Hussaini Ibrahim Kafi
The Federal Government has pledged its unwavering support for the completion of the $1.9 billion Kano-Maradi railway project, ensuring that it does not face any funding shortages.
The pledged was made during an oversight visit by the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Land Transport to the 400-kilometer project, a key legacy of the Muhammadu Buhari administration weekend.
The project, which was awarded to a Portuguese company in 2022, is scheduled for completion by December 2026.
The federal government is contributing 15% of the contract sum, while the remaining 85% is being funded by selected partners, including the African Development Bank.
The Bola Tinubu administration has expressed its determination to see this project through to completion.
During their oversight visit, led by the Minister of Transportation, Said Alkali, federal legislators inspected the project’s progress, which has reached 35%.
In Kazaure, Jigawa State, the visiting team witnessed the production of essential materials, including stone sleepers, cast iron rails, and grippers, by a dedicated workforce of young men and women.
The team also visited construction sites in Sandamu, Katsina State, where the project is underway.
While expressing their satisfaction with the progress made, the lawmakers emphasized their commitment to ensuring that the project is not derailed due to financial constraints. The Minister highlighted the government’s goal of expanding the railway sector, while the company handling the project reaffirmed its dedication to meeting the completion deadline.
The oversight visits also included a visit to the Federal University of Transportation in Daura, Katsina State, to assess the institution’s development.
With the National Assembly’s support and the ongoing efforts of all stakeholders, the Kano-Maradi railway project is poised to become a transformative infrastructure development in the region.
