By Chris Agabi
The Federal Government has secured $1.3 billion from a foreign lender it hasn’t disclosed to fund the controversial Kano-Katsina-Jibiya-Maradi Railway Project.
A statement by Jamilu Ja’afaru, the
Special Assistant (Public Affairs) to the Minister of Transportation said the minister has expressed excitement over the deal.
Recall Nigerians had raised concerns over the building of a rail facility into Niger Republic when the built of the states in Nigeria are not connected by rail. Commentators also expressed sorry over the viability of the project.
The Minister Senator Said Ahmed Alkali, securing of $1.3 billion signifies a monumental step forward in the completion of this critical infrastructure, the Kano-Katsina-Jibiya-Maradi Railway Project.
He said the project will strengthen the socioeconomic ties between Nigeria and the Niger Republic.
According to him, the rail link, a key component of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is set to enhance regional trade, community development, and cultural exchange, aligning with the administration’s unwavering commitment to national development and a more interconnected African continent.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Mr. Fidet Okhiria, and Alh. Muhammad Abdulrazak, a senior director with the African Development Bank (AfDB), have both endorsed the project as a catalyst for positive change, fostering economic growth and regional cooperation, the statement further indicated.
It noted that recent visit by Mr. Tang Zhigang, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the China Export and Credit Insurance Corporation, and his delegation, has further bolstered optimism for the rail project’s potential to lay the groundwork for future prosperity between the two nations.
“The Kano-Katsina-Jibiya-Maradi rail line is a testament to our shared history and ambition for economic advancement. It will create a lasting legacy of wealth and opportunities for Nigeria and the Niger Republic,” said Senator Said Ahmed Alkali.
