By Ngozi Nwankwo
Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to completing and commissioning the 284-kilometre Kano–Daura–Katsina sections of the Kano–Maradi Railway Development Project by December 2026.
The assurance followed a joint inspection of the project by officials of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Federal Ministry of Finance and financiers of the project recently to assess progress on the strategic rail corridor.
The inspection established the physical completion of the Kano–Katsina section at over 75 percent and included a test run on the completed track, with officials travelling by train from Kazaure to Katsina.
Speaking after the inspection, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Funso Adebiyi, represented by the Director, Rail Transport Services, Engr. Habiba Buhari, said the project remained firmly on course for commissioning in December 2026.
She noted that while the rainy season had slightly slowed construction, significant progress had been made, with materials required for track laying already stockpiled at the project camp.
Buhari said the remaining works would be completed within the approved timeline, despite challenges including security concerns, vandalism of construction materials, land-access issues in some urban areas, illegal laterite mining along the Kano–Dutse corridor, and seasonal reductions in construction activities.
Buhari explained that some communities were yet to accept provisions relating to the Land Use Act, but assured that the issues would only cause temporary delays and would not stop completion of the project.
She added that the government was intensifying engagement with affected communities and other stakeholders to resolve land-related disputes and facilitate access for contractors.
On the procurement of rolling stock, identified as the next major milestone towards commissioning, Engr. Buhari said efforts were underway to ensure that the required trains arrived in time for the December commissioning.
“Even if we don’t get all of it, at least we will get the ones to commission by December,” she stated.
The Senior Country Officer and Representative of of the financier, Siya Biniza, described the investments made on the rail project as justified, noting that railway represents strategic infrastructure with significant economic potential for Nigeria.
Also speaking, the representative of the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Director, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Muhammadu Kamal, said government releases were being made as at when due and confirmed that the Federal Government had released its 15 per cent counterpart funding.
He explained that the project was being financed through a combination of loan facilities and counterpart funding, with the Federal Government responsible for 15 per cent of the financing and the financing facility covering the remaining 85 per cent.
Meanwhile, the contractor, Mota-Engil Nigeria, reaffirmed its commitment to delivering the Kano–Katsina section by December 2026.
Representing the company, its Chief Financial Officer, Vladislav Bystrenko, said the first phase, covering the Kano–Katsina corridor, was expected to be completed by December 2026, while the extension from Katsina to Maradi in Niger Republic was expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
