By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Rail transport is an economic driver which infrastructure remains one of the greatest priority areas of the federal government, President Muhammadu Buhari reiterated at the ground breaking ceremony of the Kaduna-Kano rail line.
The line, a segment of the Lagos-Kano railway modernisation project, also connects the Lagos-Ibadan section which Buhari launched on June 10 and is expected to yield N2.2 billion to the treasury yearly.
He said at the ceremony in Kano that the beginning of the construction of the Kaduna-Kano segment shows government’s commitment to revive the railway system.
He announced that the event “signifies an important milestone of the construction of the third segment, having completed and commenced commercial operation on the first segment Abuja–Kaduna and recently the second segment, Lagos-Ibadan.
”This project is crucial to the establishment of a supply chain in railway transport within its corridor, Kano-Kaduna-Abuja, as it links the major commercial cities of Kano and Kaduna to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
”Upon completion, the Kaduna-Kano railway project is to link the Lagos-Ibadan railway project via Abuja, Minna, Ilorin, Oshogbo, Ibadan to Lagos on one end, and Maradi, Niger Republic on the other.
”This railway connection, when completed, will establish the ports in Lagos as the choice for import and export business of the people of landlocked Niger Republic.
”This would positively drive our economies through employment from new business opportunities and wealth creation.”
Funding arrangement
Buhari said the Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Finance are working to engage co-financiers to conclude funding agreement for the Ibadan-Kano line and enhance the bankability of the project.
The railway line will also be linked to the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.
It is also expected, Buhari enthused, that the dry ports in Ibadan, Kaduna, and Kano along the routes will be activated with the ports receiving imports directly from the international market as ports of destination.
He commended Transportation Minister Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, the ministry, and other project implementation partners contributing to the national effort to develop railway infrastructure.
He said several landmarks have been achieved under this administration, beginning from the flag-off for commercial operation of Abuja-Kaduna railway in 2016 to the launch of the Lagos-Ibadan line last month.
Driving railway overhaul
Amaechi thanked Buhari for his strong will in driving the overhaul of the railway transport subsector.
He assured hm that the Transport Ministry is committed to his vision for a strong and sustainable railway backbone to facilitate positive economic transformation.
Amaechi explained that the rail line has accessories and special installations, including power and water supply schemes, signalling system and communication in GSM-R, freight yards, rolling stock depots, and maintenance workshops.
He said the ministry has finalised plans to commence construction of the remaining part of the Ibadan-Abuja section to complete the entire stretch of the Lagos-Kano rail line.
Others present at the ceremony included Governors Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), and Simon Lalong (Plateau).
Buhari also commissioned Dangi Underpass built by the Kano State government.