The Federal Government of Nigeria has made a significant advancement in the transportation sector with the impending commencement of freight services on the Lagos-Kano narrow gauge rail line. The announcement came from the Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, during his inspection visit to the project site in Kano State.
During the visit, it was disclosed that the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, the contractors for the project, had successfully connected the rail line to the Zawaciki Dala Dry Port in Kano, which is a major commercial hub in the state. This development is poised to enhance logistics and transportation of goods in the region, thereby boosting economic activities.
Minister Alkali highlighted the strategic importance of the rail service in extending the lifespan of the nation’s highways and reducing the prevalence of auto accident-related fatalities. He expressed his satisfaction with the significant progress made on the project since his last inspection and commended the pace of work.
To ensure the efficient and timely completion of the project, the minister revealed plans to divide the project into segments. He outlined a schedule for the completion of different sections of the rail line, stating, “We are going to segment the project by the grace of God. We are going to put Kano-Daura next year and Daura to Maradi in 2026 and Dutse to Kano in 2026.”
This segmentation strategy aims to streamline operations and facilitate smoother project management, ensuring that different segments of the rail line are completed systematically and efficiently.
The ongoing development of the Lagos-Kano rail line represents a significant leap forward in enhancing Nigeria’s rail infrastructure and is expected to have a positive impact on the country’s economic and social landscape by improving connectivity and reducing transportation costs.
