The Federal Government has officially reopened the rehabilitated rail line connecting Lagos to Kano, a significant development announced by the Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, on Thursday via his X handle.
“I am delighted to announce to Nigerians that today, 6th June 2024, the Federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be officially launching the reopening of this corridor for freight,” the minister stated.
Alkali emphasized the economic potential of the rail line, stating, “This significant railway route will create numerous opportunities for businesses and facilitate the movement of import and export goods between these crucial regions in the country.”
He elaborated on the broader benefits, noting, “We intend that this railway service will facilitate the transportation of a substantial number of import and export containers. This will lead to improvements in transportation services, a decrease in road traffic accidents, lower costs of goods, and a boost to our Gross Domestic Product (GDP).”
The minister highlighted the administration’s dedication to infrastructure development, guided by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. “Our dedication to the continuation and successful conclusion of current projects is guided by the principles outlined in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
Reflecting on the president’s support, Alkali remarked, “The President has consistently demonstrated his commitment to providing assistance and support for any initiatives that aim to improve the transportation sector in the country. We are confident that if future governments adopt the same forward-thinking political dedication shown by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we can realize the Nigeria we aspire to.”
During a recent inspection, the minister shared progress updates, “You may recall that during our regular project inspection last month, I mentioned that we plan to resume freight services on the old narrow gauge rail line from Lagos to Kano in June after completing rehabilitation.”
He also detailed a recent successful trial, stating, “Recently, we conducted a trial run moving import containers from Apapa Port in Lagos to Dala Inland Dry Port in Kano, and we successfully transported numerous 40 ft containers from Lagos to Kano in just a few days.”
Alkali provided specifics on the logistics, “This freight rail line testing, spanning a distance of 1,132 km, had approximately five locomotive driver changing stations at Ibadan, Offa, Mokwa, Minna, and Kaduna Junction. Through the Nigerian Railway Corporation, we have implemented a regular inspection mechanism to prevent potential vandalism of rail tracks, including the removal of clips and fish plates.”
The reopening of the Lagos-Kano rail line marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s transportation sector, promising enhanced economic activities and improved safety in freight transportation.
