Railway

FG awaits funds for Kaduna-Kano, PH-Maiduguri rail projects

Published

3 years ago

November 5, 2021

NASS challenges Amaechi on $1.3bn Kano-Maradi rail

Despite commencing construction on the $1.2bn Kaduna-Kano rail expected to link the running Abuja-Kaduna standard rail line, the Federal Government is yet to receive funds from the Chinese creditor for the project.

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, disclosed this while defending the ministry’s budget before the joint committee of the National Assembly in Abuja just as he said the survey and design of Ibadan-Kano standard gauge line had commenced in preparation for the construction of the line to link the already just completed Lagos-Ibadan rail.

But the minister had trouble convincing the federal legislators on the construction of a standard gauge rail line from Kano to Maradi, Niger Republic, while narrow gauge was still being done in many parts of Nigeria, including South-East.

President Muhammadu Buhari had flagged off the construction work on the Kaduna-Kano standard gauge line three months ago and the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation handling the project was given 18 months to complete the project.

Amaechi told the lawmakers during the budget defence session that his ministry was yet to get money for Kano-Kaduna, Port Harcourt-Maiduguri railway projects, adding, “The only money we have got is $1.4bn for Lagos-Ibadan rail project.”

The minister also said, “The construction of Kaduna-Kano railway to link up with the Abuja-Kaduna rail line has commenced. Survey and design for Ibadan-Minna-Abuja is ongoing; (we are starting the) construction of the 284 kilometres Nigeria-Maradi (Niger Republic) standard gauged, rail line enabling interconnectivity with countries in the West Africa sub region for the promotion of trade and commerce.

“This important contribution by Nigeria would be mutually beneficial by adding to the economic growth of the two countries, Niger and Nigeria.”

But responding to the minister’s submission, the Chairman of Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Danjuma Goje, and his House of Representatives counterpart, Pat Azadu, kicked against what they called the marginalisation of other regions of the country in the construction of rail lines.

They told the minister of the need to construct uniform rail lines across the country instead of giving Kano-Maradi modern rail line and constructing old rail line to other regions.

Asadu questioned the rationale for constructing modern rail line for one place and constructing old rail lines to other parts of the country .

He said, “Why won’t you construct narrow gauge across the country so that we can develop equally. I can’t sit down and approve this. These are done with such impunity; my heart bleeds. This has been reoccurring.”

Senator Goje also supported Asadu, He said, “Why will you give us old rail line and spend a lot of money on standard gauge to Maradi? I completely concur with the statement of Honorable member in the House of Representatives.”

Ameachi, while responding to issues raised said that the difference between the narrow gauge and standard gauge is speed.

According to him, the negotiation for loan for the construction of Kano-Maradi standard gauge line is about to be completed, adding that the $1.3bn Kano-Maradi rail project was not based on sentiments but economic benefits for the country.

He said on completion of Kano-Maradi and Kano to Lagos railway, all national cargoes from Niger Republic, like uranium and gold, would be moved through Nigerian sea port from that corridor.

This, he said, would translate into huge economic benefits for Nigeria.

“What I will do before leaving office is to ensure that we move from verbal agreement with the government of Niger to written agreement,” he added.

Related Topics:Amaechi Featured NASS rail projects

Up Next

Breaking: Reprive as railway workers call off strike

Don't Miss

As Abuja-Kaduna train resumes, NRC gives passengers Nov 6 for unused tickets

Railway

NRC increases trips on Abuja-Kaduna route from four to six

Published

18 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Trends Admin

NRC increases trips on Abuja-Kaduna route from four to six

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced an increase in the number of trains on its Abuja-Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) route in response to rising demand based on its customer feedback.

A statement signed by the NRC Deputy Director of Public Relations, Yakub Mahmood, on Wednesday, said the number of trains had been increased to six from four, running Monday to Friday during peak periods.

This development, it added, aimed to enhance customer satisfaction by making commuting more convenient and accessible on the route as well as tackling complaints of ticket racketeering.

The statement quoted the acting Managing Director of the NRC, Ben Iloanusi, as saying that a five-month trend analysis revealed a 22 per cent increase in new passengers registering on the ticketing platform for the Abuja-Kaduna route.

The surge, he said, showed a growing preference among Nigerians for train travel as a comfortable, reliable, and safe commuting option.

The statement read, “The Nigerian Railway Corporation, reaffirming its commitment to responding to customer demands, improving customer satisfaction, and tackling complaints of ticket racketeering, has increased the number of train services from four to six from Monday to Friday when demand tends to peak on its AKTS route.”

The NRC also noted that similar trends had been observed on the Lagos-Ibadan, Warri-Itakpe, and Port Harcourt-Aba routes, with efforts already underway to enhance services along these routes as well.

The acting MD assured Nigerians of the increased presence of NRC senior management across all train service routes to drive continuous efficiency and tackle the issue of ticket racketeering head-on.

“Our valued customers are encouraged to use NRC ticket platforms online to take advantage of the increased services and avoid patronising ticket racketeers.

“Additional information can be obtained from the NRC website, www.nrc.gov.ng,” it stated.

The expanded services on the Abuja-Kaduna route, it said, followed similar enhancements on the Lagos-Ibadan route, which now includes additional trips on Fridays and Saturdays to accommodate increasing demand.

Railway

Nigerian railway adds extra train to Friday, Saturday trips on Lagos-Ibadan route

Published

2 days ago

November 12, 2024

Trends Admin

Nigerian railway adds extra train to Friday, Saturday trips on Lagos-Ibadan route

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced the introduction of additional train trips on its Lagos-Ibadan Train Service (LITS) route, exclusively for Fridays and Saturdays.

This initiative increases weekend trips from two to three, offering commuters greater travel flexibility.

The announcement, made via the NRC’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, revealed that the new Lagos-to-Ibadan trip will depart at 1:40 pm, complementing the existing schedules of 7:45 am and 4:00 pm.

For the Ibadan-to-Lagos route, the additional trip is set for 10:50 am, joining the regular departures at 8:00 am and 4:30 pm.

Nigerian railway adds extra train to Friday, Saturday trips on Lagos-Ibadan route

Railway

Nigeria gets $350m AfDB facility for Kano-Maradi rail project

Published

2 weeks ago

October 28, 2024

Trends Admin

Nigeria gets $350m AfDB facility for Kano-Maradi rail project

The Federal Government of Nigeria has secured $350 million from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to fund the construction of the Kano-Maradi rail project, which will connect Kano to Maradi in Niger Republic.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Land Transport, Senator Adamu Aliero, made this disclosure on Monday during an oversight visit to the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) headquarters in Lagos, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Aliero stated that the Kano-Maradi rail project is part of the government’s broader efforts to modernize Nigeria’s railway network and enhance regional trade links.