President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged that his administration will continue to accord railway infrastructure development the greatest priority, saying the rail transportation will create wealth and busines opportunities for Nigerians.
Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony of Kaduna– Kano segment of the Lagos– Kano railway modernization project in Kano on Thursday, Buhari said the take-off of construction activities on the segment of the Lagos– Kano vividly represents the commitment of the Federal Government in the revival of the country’s railway system.
The President said, ”The ground breaking ceremony for Kano – Kaduna segment of the Lagos – Kano railway modernization project signifies an important milestone of the construction of the third segment, having completed and commenced commercial operation on the first segment Abuja–Kaduna and recently the second segment Lagos-Ibadan.
”This project is crucial to the establishment of a supply chain in railway transport within its corridor, Kano –Kaduna-Abuja, as it links the major commercial cities of Kano and Kaduna to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
”Upon completion, Kaduna-Kano railway project is to link the Lagos–Ibadan Railway project via Abuja, Minna, Ilorin, Oshogbo, Ibadan to Lagos on one end, and Maradi, Niger Republic on the other.
”This railway connection when completed will establish the ports in Lagos, as the choice for import and export business of the people of landlocked Niger Republic.
”This would positively drive our economies through employment from new business opportunities and wealth creation,” he said.
On financing for the project, Buhari expressed confidence that the Federal Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Finance were working to engage co-financiers to conclude financial agreements for the development of the Ibadan–Kano line and to further increase the bankability of the project.
He further explained that the railway line would be linked to the second Port in Lagos, the Tin Can Island Port.
According to Buhari, the Inland Dry Port on the aforementioned routes will be activated with the ports receiving imports directly from the international market as ports of destination such as the Ibadan, Kaduna and Kano Inland Dry Ports.
He commended the Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, the Ministry and other project implementation partners that are contributing to the national effort of railway infrastructure development.
He noted that under this administration, several landmarks have been achieved, beginning from the flag-off for commercial operation of Abuja – Kaduna railway in 2016 to the recent commissioning of the Lagos – Ibadan railway project on June 10 2021, thereby maintaining the pace for the actualization of this vital thoroughfare.
In his remarks, Amaechi thanked the President for the strong will in driving the overhaul of Nigeria’s moribund railway transport subsector.
He assured Buhari that the Transport ministry would remain committed to his vision for a strong and sustainable railway transportation backbone to engender and facilitate a new path to positive economic transformation of the country.
Highlighting some features of the project, the minister explained the rail line is also provided with accessories and special installations including power and water supply schemes, signalling system and communication in GSM-R, freight yards, rolling stock depots and maintenance workshops.
He announced that the ministry has finalized plans to commence construction of the remaining addendum of Ibadan-Abuja to complete the entire stretch of the Lagos-Kano Railway modernization project.
At the ground breaking ceremony at Zawaciki, Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area of Kano State, President Buhari was joined by State Governors: Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano); Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) and Simon Lalong (Plateau).
While in Kano, Buhari also commissioned Dangi Underpass built by the Kano State Government.
Meanwhile, Buhari has called for imbibing the culture of completing projects of importance in order to save time and cost overruns without minding which administrations began those projects.
Commending Governor Ganduje during a courtesy call on the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, on Thursday in Kano, Buhari said the completion of projects started by his predecessors was a sign of strength and good leadership on the part of the Governor.
Stressing the need to create such culture among the general public, Buhari said he is pleased to see Ganduje initiate and complete projects, adding that he is equally happy seeing him completing projects initiated by his predecessors.
He said, “It shows that he (Ganduje) is not wicked or malicious.”
The President added that he was glad with the many projects the Governor is putting in place, saying that this is the only way to justify the resources that are being managed on behalf of the people.
In his remarks, Ganduje expressed the gratitude of the government and the people of Kano for the care and love lavished by the President as manifested by key appointments as well as the many ongoing federal projects, including the Kano-Kaduna modern railway project, which construction the President kicked off in the city in the morning.
Emir Aminu Ado Bayero also welcomed Buhari to the Palace which he said has always served as his home. He commended the President for carrying out so many infrastructure projects in the state and across the nation in spite of the global economic meltdown caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, but urged that more attention be paid to the problems of security, poverty and food inflation.
The royal father also urged his subjects to pray and show patience and understanding towards their leaders.
Before his presence in the Palace, the President had commissioned a very impressive three-layer bridge in the city, put up by the Ganduje administration to alleviate excruciating traffic hold-up on a major road crossing beside the state Secretariat.
