The Federal Government has announced that the Lagos-Kano narrow gauge rail line is poised to commence freight services.
This revelation came to light during the visit of the Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, to the project site in Kano State on Thursday.
The contractors, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, disclosed that the line had been successfully linked to the Zawaciki Dala Dry Port in Kano, a pivotal commercial centre in the state.
Alkali emphasised that initiating freight operations would not only prolong the lifespan of the nation’s highways but also contribute to reducing the alarming number of auto accident-related fatalities among Nigerians.
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Expressing satisfaction with the progress, Alkali noted, “This is the second leg of my inspection since I took over as the minister of Transportation, and the essence of the inspection is to see by myself… to ensure compliance in terms of time and specifications.”
He added, “The progress is remarkable from what I have seen.”
1.)Trains on old Narrow gauge line (3,505km).
2)Trains on Standard gauge line (669km). More to come.
The Narrow gauge rail line between Kano & Lagos has been rehabilitated. The video below is the TEST-RUN along the line, before the commencement of Kano-Lagos Express Train Service https://t.co/IppiKQablc pic.twitter.com/FguNEJdas7
— NIGERIAN RAILWAY CORPORATION (@info_NRC) January 29, 2024
The minister elaborated on the division of the project into segments to ensure smoother execution and quicker completion.
“I have just discussed with the contractor,” he said, “we are going to segment the project… Kano-Daura next year and Daura to Maradi in 2026 and Dutse to Kano in 2026.”
The visit showcased tangible advancements, with Alkali and his team traversing the route and witnessing firsthand the ongoing earthwork, culvert construction, and rail line preparation.
“We came all the way from Kano,” he said, “they are doing the earthwork and the culvert, and this is a station where they have started preparing the rail lines…”
The imminent commencement of freight services on the Lagos-Kano narrow gauge rail line marks a significant stride in Nigeria’s transportation landscape, promising enhanced connectivity, efficiency, and safety for both passengers and cargo alike.