Buhari flags off 203km Kano-To-Kaduna railway line construction

Abiola Seun

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday flagged off the construction of a 203 Kilometers Kano to Kaduna Standard gauge railway line.

President Buhari, while performing the flag off, said the groundbreaking ceremony for Kano – Kaduna segment of the Lagos – Kano railway modernization project 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.

He said the project represents the commitment of his administration in the revival of the Nigerian Railway system, to reduce the deficiency in the nation’s transportation infrastructure and drive effective and more efficient transportation of passengers and freight within the country.

According to the President, the 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.

“I am delighted to preside over the groundbreaking ceremony to mark the commencement of construction activities on the Kano – Kaduna Segment of the Lagos – Kano Railway Modernization project at the proposed site of the Kano Railway Station, Kano which is also adjacent to the Dala Inland Dry Port.

“The take-off of construction activities on this segment of the Lagos – Kano vividly represents the commitment of this administration in the revival of Nigerian Railway system, to reduce the deficiency in our transportation infrastructure and drive effective and more efficient transportation of passengers and freight within the country.

“The groundbreaking ceremony for Kano – Kaduna segment of the Lagos – Kano railway modernization project 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,” he said.

Also speaking during the occasion, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation, charged the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and TEAM, the technical supervising company, to ensure completion of the project within a period of 18 months to enable President Buhari to Commission the project before the expiration of his tenure.

Amaechi said that 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.