By Egena Sunday Ode
Work on the ambitious Kaduna-Kano-Jigawa-Katsina-Maradi Railway Project has progressed to a significant stage, already reaching 60 percent completion. Also, the 104km branch line from Kano to Dutse is being vigorously executed.
This was confirmed when members of the Presidential Media Team led by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, visited the site at Dunbus in Jigawa at the weekend.
The inspection was part of the ongoing visit to federal and state government projects in the Northwest part of the country, initiated by the Governor Hope Uzodimma- led Renewed Hope Ambassadors.
Engr. Ali Bukar, Resident Engineer from the Federal Ministry of Transportation in charge of section two of the project who confirmed the progress being made by contractors on the project said work was ongoing on all the nine sections of the railway, except the Jibia to Maradi section which has has slow down due to diplomatic issues.
According to Engr Bukar, the project had reached 60 percent completion across its two key corridors with an expected delivery period of December 2027.
Bukar explained that construction activities on the Kano to Dutse stretch have intensified, with major work currently focused on bridge construction across key waterways and challenging terrains.
He said foundation works, including piling and substructure development for several bridges, have reached advanced stages, while superstructure installations are ongoing in multiple locations.
Engr Bukar explained that significant milestones have been achieved along the Kano to Jigawa section of the rail line, which spans approximately 104 kilometres as well as the branch line linking Kano to Dutse with track laying, earthworks, and structural components along both alignments in place.
According to him, the project was fully funded under the President Bola Tinubu Renewed Hope Infrastructure funding scheme.
The team also inspected some landmark projects undertaken by the Kano and Jigawa State Governments. These include the interchange flyover bridge in Tal-Udu, Gwale Local Government Area of Kano, and ongoing construction of concrete waterline from Kapin Chiri Dam in Garko Local Government of Kano South Senatorial District for irrigation farming.
In Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, the team also inspected the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Skills Acquisition Centre, as well as tractors acquired by the state government for agricultural purposes.
The tour which began on Thursday from Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Superhighway also took the team projects executed by the Federal Government in Kaduna as well as those of the Kaduna State Government, including roads, hospitals and vocational training centres, among others.
