Request for Expression of Interest in the Development of Ogbunike Cave Resort at the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism

The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (the Ministry) in association with the Anambra State Investment Promotion & Protection Agency (ANSIPPA) and the Anambra State Government (ANSG) is inviting suitably qualified firms to submit an Expression of Interest (Eol) in developing the “Ogbunike Cave’ site in Oyi Local Government of the State into a world class resort facility to be known as the “Ogbunike Cave Resort” The over arching objective is to improve the State’s tourism offering through the development of a large capacity resort with modern’tacilities and other amenities; add quality jobs to the State’s workforce; and create opportunities for indigenes to participate in the project development and operation; and contribute to ANSG’s long term economic growth.

Request for Expression of Interest in the Development of Ogbunike Cave Resort at the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism

Brief Background
The Ogbunike Cave, listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as a World Heritage Site, is situated in a valley with tropical rain forest behind the “Ogba” hills. The main cave consists of a massive structure with a big open chamber of about 5m high, 1 Urn wide and 30m long at the entrance. There are ten interconnecting sandstone tunnels at the main chamber leading to different directions. Within the tunnels are big chambers and other tunnels of varying lengths. There are streams and body of water at various places. A stream flows out from one of the tunnels into a rapid flowing river (River Nkissa). At the meeting point of the river and the stream one can feel the warm water from the caves and the cold river water.

The immediate environment of the caves up to about 200 meters radius is a thick tropical rainforest type of vegetation. Among the fauna of the site are deer, antelope, grass cutter, porcupine, rabbit, alligator, snakes and frogs. Others are fish, crabs and birds. Ogbunike Caves are associated with living traditions and are said to be used by the people for many centuries. The site still retains its historical and spiritual significance. There is an annual festival called “Ime Ogbe” celebrated in commemoration of the discovery of the caves. The biodiversity of the site has remained almost intact. The integrity of the site can be attested to by the presence of the primary forests around the caves.

Regarded as a natural wonder and rich in history and tradition, this network of interconnecting sandstone chambers, tunnels and streams have provided great enjoyment and adventurous entertainment to all its visitors. They rank high in the list of the State’s many tourist attractions as well as Nigeria as a whole.

Project Scope
Firms will be allowed the full opportunity to be innovative in developing the Ogbunike Cave Resort site into a facility that meets global industry standards. The Expression of Interest should consider that ANSG is desirous of the following in relation to the Resort project:

1. Proposals by firms desirous of developing, financing and operating the Resort which sits on a 100-hectare land already acquired by the State;
2. World-Class hotel/Resort rating minimum of four-star and above, with recognizable and consistently high standards in service and ame nities which will enhance ANSG’s reputation as a preeminent business and leisure tourism destination;
3. Current or proposed affiliation with a successful ‘branded” hotelier in the industry;
4. Rooms count at least equal to, but preferably exceeding 100 standard rooms;
5. Modern amenities for target guests comprising both leisure and business travellers;
6. An outdoor theme park and film village;
7. Proposal to fully explore and develop the immediate access to and inside the cave without destroying the fauna and flora of the cave;
8. Modern conference facilities capable of accommodating up to 500 delegates; and
9. The proposed development should complement the attributes of the extant natural and surrounding areas of the cave.

Expression of Interest
Expression of Interest may be submitted by a company or in a consortium with other companies. If the Expression of Interest is from a consortium of companies, information on all companies making up the consortium must be provided, It must be indicated clearly which company is lead of the consortium. The process of participating in the Project and the requirements relating to information to be provided by interested parties when submitting the Eol is set out in the ensuing sections.

Filing Guidelines

• The Eol may be submitted by domestic or foreign incorporated entities as a sole bidder or as part of a consortium for the development of the Ogbunike Cave Resort (subject to the terms and conditions specified and any other subsequent additions and modifications thereof);
• If a consortium is formed, or proposed to be formed specifically for the purpose of this investment, details of the members of the consortium and the extent of their interest herein must be provided in the Eol package; and
• Any change by way of withdrawal/substitution/inclusion of any member of the consortium or any change affecting the composition of the consortium may be permitted but only with the proper and adequate notification made to the Ministry and ANSIPPA

Prequalification Filing Requirements
Interested parties must submit the Expression of Interest package in ten (10) hard copies as described herein. The package should comprise of the following:

1. Full contact information of the investor/developer/company/consortium members;
2. Where the investor will not be the developer or operator of the Resort, details of the key entities that will be involved in the proposed development (developer, managers and operators);
3. Detailed corporate profile of the investor/developer/company/consortium members;
4. Evidence of payment of tax for the last three (3) years as at when due via issuance of tax certificates;
5. Evidence of VAT registration and remittance and compliance with Pensions Act (where applicable);
6. Summary evidence of a proven track record in handling similar PPP projects, impeccable reputation, success, qualifications and experience in the hospitality industry;
7. Schematic design and conceptual rendering illustrating the proposed development as well as key elements of the resort project including services and amenities;
8. Business Plan that includes but not limited to:

• Narrative description of the proposed development, which takes account of the matters outlined in the project scope above;
• Estimate of the project development budget, and evidence of the company/consortium’s financial capacity to undertake such a project. Submissions should include copies of audited financial statements of the investors/developers and other consortium members (where available) covering its past three (3) financial years/periods. Detailed financing/funding models, budgeting, and assumptions may be required at later stages in the process;
• Evidence of financing capacity;
• Proposed management team, organisational chart, with CVs of key personnel to be deployed on the Project;
• Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Policy;
• Details of the proposed tentative development timeline; and
• Any information that the company/person(s)/consortium considers appropriate to provide Anambra State Government with a better understanding of its proposal.

Other Conditions

1. The Ministry and ANSIPPA reserve the right to accept or reject all Eols without assigning any reason and it is not obliged to correspond with the applicants in this regards. Further, the Ministry and ANSIPPA reserves the right to change and/or cancel this process or review/revise the details herein at any time without notice or without assigning any reasons whatsoever and without prejudice to its right to re-issue a new Request for Expression of Interest at any time in the future and in such case no company/consortium making submissions shall have any claim arising out of such action;
2. The Ministry and ANSIPPA reserve the right to invite responses from the applicants by issue of an addendum, at any stage, without liability or any obligation for such invitation and without assigning any reason. This request for Eol does not give rise to any rights and is not an offer or an invitation to offer;
3. The Ministry and ANSIPPA by this process, does not intend to assume any legal obligation whatsoever, including any binding relationship of any kind, with any applicant, nor will ANSG accept any liability howsoever arising, in relation thereto. By this document, applicants are so informed, and unconditionally acknowledge that they are fully aware that through an expression of interest, no entitlement whatsoever vests, or will vest in them;
4. Participation by any party in this Eol pursuant to the invitation by the Ministry and ANSIPPA shall be considered to be an acceptance of all the terms and conditions of this invitation by such participant and no claims or disputes raised by it during or subsequent to the award process shall be entertained by the Ministry and ANSIPPA;
5. All documents and other information supplied by the Ministry or submitted by an applicant to the Ministry shall remain or become the property of the Ministry and ANSIPPA. The Ministry and ANSIPPA will not return any application or any information provided along therewith;
6. Scope of the requirement and qualification criteria may be modified at Request for Proposal (RFP) Stage;
7. A non-refundable processing fee bank draft of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) made out to Anambra State Investment Promotion & Protection Agency; and
8. The Applicants shall bear all costs associated with the preparation and submission of its Eol. The Ministry and ANSIPPA will in no case be responsible or liable for these costs, regardless of the outcome of the Eol process.

Closing Date:
25th August 2014

Submissions
All submissions of the Expression of Interest should be in sealed envelopes clearly marked “Expression of Interest in the Development of Ogbunike Cave Resort” addressed to:

The Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism,
Jerome Udoji Secretariat Complex,
Awka, Anambra State

The Eols should reach the above address within the closing date. The Ministry and ANSIPPA will not be responsible for the loss or non-receipt or delay in receipt of any Expression of Interest application sent by post or courier.