Transport Minister, Said Alkali, explained that the on-going 387km Kano-Maradi railway project has reached 60 per cent as an extension now covers Dutse in Jigawa State.
In the second International Railway Conference in Abuja on Monday, Alkali also explained that the 203km Kaduna-Kano rail modernization project is 53 per cent complete, up from 15 per cent when the current administration began.
“387km Kano-Maradi with extension to Dutse has advanced from five per cent to 60 per cent. Moreover, accelerated completion of the 203km Kaduna-Kano ongoing rail modernisation improved from 15 per cent at the start of this administration to 53 per cent,” he stated.
He explained that the Kaduna-Kano line is scheduled to be ready and commissioned by December 2026, while the Kano-Maradi project will reach as far as Katsina by December 2025 and completed entirely in March 2027.
The minister also confirmed that rehabilitation of the Lagos-Kano narrow-gauge railway is ongoing to boost the transport of freight from seaports and link to the Dala Inland Dry Port in Kano.
In addition, Alkali revealed that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has just approved the construction of modern bus terminals across all the six geopolitical zones. The terminals would be located in Abeokuta (South-West), Onitsha (South-East), Warri (South-South), Lokoja (North-Central), Kano (North-West), and Gombe (North-East).
He added the step would enhance efficiency, improve passenger safety, and improve public welfare.
Also in attendance at the conference was Samuel Uko, CEO of De-Sadel Consortium, who praised the government for its high-speed rail development support. In his words, upon construction, Nigeria would possess the second-largest high-speed rail system globally, with two million direct and indirect jobs expected to be created.
