The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi Tuesday said Nigeria’s rail line that would cover the Western corridor of the country across nine states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja spanning a total of 1,402Km would be completed in 36 months.
Amaechi who stated this at the Forum of China-Africa Transportation Convention in Beijing, China said the project would begin as soon as the loan agreement was reached between Nigeria and China.
“This rail line, a total of 1,402Km which covers the Western corridor of Nigeria traverses nine (9) states of our Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and is expected to be completed within three (3) years if the expected loan agreement with China EXIM Bank for co-financing is reached as expected,” he said.
On the Lagos – Kano railway project awarded to China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC) and co-financed by China EXIM Bank, Amaechi revealed that the project would serve as an important distribution corridor between the major sea port of Lagos and the hinterlands noting that the Investment and partnering was imperative in Nigeria’s cooperation with the Peoples Republic of China to strengthen Nigeria’s transport infrastructure and contribute towards building a competitive economy.
“Nigeria is also partnering with other private sector investors, foreign and domestic, including the consortium led by the United States General Electric. The successful realization of these projects and their operations will result in attainment of high level of intermodal transport syste,” he said.
The Ministry of Transportation recently signed the commercial contract for the remaining 901 Km Ibadan – Kano stretch and the associated branch lines from Oshogbo to Ado Ekiti, South West Nigeria following the completion of the first segment of the line, Abuja – Kaduna railway project of 186.5Km
Amaechi said that the completion of the Abuja-Kaduna project had improved citizen’s mobility between the important Northern commercial city of Kaduna and the Federal Capital, Abuja, adding that the project had been completed and commercial train operation has commenced since July, 2016 conveying close to a million passengers.
While the construction of the second segment which is 162Km Lagos – Ibadan double track rail line was ongoing, Amaechi said that Nigerian and other African Governments had put efforts at sourcing financiers for development of critical infrastructure especially its transport infrastructure – railways and ports.
“The Nigerian Government has liberalized the transportation sector, therefore admitting both private and institutional foreign and local investors to participate in the development and also develop legal framework and policies at reviving the railway sector” he said.
The minister stated that key Chinese construction and financial entities have shown keen interest in some ventures and projects which include, The 284Km Kano – Katsina – Maradi (Niger Republic) rail line, The Port Harcourt – Maiduguri standard gauge rail line, The Bonny Deep Sea Port, the Port Harcourt Industrial Park Project and others.
He said that the prioritization of the project will meet the ultimate needs of industrialization and diversification of our economy by serving as a backbone for a sustainable development and growth in mining, agriculture and Oil & Gas industries as well as improve citizen mobility.
He further noted that the platform of the ongoing Convention will provide windows of opportunity where ideas and knowledge about management can be shared to achieve cheap, convenient and affordable intermodal transport system.
