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

• 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.