The federal government, through the Ministry of Transportation, has announced a major milestone in the financing of the Kano-Katsina-Jibiya-Maradi in Niger railway project, with the securing of a $1.3 billion facility.
The project is under the construction of the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), who is funding the project through loans.
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The minister of transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali, who made the announcement, said it signifies a monumental step forward in the completion of this critical infrastructure, which is poised to strengthen the socioeconomic ties between Nigeria and the Niger Republic.
Jamilu Ja’afaru, an aide to the minister, said this rail link, a key component of President Bola 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.
He said the managing director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Mr. Fidet Okhiria, and Alhaji 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.
Ja’afaru further said the recent visit by the chairman of the Supervisory Board of the China Export and Credit Insurance Corporation, Mr Tang Zhigang, and his delegation, has further bolstered optimism for the rail project’s potential to lay the groundwork for future prosperity between the two nations.
He quoted the minister to have said, “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. As the project advances, the Nigerian government remains dedicated to realizing a vision of progress and unity.”