The Lagos-Kano narrow gauge rail line may begin freight services in June 2024, according to the federal government.
China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), the project contractor, said that the rail line has been connected to Zawaciki Dala Dry Port in Kano.
Contractors revealed this on Thursday when Senator Sa’id Alkali, the transportation minister, visited the project site in Kano State for an on-the-spot assessment.
Freight operations will extend the lifespan of Nigeria’s roadways and rescue more Nigerians from car accidents, the minister claimed.
The minister was pleased with the velocity of construction on the Kano-Maradi standard gauge rail track, which had improved since his initial assessment.
He also said the project will be segmented for ease and speed.
The minister also said: “This is the second leg of my inspection since I took over as the minister of Transportation and the essence of the inspection is to see by myself with a team from the Ministry of Transportation and Engineers from the Railway Corporation and the consultant and the contractors, so that we ensure compliance in term of time and in term of specifications but the impression I have from the last visit I came, the progress is remarkable from what I have seen.
“We came all the way from Kano, we drove on the formation that they did, they are doing the earthwork and the culvert and this is a station where they have started preparing the rail lines and the slippers so that they will use their locomotive to convey the materials on the rail line.
“I have just discussed with the contractor, we are going to segment the project by the grace of God. We are going to put Kano-Daura next year and Faira to Maradi in 2026 and Dutse to Kano in 2026.”