Railway development important economic driver in Nigeria- Buhari

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his administration would continue to accord greatest priority to railway infrastructure development because it has become an important economic driver.

Buhari made the remarks on Thursday in at ground breaking ceremony of Kaduna-Kano rail line project, held at Zawaciki in Kano state .

“I am delighted to preside over the ground breaking ceremony to mark the commencement of construction activities on the Kano-Kaduna segment of the modernisation project at the proposed site of the Kano railway station, which is adjacent to the Dala Inland Dry Port,” he said.

He said that commencement of the construction activities of the Kaduna-Kano rail line project represented the commitment of the administration in the revival of Nigerian Railway system.

“The project is crucial to the establishment of the supply chain in railway transport within its corridor, Kano, Kaduna, Abuja, and it links major commercial cities in Kano and Kaduna to Abuja.

“After completion, it will link the Lagos-Ibadan railway project there Abuja-Minna-Ilorin-Oshogbo-Ibadan to Lagos on one end, and Maradi in Niger Republic on the other end.

He revealed that the railway line would be linked to Tincan Island port, it was also expected that the inland dried ports on the routes would be activated.

Buhari said that would enable the ports to receive imports directly from international markets.

He commanded the transportation minister, Rotimi Ameachi for his focus and resolve which represented the drive of the administration in railway infrastructure development.

In his remarks, the minister of transportation, Rotimi Ameachi, said that the project covers 203 kilometers double track standard gauge railway from Kano to Kaduna.

He said that it traversed Kaduna, Zaria and Kano cities, with three railway stations both for passengers and freight services at Rigachukun, Zaria and Kano with varying capacities and categories.