By Idu Jude
Added to the already commissioned Abuja/ Kaduna rail line, and Lagos Ibadan corridor, President Mohammadu Buhari, has again performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the yet another 203.8 kilometers Kaduna/Kano line.

While speaking during the ceremony, Thursday in Tumbozo LGA, Kano, the President, said that his administration is upbeat in driving the economy of the country through reform of the transportation sector.

He said that his administration’s efforts is to heed the yelling and aspirations of the citizens and as well deliver

The President reminded that the project is a result of his administration’s efforts to heed the yelling and aspirations of the citizens and as well to deliver on the political mandate.

He further stressed that 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.

“Upon completion, 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, the 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”

The President further said that the Federal Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Finance are working to engage co-financiers to conclude financial agreements to partner with the Federal Government for the development of the Ibadan – Kano line and to further increase the bankability of the project.

The railway line in his view will be linked to the second Port in Lagos, the Tin Can Island Port. It is also expected that the Inland Dry Port on these routes will be activated and the ports can now receive imports directly from the international market as ports of destination such as the Ibadan, Kaduna, and Kano Inland Dry Ports.

Also speaking during the ceremony, the Minister of Transportation Rt Honourable Chibuike Amaechi, remarked that the Kano – Kaduna railway project is a part of the third and outstanding segment of the Lagos ~ Kano railway modernization project, just as the first segment, Abuja – Kaduna Railway line, was flagged-off for commercial operation in July 2016 and just recently and the second segment, Lagos – Ibadan railway line was commissioned for
commercial operation precisely on June 10, 2021.

Amaechi said, “Succinctly speaking, having delivered Abuja – Kaduna, and Lagos –

Ibadan Railway Project the remaining stretch of Ibadan – Kano which

traverses Oyo, Osun, Kwara, Niger, Abuja, Kaduna and Kano has been, segmented as follows:

Kaduna – Kano segment, Ibadan – Minna Segment

Minna – Abuja Segment

“The scope of the railway project involves a 203km double track standard gauge railway from Kano to Kaduna. The railway along this route traverses the major cities of Kaduna, Zaria, and Kano with three (3) railway stations both for passenger and freight services at Rigachukun, Zaria, and Kano with varying capacities and categories.

COVID-19: Women suffer greater employment shock than men -Report

” This project will link the Federal Capital, Abuja with the Commercial city of Kano and also link the ongoing Kano – Maradi project. The outstanding addendum, Ibadan – Abuja, will link the Sea Ports in Lagos to Maradi, Niger Republic. This I believe will greatly boost trade between the two countries and foster economic development. This railway line will present an opportunity for Nigerians to traverse between Abuja and Kano via Kaduna with relative ease.

“The project will no doubt improve the standard of living of citizens within its corridor, create employment and promote trade. In the long term, the railway will help decongest the Lagos Port Complex and increase its efficiency as well as further increase the viability of the Inland Dry Ports located in Ibadan, Kaduna, and Kano.

“The rail line is also provided with accessories and special installations including Power and Water Supply schemes, Signalling System & Communication in GSM-R, Freight yards, Rolling stock depots, and maintenance workshops.

“I am pleased to inform you that the Ministry is finalizing plans to commence construction of the remaining addendum; Ibadan – Abuja to complete the entire stretch of the Lagos – Kano Railway Modernization project, the first of the modernization project in the 25-Year Strategic Vision plan of the Federal Government to revitalize our hitherto moribund railway transport subsector.

“The Federal Ministry of Transportation will continue to work assiduously in line with Mr. President’s directives, to implement all the corridors within the Nigeria Railway ‘Modernization project and
progressively expand the railway network.

“Mr. President, your administration has exhibited strong will in driving the overhaul of our railway system through your intervention and support. The Ministry remains committed to your vision for a strong and sustainable railway transportation backbone to engender and facilitate a new path to a positive economic transformation of the country”

The Nigerian Railways cooperation NRC

However, alluded that Nigerian Railway Modernization Project, Kaduna-Kano Segment starts from Rigasa Station(Kaduna) and runs to Kano. The length of the mainline is 203.8 km. The Managing Director of the cooperation Mr. Fidet Okhiria said that the project under its supervision will connect two important states in the north region namely Kaduna and the Kano States. When completed, it will be connected to the existing Abuja-Kaduna railway line, and it will be possible to travel directly from Kano to Abuja by train.

According to him, the project adopts China Railway Standard, with a designed speed of 150 km/h. It is a single-track standard gauge railway, using diesel traction and an automatic locking system.

Northern Governors lauds President Buhari for railway modernisation

“There are 13 large and medium-sized bridges, with a total length of 5.17 km,17 frame bridges, 60 highway overpasses, 12 pedestrian overpasses,374 culverts,3 stations, and 3 passing loops in the project.

SOCIAL BENEFITS

The corporation stated that the project will improve the Nigerian transport infrastructure and enhance the better layout of the national railway network.

“It will facilitate a better interstate connection in the regions of Kano, Kaduna, and the Abuja States respectively, accelerate industrialization and urbanization of regions along the line, and foster integrated economic development. The operation of this rail line will facilitate mass movement of passengers, reduce the traffic pressure on the road, lower the rate of road accidents and promote safety of travelers”

“When connected with the Ibadan-Abuja railway line through the existing Abuja-Kaduna line in the future, it will greatly facilitate the movement of goods between the north and south of Nigeria”