By Michelle J. Nealy THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Six Flags Inc., one of the world's largest theme park operators with 21 properties in North America, is planning to open a theme park in a place where no theme park has gone before: Nigeria.
Six Flags officials hope to open a 250-acre park by 2013 in Calabar, a historic city in Cross River state on Nigeria's southeastern border.
Six Flags already owns two international theme parks, one in Montreal and the other in Mexico City. But Nigeria, which has no large-scale theme parks, is a new frontier.
"We saw Nigeria, a country with a population of more than 140 million people, a rapidly growing middle class and relatively few theme-park options, as a good emerging market to expand Six Flags' global brand," said Andrew Schleimer, executive vice president of strategic development and in-park services for Six Flags.
Six Flags filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June. Its chairman, Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, hired Mark Shapiro as chief executive officer in 2005 to help return the New York company to profitability.
"Shapiro is one of the brightest guys in the industry," said Dennis Speigel, president of International Theme Park Services, a consulting firm in Cincinnati. "Under his leadership, the company has been on the correct reconfiguration path."
However, Mr. Speigel has some doubts about the company's Nigerian venture. "I'm not sure if this announcement brings credibility to Six Flags' table," he said.
Some analysts say Six Flags' plan to build a park in Nigeria may be motivated by market saturation in the places where it operates, suggesting that the company wants to test an untapped market.
"There are already a number of theme parks in parts of Asia, Europe, Australia and parts of the Middle East," Mr. Speigel said.
"It's a worthy cause for Six Flags to spread this type of entertainment, but [Nigeria] is a tough place to do business given the role corruption and government interference play there," he said. "Some parts of the country are having trouble clothing its people. I have to question whether Nigeria is ready for an attraction of this nature."
Nigeria derives about 95 percent of its foreign exchange earnings and 80 percent of its budget revenues from oil production, according to data collected by the CIA. That crucial revenue stream has been threatened by a spate of kidnappings of foreign oil workers by militant groups.
More than 500 people have been kidnapped in Nigeria so far this year, up nearly 70 percent from 2008. Several foreign companies, including Willbros Group Inc., a U.S. oil services contractor, have withdrawn from Nigeria.
Six Flags and Cross River state reached the agreement as another promising business partnership goes awry.
Virgin Nigeria, launched in 2005, recently announced that it was changing its name to Nigerian Eagle Airlines, deepening its fractured relationship with British founder Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. Hopes were high for Virgin Nigeria to establish itself as a safe and credible flagship carrier, but Virgin Atlantic officials have told Reuters that they were looking to sell the company's 49 percent stake in the Nigerian airline, for which it paid about $25 million.
Although development of a Nigerian theme park is still in the early stages, Six Flags officials expressed confidence about the project. "We have certainly done our due diligence," Mr. Schleimer said.
"The first phase of this project is designed to get to know the partners, the lay of the land and to conceptualize the look and feel of the project. The first phase is a fact-finding mission for both parties.
"We are aware of pockets of civil unrest in the country, mainly in the north. So far, we are comfortable with the stability of the region that we are working in," he said.
Once the initial planning phase is complete, Six Flags and the Cross River government will collaborate on the design, construction and management of the park. Construction labor is expected to come from the local population, which will spur economic growth, said Mr. Schleimer, adding that financing probably will be the result of a public-private partnership in which the government pays a portion of the cost. Six Flags would not divulge details of its financing plan.
Despite the global economic downturn, attendance held steady last year at North America's top 20 theme parks, according to a 2008 report by the Themed Entertainment Association.
Abroad, attendance for the top 20 European parks rose 1 percent from 2007 to 2008. Six Flags' Mexico City park was No. 1 in the Latin America market even though it recorded a half-percentage-point drop in attendance.

Sir can you pls tender your evidence?

german007:

Sir can you pls tender your evidence?

Saw it on "Washington Times" today

I see noone is condemming it now because it is to be built by foreigners.

250 ACRES?? That will be GYNOMOUS!!! WOW!! I hope it works out cause that will be the ultimate RECREATION CENTRE in WEST AFRICA for a while

isn't this the same six flags that just declared bankruptcy about a month ago?

they would climb out of bankruptcy on a platter of unrelenting naija customers who would try to use a visit to sixflagpoles as some status thingie AKA it would cost more than the naira equivalent of $60 to get in.

must_a_far:

they would climb out of bankruptcy on a platter of unrelenting naija customers who would try to use a visit to sixflagpoles as some status thingie AKA it would cost more than the naira equivalent of $60 to get in.

abi o.  step aside silverbird cinema, six flag would be the new shakara spot 

for you guys rejoicing. read this o

http://themeparks.about.com/b/2009/06/14/six-flags-great-bankruptcy-adventure.htm

i would not advice them to invest there because looking at the satellite pictures. you must look at where to best place your investment. If you want to make money. Nigerian do not like to travel like they do over here. They would not go all the way to calabar to theme park .

Nigerian dont have the same culture, when the jackson pick badagry, they picked a good location because inbetween lagos and ibadan . there are more than 20 million people that live there. they do not need to travel to visit a place.  

From the start of the badagry project they already have 20 million client waiting to use thier investment.  It would be a successful story. theme park would be a failure like the others nigeria govt have tried in the past. it is any issue of where the people are and what would sell.

If you would set up a business looking for client. Dont wait your money. look for a location, where client would look for you.

In lagos . seller chase away customer, they pick who dey sell to.  too many people. I would go where the client are and not waste my money , looking for client. Ogun state is the best location for a theme park in Nigeria.


If you look at this location in red, that where the redeemed camp is. Many years ago. it was the small dot. many years go.

that is the best location for the theme park. It would out sell itself and would pay back its loan in less than 2 years.

must_a_far:

they would climb out of bankruptcy on a platter of unrelenting naija customers who would try to use a visit to sixflagpoles as some status thingie AKA it would cost more than the naira equivalent of $60 to get in.

Abi ooo!!! Roflmao!!!!  

In lagos . seller chase away customer, they pick who dey sell to

classic advice from becomerich, nairalands warren buffett

becomerich, we would fly down to calabar to visit sixflagpoles. im already scheming how to set up my hotel down the road from its location, add in free shuttle to the airport and the sixflagpoles itself. i would create jobs for the locals population et all. and if the governor dares try to take credit for the jobs i create, him go hear am.

must_a_far:

becomerich, we would fly down to calabar to visit sixflagpoles. im already scheming how to set up my hotel down the road from its location, add in free shuttle to the airport and the sixflagpoles itself. i would create jobs for the locals population et all. and if the governor dares try to take credit for the jobs i create, him go hear am.

;DI would like to be one of your investors or even shareholder 

sure kobojunkie, the rates would be proportional to the entry price to the themepark.

i no understand you one bit

becoomrich:


Nigeria is a mecca for investment, with leaders who are expose to the international community. That why I say I want to be president. I can see what yar adua and his people are doing wrong. Dora akunyili and others have never been exposured to the international community view point and they assume that 1 week visit to londo and new york would be equal to 10 to 20 years or 30 years of people living abroad and seen how thing are wrong. it is not the same.

Fat chance of that ever happening.

^^^^ Dream on brethren .

On second thoughts, what would your presidential campaign slogan be if by hook or crook you are elected to run for presidency?

Here is a few suggestions that might indeed help your cause

1) YES WE MAP

2) A VOTE FOR ME IS A VOTE MAPS.

@love-vendor

Unu go kill person o!

becoomrich:

I was with my children over the weekend in one over here. we had funny really. 


Nigeria govt can tap investment if we have the right leadership.  I look at the satellite picture and what do i see, i see money. I tell you if they listen to me and remove the yorubas, edo, delta and bayelsa into benin republic. In 20 years. Nigeria benin union would be among the 10 strong economy in the world.

Are these real or virtual children you spotted through satellite images?

becomerich has kids?

is he saying he's not eligible for all the female attention?

Calabar is the ideal place for this project.

Calabr is may for you. why would you say that.
Would the theme pack provide the air ticket to calabar ? Then you dont know what a theme park is.

^ bros

you need go back school

i can neer make heads or tails about your posts.

i do see you are infatuated with satellite photos though.

bawomolo:

becomerich has kids?

Are you suggesting that our Area Fada Becomerich ought to have been prevented from reproducing ?

At least we can now rest assured that future generations of Satellite Meisters have ALREADY been born, to perpetuate the legacy long after Becomerich transcends mortality to become one with the cosmos.

De Splash:

Calabar is the ideal place for this project.

true but there needs to be similar projects in other parts of the country.

In the event the country breaks up so I wont be lining up at some embassy just because i want to visit an amusement park.

TPIA

TRUE BUT IM SURE WEN WE BREAK UP, IT'L BE VISA FREE FOR EVERYONE TO EACH COUNTRY, LOL
but for real this country needs to split

german007:

TPIA

TRUE BUT IM SURE WEN WE BREAK UP, IT'L BE VISA FREE FOR EVERYONE TO EACH COUNTRY, LOL
but for real this country needs to split

too much hassle just to get somewhere thats only a few hours away. Not saying i cant go, but they should still build similar things in other parts of the country.

Just in case.

Nigeria, your priorities are seriously out of order. Each day I log on to nairaland, and I'm amazed about the lack of a single major national policy/business breakthrough, to provide or improve BASIC infrastructure for the masses. Instead, I read about delusional goals such as turning some backyard State into Dubai, and Six Flags amusement park.

Sorry, I have to say this -- your leaders are RETARDED!

Abrantie:

Nigeria, your priorities are seriously out of order. Each day I log on to nairaland, and I'm amazed about the lack of a single major national policy/business breakthrough, to provide or improve BASIC infrastructure for the masses. Instead, I read about delusional goals such as turning some backyard State into Dubai, and Six Flags amusement park.

Sorry, I have to say this -- your leaders are RETARDED!

I'm sure you're smarter than everybody you know.

Abrantie:

Nigerians in Ghana don't run shit. 70% of of you are free-loaders, uneducated and opportunistic leeches bent on circumventing our establishment. We shall deal with you accordingly. I'm fucking tired of seeing your broke stinky asses run around my neighborhood, loiter at the internet cafes and try to get fresh with our women. The last Naija cat that whistled at my girl is now toothless and recovering @ 37 Military hospital. Giant of Africa my ass. Ghana is your master, bitches!

The location of this six flags is funny lmfao

These people must not know about Nigeria or the most populous cities, Air ports, ects. . . . . . . . .

good luck to those in that area, if it will create jobs i guess