Work to begin on Kano-Maradi railway Jan 2021

Construction work will commence on $1.9bn rail line that will link Kano with Maradi in Niger Republic, the Federal Government has said.

This is coming after the contractor handling the project has been given the go-ahead to acquire the right of way for the new line.

Already, the government has ordered payment of compensation to people whose land and other property will be affected by the construction of the new rail line. The Federal Executive Council had last month approved the disbursement of $1.96bn for the railway project.

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who confirmed the payment of compensation, said this would ensure that the commencement of construction work in January 2021 without any inhibition.

Amaechi said, “Kano-Maradi is at the stage of loan negotiation. In fact, we are fast-tracking them (the Chinese), they are doing front engineering now even before the loan; we are insisting on that.

“We believe that the front engineering should end before January and we should be able to start construction before then.

“We have told them to start acquiring the right of way; pay compensation and start clearing the right of way so that they be ready when the front engineering is over.”

Some people and groups have criticised the extension of railway to Niger Republic while many major states in Nigeria are yet to have the facility.

But the minister has risen in defence of the project, saying it will afford the country the opportunity to compete in the area of transporting cargoes and services to and from landlocked neighbouring countries like Niger via the seaports in Lagos, adding that it is all about economy, not politics.

The new rail line will from Kano link Jigawa, Katsina, Jibia to Maradi in Niger Republic.

Specifically, media aide to the President, Ajuri Ngelale, said, “The rail line will connect three states: Kano, Katsina and Jigawa. It moves from Kano to Dambatta, Kazaure, Daura, Mashi, Katsina, terminating in Maradi, Niger Republic. This financially empowers Nigeria as the import/export hub for Niger.”