FG To Flag Off Kaduna-Kano Rail Project In Two Weeks – Amaechi

Rotimi Amaechi says the Federal Government of Nigeria will flag off the Kaduna-Kano rail project in two weeks.

Gatekeepers News reports the at the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi says the $1.2 billion Kaduna-Kano standard gauge rail project will be flagged off in two weeks.

Amaechi made this known on Friday, during a ministerial media briefing organised by the Presidential Communications team in Abuja.

In January 2017, the federal government of Nigeria approved the Kaduna-Kano railway project.

The Minister earlier said that the federal government will borrow less than N100 billion for the project.

According to him, one-third of the project will be funded from the federal government’s budget while awaiting the Chinese government’s loan.

Amaechi at the briefing said the federal government has committed $280 million to the project and will soon provide a further $100 million.

The Transportation Minister further disclosed that the federal government of Nigeria and China have signed an agreement for the construction of a rail component manufacturing factory in Kajola, Ogun state, Southwest Nigeria, which is due to be inaugurated this year.

Amaechi on the issue of vandalism of railway equipment, said it could cause train derailment which could kill passengers, noting that the replacement costs the nation sums of money in foreign currency.

Amaechi while stating that applying strict laws will curb the menace, proposed that anyone caught in the act should be charged with manslaughter.

He further noted that 300 Nigerians have been sponsored to understudy rail technology in China and are to be absorbed into the transportation ministry upon the completion of their study.