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‘Kano-Kaduna rail corridor’ll be linked to Tin Can port’

Kano-Kaduna rail project inauguration

Buhari cuts the tape at the inauguration of the 203.8km Kano-Kaduna rail line on Thursday. Photo: IG/buharisallau

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Thursday in Kano, performed the turning of the sod of Kano/Kaduna rail line project with a promise to continue to accord greatest priority to railway infrastructure development as an important economic driver.

Buhari made the remarks on Thursday in Zawachiki, Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area of Kano at the groundbreaking ceremony of the project.

He explained that the commencement of the construction activities of the Kaduna-Kano rail line was a clear demonstration of the commitment of his administration to the revival of the Nigerian Railway system.

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

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

Buhari disclosed that the rail line would be linked to the Tincan Island Port in Lagos, adding that inland dry ports on the routes would also be reactivated and linked to the rail line.

“This will enable the ports to receive imports directly from international markets,” the President said.

He commended the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Ameachi, for his focus, which represented the drive of the administration in railway infrastructure development.

In his remarks, Ameachi said the project would cover 203 kilometres of double track standard gauge rail line from Kano to Kaduna.

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

The minister added that the contract, which was awarded to China Civil Construction Engineering Company, was expected to be completed in 18 months.

Journalists, who were invited to cover the event, had a hectic time as presidential security personnel denied them access to the venue.The Kano-based journalists, who arrived at the venue early, were turned back by the security aides, who insisted that media representatives must have proper tags before they would be allowed in the venue.

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, called on the President to intensify efforts in tackling the security challenges confronting the country.

The monarch, who made the call while receiving the President, who paid him a courtesy visit at his palace on Thursday, noted that the current economic situation in the country was inflicting untold hardship on Nigerians.

He lamented that people were facing untold hardship because of the high cost of commodities, stressing that the government should do everything possible to control inflation. The traditional ruler, however, appealed to Nigerians irrespective of political affiliation to continue to support and pray for the success of Buhari’s administration.

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