Kano-Maradi Rail Line  for  Completion in 2025 , Says FG

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

The Minister of Transport, Senator Saidu Alkali has said that the Kano-Maradi Niger Republic International Rail line project will be completed by the year 2025.

Senator Alkali disclosed this yesterday while inspecting the project from Kano through Jigawa and Katsina states.

He said the earthwork of the project has reached the 80 percent completion stage while the real rail line work would soon commence after the earthworks.

“I am in Kano-Maradi now, in continuation of the inspection of all the railway projects across the country. I intend to be in Port Harcourt next week.

“I am impressed with what I have seen. We came from Dawanau to where we are now so that we can have first-hand information of the level of the execution of the project and the compliance with the specifications of the contract,” he said.

“Hopefully, the contractors will meet the set target when you look at the project from Dawanau to where we are. The major part of the work is almost accomplished if you look at the earth clearing and bush clearing, hopefully, they will meet up with the 2025 target.”

On whether the original cost of the project will be readjusted due to the current economic realities, the Minister maintained that “the contractor himself has to make some sacrifice because we want to fix Nigeria. Everybody has to contribute their quota to the development of this country.”

The Lead Contractor, Mr. Vladislav Bystrenko, said the contract was awarded at the sum of $1.95 Billion and that the contractual obligation was also signed around 2021 with the federal government.