387km Kano-Maradi railway project reaches 60% completion – Minister

The Minister of Transportation, Mr Said Alkali, says the 387-kilometre Kano-Maradi railway project has reached 60 per cent completion stage.

Alkali made the declaration in his remarks at the second International Railway Conference on Monday in Abuja.

According to him, the Federal Government has extended the project to Dutse in Jigawa.

“387km Kano-Maradi with extension to Dutse has been advanced from five per cent to 60 per cent. Also, accelerated execution of the 203km Kaduna-Kano ongoing rail modernisation project moved from 15 per cent at the inception of this administration to 53 per cent.

“While the Kaduna-Kano project will be ready for completion and commissioning by December 2026, the Kano-Maradi project will reach Katsina by December this year and be ready for completion and commissioning by March 2027.

“Rehabilitation of Lagos-Kano old narrow gauge for freight of goods from the seaport, connecting to Dala Inland Dry Port, will be successfully completed and put to use,” he said.

The minister said the Federal Executive Council recently approved construction of one modern “One-Bus Terminal” in each geopolitical zone of the country.

According to him, the bus terminals will be situated at Abeokuta (South West), Onitsha (South East), Warri, (South-South), Lokoja (North Central), Kano (North West) and Gombe (North East).

He stated that the development would enhance efficiency, public safety and ensure the welfare of passengers.

The minister said the conference sought to assemble railway experts, industry players and other stakeholders to share knowledge and experience across jurisdictions on emerging trends.

“This is to facilitate funding opportunities and prospects of railway services as a catalyst for national development.

Read Also: Reps summon minister within 48 hours over Abuja/Kaduna train derailment

“The discussion will maximise the potential of the railway sub-sector as a viable option for boosting commerce through geographical mobility and general economic growth through connectivity and collaborations.

“I am glad to inform you that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration has accorded special priority to transportation in recognition of transportation as gateway to nation’s economy,” he noted.

The minister said the recent introduction of dual-fuel locomotive technology flagged off on Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor would enhance operational cost effectiveness.

According to him, the federal government‘s financial support for the establishment of light rail by states began with Kaduna, Kano and Ogun to enhance public transportation and economic productivity in the affected states and the country in general.

Contributing, Mr Samuel Uko, the Chief Executive Officer of De-Sadel Consortium, commended the federal government for approving high speed rail project in the country.

He revealed that Nigeria would  be the world`s second-largest high speed rail network at the completion of the project.

Uko added that the project would create two million direct and indirect jobs for the Nigerian public.

Mr George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), said the ongoing project would attract foreign investment, thereby boosting the nation’s infrastructural development and revenue generation profile.

He affirmed that the policy would be strengthen toward laying the foundation for future development of land transportation in Nigeria. (NAN)