructure and create jobs for the Ngarluma people.

"The Ngarluma people have negotiated with the state in good faith, recognising the need to provide access for the development of a new port at Anketell, while making our case of the need to maintain our connection to our land, waterways, rivers and seas," NAC chief executive Paul Stenson said.

But waters at the proposed port, which was given environmental approval last year, are home to threatened and migratory species including the endangered blue whale and loggerhead and leatherback turtles.

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Land deal clears way for Anketell Port

LAKKI MARWAT: Shops and makeshift kiosks built on government land in Naurang town here were razed during an anti-encroachment drive on Tuesday.

The operation was launched after traders didnt pay heed to the notices served on them by the local administration to remove encroachments, built on both sides of the GT Road, on their own or face action.

The notices were served to shopkeepers by additional assistant commissioner Yaser Qayyum on the directives of the deputy commissioner Syed Zafar Ali Shah.

Municipal committee workers with the help of heavy machinery demolished dozens of shops and outlets built on the railway land.

Mr Qayyum asked the encroachers to remove debris within 24 hours or the administration would confiscate it. He said encroachers and land grabbers would be dealt with an iron hand.

EARTH DAY CELEBRATED: The local wildlife departments of D.I. Khan and Bannu divisions on Tuesday celebrated the Earth Day with the resolve to launch concerted efforts for conservation of natural resources and protecting the earth from pollution and environmental hazards.

In this connection, separate functions were held wherein students, teachers, conservationists and people from different walks of life participated.

Speaking on the occasion, district forest officer, Dera, Khan Malook said that deforestation, industrialisation and water and air pollution had increased environmental issues on earth, causing problems for human beings. He underlined the need for launching integrated efforts for environmental safety with the cooperation of the masses.

He asked the students and youths to play their role in nature conservation. Students and youths can spread the message of nature conservation by taking part in tree plantation drives, activation of school nature clubs and wildlife safety activities.

Bannu DFO Abdul Halim Marwat highlighted the importance of conserving and protecting the earth through educating people to refrain from cutting trees and clearing land for industrial, agricultural and residential purposes. People should also be educated about harmful effects of poaching and killing wildlife on the natural environment.

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Govt land cleared of encroachments in Lakki - DAWN.COM

Surgical land clearing- mulching sweet gums
Mulching sweet gums-oaks.

By: John Pierce

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Surgical land clearing- mulching sweet gums - Video

SALAMANCA, N.Y. Land clearing began last week in the Quaker area of Allegany State Park for the first of 28 upscale cabins to be constructed under a public/private partnership.

The Empire State Development Corp. has awarded a $420,000 grant toward the $2.1 million cabin project being constructed and operated by ASP Partners LLC., a Bronxville company located in Westchester County, just north of New York City.

Pre-construction activities, including grading, is under way on Parallel Trail in the Quaker area, said Gary Quattrone, Allegany State Park manager. Fourteen full-service cabins, similar to the newer Fancher-style cottages will be constructed on Parallel Trail, where older cabins were demolished last fall.

Construction on another 14 cabins in a meadow along Bova Road in the Red House area will begin sometime in the fall, after completion of the 14 cabins on Parallel Trail. Park forces are not involved in the construction.

The high end cabins will include bathrooms with shower facilities, kitchen, dining room and bedrooms. Reservations will be handled through the state park rental offices; or online at http://www.newyorkparks.reserveamerica.com. Parks maintenance employees will not be responsible for the newer cabins. They can be booked up to nine months in advance, and cost $695 a week, or $173.75 for a night.

They hope to have the Parallel Trail cabins up and running sometime this summer, then go on to Bova, Quattrone said. They are all year-round cabins. The cottage program has been very popular here. The turn-away rate is high. These new cabins will provide more opportunities for our campers who want a different camping experience.

Two years ago, state parks officials sought to combine an attraction that included a zip line, as well as new cabins in a similar public-private partnership. The project did not work out.

The Empire State Development Board approved its $420,000 share at a meeting last Thursday.

The $2.1 million project includes design work and extending utilities to the new cabins, which were described in the Allegany State Park Master Plan adopted a few years ago.

Park officials believe the new cabins will not go vacant. Instead, they should boost overnight visits in Cattaraugus County by increasing the average length of stay, as well as draw more weddings and destination events.

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Land clearing begins for upscale cabins in Allegany State Park