Kano-Maradi Railway Project will Benefit Connecting Communities, Says

Environmental Expert

Attahiru Bala Usman, an environmental expert, has assured that the ongoing Kano-Maradi railway project by the federal government has economic benefits first to the connecting communities and Nigeria’s overall economy as a country.

Mr Usman, Managing Director of Allott Consulting Nigeria Limited, the firm carrying out the environmental and social impact assessment of the Kano-Maradi project, said this during a recent site verification exercise to inspect the routes of the rail project.

“The environmental and social impact assessment will ensure sustainable development that improves the quality of life of present population without compromising the environmental and social conditions of the present and future populations of the affected areas,” Usman said.

The 284km standard gauge railway line, planned to have 15 stations, traverses Kano-Dambatta-Kazaure-Daura-Mashi-katsina-Jibiya-Maradi and has been designed to pass close to major cities, towns and villages.

The 15 stations comprise two main stations in Kano and Katsina, three medium stations in Kazaure, Daura and Jibiya, three small stations in Shagalle, Dambatta and Mashi, with other Halt stations at the Airport, Kunya Dube, Muduru, Daddara, Anoal Mata and Maradi.

Upon completion, Usman said the Kano-Maradi railway project would facilitate public transportation, stimulate the development of the agricultural economy, manufacturing industries along the corridor and reduce the cost.

Indicating the importance of the project to the local communities and Nigeria’s economy, he said all international and local environmental regulations mandated for the project are expected to be complied with by contractor Mota-Engil Nigeria Limited.