Nigeria: Buhari Flags Off $1.2bn Kaduna-Kano Rail Line

By Dirisu Yakubu

President Muhammadu Buhari, Thursday, performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the Kaduna-Kano standard gauge rail line, in Zawacikin, a suburb of the ancient city of Kano.

President Buhari who was brought to Zawacikin by a Nigerian Air Force helicopter marked NAF 540 was received by the Kano state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.

In his address, the President noted that the take-off of construction activities on the corridor represents the commitment of his administration in the revival of Nigerian railway system, to reduce the deficiency in the nation's transportation infrastructure and "drive effective and more efficient transportation of passengers and freight within the country."

According to him, "the ground breaking ceremony for Kano - Kaduna segment of the Lagos - Kano railway modernization project signifies an important milestone of the construction of the third segment, having completed and commenced commercial operation on the first segment Abuja - Kaduna and recently the second segment Lagos - Ibadan.

"This project is crucial to the establishment of a supply chain in railway transport within its corridor, Kano - Kaduna - Abuja, as it links the major commercial cities of Kano and Kaduna to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja."

He noted that upon completion, "the Kaduna - Kano railway project is to link the Lagos - Ibadan railway project via Abuja, Minna, Ilorin, Oshogbo, Ibadan to Lagos on one end, and Maradi, Niger Republic on the other."

He continued: "This railway connection when completed will establish the ports in Lagos, as the choice for import and export business of the people of landlocked Niger Republic. This would positively drive our economies through employment from new business opportunities and wealth creation.

"The Federal Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Finance are working to engage co-financiers to conclude financial agreements to partner with the federal government for the development of the Ibadan - Kano line and to further increase the bankability of the project.

"The railway line will be linked to the second Port in Lagos, the Tin Can Island Port. It is also expected that the Inland Dry Port on these routes will be activated and the ports can now receive imports directly from the international market as ports of destination such as the Ibadan, Kaduna and Kano Inland Dry Ports."

On his part, Amaechi thanked the President for physically coming to Kano to perform the flag-off of the 203km rail line, which is expected to transverse Kaduna, Zaria and Kano cities, with three major stations for passengers and freight services.

Amaechi who couldn't hide his joy stressed the importance of the corridor this way:

"This project will link Abuja with the commercial city of Kano and also link the ongoing Kano - Maradi project. The outstanding addendum, Ibadan - Abuja, will link the Sea Ports in Lagos to Maradi, Niger Republic.

"This I believe will greatly boost trade between the two countries and foster economic development. This railway line, will present an opportunity for Nigerians to traverse between Abuja and Kano via Kaduna with relative ease.

"The project will no doubt improve the standard of living of citizens within its corridor, create employment and promote trade. In the long term the railway will help decongest the Lagos Port Complex and increase its efficiency as well as further increase the viability of the Inland Dry Ports located in Ibadan, Kaduna and Kano.

"The rail line is also provided with accessories and special installations including power and water supply schemes, signalling system and communication in GSM-R, freight yards, rolling stock depots and maintenance workshops," he said.

Amidst frequent rounds of applause, the Minister told the elated audience that the Ministry is set to begin the construction of the remaining addendum along the Ibadan - Abuja corridor to complete the entire stretch of the Lagos - Kano railway modernization project, "the first of the modernization project in the 25-Year Strategic Vision Plan of the federal government to revitalize our hitherto moribund railway transport subsector."

Vanguard reports that the $1.2 billion project will be funded from the Federal Ministry of Transportation's 2021 budgetary allocation, owing to delay in getting the expected loan facility from China.

It would be recalled that Amaechi recently told State House Correspondents that already, the sum of $218 million has been paid to the contractors handling the project, with another $100 million ready for disbursement thus bringing the total to $318 million.

The ceremony was witnessed by eminent personalities including governors of Kano and Plateau states, the Emir of Kano Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero and Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamali among others.

This article originally appeared on Vanguard

Photo: Pixabay