Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has announced that the Lagos to Kano standard gauge railway will begin operations by December 2017. He also revealed that the Lagos to Port Harcourt rail line is expected to start functioning before the end of the year.
Progress on Nigeria’s Rail Network
Rotimi Amaechi made the statement during a facility tour of the Kaduna Inland Dry Port on Tuesday. He revealed that plans were in motion to procure 20 additional locomotives to facilitate cargo movement between Lagos, Kano, and Port Harcourt.
The minister emphasized the Federal Government’s commitment to improving transportation infrastructure, aiming to boost the economy and create jobs nationwide.
“We are doing everything possible to create jobs, and whatever the Federal Government needs to do to get the ports running will be done,” Amaechi said.
“The rail line will soon start running before the end of the year for delivering goods to the port.”
Preparing for Full Operations
According to Amaechi, the Kaduna dry port is nearly ready for use, with land and warehouse infrastructure already in place. However, the government is waiting for the completion of the road network leading to the port and increased activity at the depot before scheduling an official commissioning by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The minister also praised progress made on other inland dry ports in the country:
“I have visited Jos (Plateau State) and they have assured me that the project will be completed by June. I have also visited Kaduna and what I have seen is commendable.”
Buhari’s Vision for Transportation
Amaechi reiterated that the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is to establish a safe and efficient transport system that will support business growth, reduce logistics costs, and open trade routes connecting various regions in Nigeria.
With railway rehabilitation and expansion underway nationwide, the government hopes to ease congestion on roads and strengthen the country’s economic resilience through better movement of goods and people.
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