Amaechi: Kano-Kaduna Rail Lines to Boost Trade, Improve Standard of Living along Corridor

By Kasim Sumaina

The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Thursday hinted that the proposed Kano-Kaduna railway project will greatly boost trade and present an opportunity for Nigerians to traverse between Abuja and Kano via Kaduna with relative ease.

Amaechi, while making his remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony of the project at Zawaciki, Kudu Local Government Area of Kano State, stated that the project is part of the third and outstanding segment of the Lagos – Kano railway modernisation project.

He noted that the first segment, Abuja – Kaduna railway line, was flagged off for commercial operation in July 2016 and just recently, the second segment, Lagos – Ibadan railway line, was commissioned for commercial operation precisely on June 10, 2021.

According to him, “Succinctly speaking, having delivered Abuja – Kaduna and Lagos – Ibadan Railway Project, the remaining stretch of Ibadan – Kano, which traverses Oyo, Osun, Kwara, Niger, Abuja, Kaduna and Kano – has been segmented as follows: Kaduna – Kano segment, Ibadan – Minna segment Minna – Abuja segment.”

He said that the scope of the railway project involves a 203.8km double track standard gauge railway from Kano to Kaduna. The railway along this route traverses the major cities of Kaduna, Zaria and Kano with three railway stations both for passenger and freight services at Rigachukun, Zaria and Kano with varying capacities and categories.

“This project will link the Federal Capital, 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,” he said.

Amaechi added that the project will no doubt improve the standard of living of citizens within the corridor, create employment and promote trade.

He said: “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.”

He further stated that the rail line is also provided with accessories and special installations including power and water supply schemes, signalling system & communication in GSM-R, freight yards, rolling stock depots and maintenance workshops.

“I am pleased to inform you that the ministry is finalising plans to commence construction of the remaining addendum; Ibadan – Abuja 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.

“The Federal Ministry of Transportation will continue to work assiduously in line with Mr. President’s directives, to implement all the corridors within the Nigeria Railway Modernization Project and progressively expand the railway network.

“Mr. President, your administration has exhibited strong will in driving the overhaul of our railway system through your intervention and support. The ministry remains committed to your vision for a strong and sustainable railway transportation backbone to engender and facilitate a new path to positive economic transformation of the country,” the minister said.

Amaechi however thanked Messrs. China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) Nigeria Limited, the project contractor, for their professionalism and astuteness in the construction of the railway infrastructure; Messrs. TEAM Nigeria Limited for their supervisory role
during the course of construction and indeed all the partners of the project.