Kano-Kaduna rail project to commence July – Minister

MINISTER of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has said that the Kano–Kaduna rail project would commence in July, adding that Federal Government would link Kano to Maradi in the Niger Republic.

Amaechi made the disclosure today, when he paid a courtesy visit to Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, before commissioning the North-West zonal office of Nigeria Shippers Council.

“Kano-Kaduna railway project will commence between now and July and the project will head to Lagos through Ibadan. Kano can also be a hub, which will grow the economy and also create job opportunities for its teeming youths,” the minister said.

He further said that the ministry, however, rejected the design for train station in Kano for a bigger and better one like that of Lagos.

“We are going to build a big and modern rail station that will contain the volume of cargo and human trafficking that will pass through Kano.

“Kano is important to Nigeria and also important to railway sector and we try to see how we can bring the maritime sector into the state,” he stated.

Amaechi restated the federal government’s commitment to developing transport infrastructure in the country.

Responding, Governor Ganduje, commended President Buhari for his strides in the transport sector, noting that:

 “The rail project will boost commercial activities and create jobs for our teeming youths because Kano is the commercial nerve center of the North and some West African countries.”