The Federal Government has announced that funds have been fully secured for the construction of the Aba-Maiduguri railway corridor, a significant milestone in the advancement of the Port Harcourt Eastern Narrow Gauge Railway Project.
This disclosure was made by the Minister of Transportation, Senator Saidu Alkali, on Wednesday, during a government-citizen engagement forum held in Kaduna. According to the Minister, the Aba-Maiduguri corridor, which spans a total of 1,443 kilometres, will traverse several strategic states in the country, including Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi, Plateau, Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Benue.
Senator Alkali affirmed that the availability of funds would accelerate the implementation of the project, which is considered critical for the economic integration of Nigeria’s eastern and northeastern regions. The Minister also emphasized the importance of the project in boosting regional trade, agricultural distribution, and national connectivity.
In addition to the new funding milestone, Senator Alkali revealed that the Federal Government has completed the rehabilitation of the old Lagos-Kano Narrow Gauge Railway, which has since resumed freight operations. The revamped rail line now effectively connects Apapa Port in Lagos to the Kano Inland Dry Port, enhancing the efficiency of cargo movement across the country.
Speaking further, the Minister gave updates on the ongoing Kaduna-Kano Standard Gauge Railway project. He recalled that at the inception of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration on May 29, 2023, the project was only 15 percent complete. However, he stated that significant progress has been achieved, with the project now at 53 percent completion. He assured the public that the Kaduna-Kano rail line is on track to be fully delivered by next year.
Despite the positive developments, National Post reports that there is growing concern and agitation in the South-East over the perceived marginalization of the region in the Federal Government’s railway infrastructure development. Various stakeholders from the region have consistently called for inclusion in key national projects, particularly in the railway sector, to ensure equitable development and integration.
The engagement forum in Kaduna is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to improve transparency, engage citizens directly, and provide updates on major infrastructure projects under the current administration.
The Ministry of Transportation reiterated its commitment to delivering on key infrastructural promises, ensuring that no region is left behind in the drive for national development and modernization of the country’s transport systems.
