President Muhammadu Buhari has called on the private sector to take advantage of the economic opportunities emanating from the evolution in Nigeria’s transportation systems.
The president made this call through a live broadcast, while performing the ground breaking of the Kano-Maradi Rail Project; an event which took place in Daura, Katsina State.
He said his administration is working towards ensuring major rail projects in Nigeria reach appreciable levels of completion before the end of his tenure.
On his part, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi said that apart from its economic potentials, funding has been the driving force behind the project.
in his words “when completed, the rail line will be ready to handle passenger and freight daily traffic forecast of 9,364 passengers and approximately 3,000 metric tons of freight on return trips between Kano and Maradi.
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There is no doubt that this route, when linked with the ongoing Lagos-Kano railway project on completion, will generate higher traffic volumes and revenue”
The Governors of Katsina, Kano and Jigawa expressed readiness to assist the Federal Government in actualizing the project.
The 284 kilometre standard gauge rail line, is expected to link the cities of Katsina, Jibya and Maradi in Niger republic with a 94 kilometer branch line to Dutse in Jigawa State.
It is to be completed within three years at the cost of 1.95 billion dollars.
Edited by Tunde Orebiyi.
