PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu on Friday announced that the Federal Government has resolved to complete the 284-kilometre Kano–Jigawa–Katsina–Maradi railway project by 2026.
The president disclosed this in Katsina State when he inaugurated the Katsina State Agricultural Mechanisation Centre and a 24-kilometre Eastern Bypass located at Tashar Bala Area of the State.
The railway line project, which connects Kano State in Nigeria’s Northwest Region to Maradi in neighbouring Niger Republic, will according to the president ease transportation of persons and goods in the region, thereby reducing the pressure on Nigerian roads if completed.
The president further announced that the Federal Government has awarded contracts for the total rehabilitation of Martabar Kankara -Dutsinma -Katsina Road and Zaria -Hunkuyi -Dabai, as well as Kafur -Malumfashi -Dayi -Gidan Mutum Daya Roads.
He added that the second phase of the Katsina-Kano Road is firmly on course, stating that the Federal Government has resolved the previous technical and bureaucratic challenges, and work is ongoing on the road.
“The second phase of the Katsina-Kano Road is firmly on course. We have resolved the previous technical and bureaucratic challenges, and work is ongoing on that road.
“We have awarded the contract for the total rehabilitation of Martabar Kankara -Dutsinma -Katsina Road and Zaria -Hunkuyi -Dabai, as well as Kafur -Malumfashi -Dayi -Gidan Mutum Daya Roads. We are determined to deliver the roads on schedule.
“Similarly, the Federal Government plans to complete the 284-kilometre Kano- Jigawa-Katsina – Maradi rail project in 2026. When finished, the project will ease the transportation of persons and goods, reducing the pressure on our roads.
“To the people of Katsina State, I want to assure you that the Federal Government has enough projects and programs on the pipelines to benefit the people who are committed. Thanks for your prayers”, he noted.
The Kano–Maradi railway project was initiated during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who secured Federal Executive Council approval for $1.96 billion to fund the 284-kilometre standard gauge railway line in September 2020.
