RELAUNCH: over 70 interested workers attend Brick Factory kick-off meeting

Both men and women came for information about working at the Anam Bricks factory

Now that the flood has receded, the Anam Development Company held an open meeting on Friday at the Bricks Factory in Anam New City to launch a new work season. A free boat left Otuocha in the morning bringing many people, while others walked or rode okada to the event from nearby towns of: (1) Iyora, (2) Umueze Anam, (3) Aboegbu, (4) Otuocha, (5) Nmiata, and (6) Ebenebe.

A total of 72 people were present at the meeting, including 55 men and 17 women, joined by several elders in the community. It was very positive to see such a large showing of people with an interest in contributing to the progress of the new face of Anam. Among this number there were 13 trained workers who received a certification from the Auroville Earth Institute in the technique of making bricks from the local atachikpa and laterite earth.  During the event, three of these trained workers were recognized for their outstanding commitment to the Anam City project since the training in March 2011.

Trained workers discussing their plans for forming work teams

After discussing the importance of the entire City project and the role of local brick production, many other issues were brought up regarding ways to move the brick factory forward.  There was a special interest by all in knowing when the brick making work will commence, as many people are very eager to start working there. Several applicants also asked when there could be another training at the factory.

The creative operating model of the Anam Bricks was also explained and discussed by the group.  Each trained brick factory worker will lead a team of 6-10 people, and be paid as a team by the number of bricks they can produce.  It is currently estimated that one team can make 1,000 bricks in a day on a single machine.  The factory also requires that each team include at least one female worker so that they can also have a fair chance at the work and learning new skills.   The team-based model will also allow the workers to have flexibility so that they can still continue other part-time occupations, such as farming or fishing.

An applicant asks a question about working in the Bricks Factory

Brick production will begin in early December 2011.

Anam Brick Factory maintains a list of prospective workers and trainees; if you would like to be added and contacted via SMS regarding updates on job or training opportunities, please contact Brick Factory Coordinator Ayodele on 07086139095.

Blog Post by Ayodele Eneji, Brick Factory Coordinator

Brick factory employment form

New Satellite Imagery Captures Anam From Space

New satellite imagery has been acquired for the project area and surrounding Anam communities.  The high-resolution aerial photography, acquired through advanced imaging sensors in space, allows us to visualize the existing conditions in Anam (man-made and natural features, watersheds and agriculture).  The processed image with detailed terrain surface elevation data will also facilitate hydrological analysis, urban design modeling in three dimensions and the ability to georeference new buildings and infrastructures as they are being built, supporting legibility and navigability in the new city.

 

Project Team Presents to Anam Community

Community Presentation

The project team travelled from the headquarters in Accra, Ghana to the future Anam City site in Anambra State, Nigeria this week to present developments in the new city project.

Led by Dr. & Mrs. Chife, the first community presentation was in Igbo & English and detailed the preliminary research and sustainability analysis (SWOT) to the community and Elders.

The presentation took place in Otuocha and was attended by over 100 members mainly of the Umuoba Anam community in the local illu (public square).  The attendants, which included the full spectrum of residents from young children to Elders, men and women, received the presentation with interest and enthusiasm.  The Elders in particular communicated their eagerness to see the project move forward as soon as possible following several months of discussion.

In addition to continued site surveying on the first phase site (Ebenebe), the team also traveled to surrounding settlements in the region to meet with the elders and members of other Anam communities in order to promote a city-regional development program and continued partnerships.

Anam City Regional Map

Ebenebe