The Federal Government has signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mota- Engil Group of Portugal on the construction of $1.959 billion Kano-Maradi standard gauge railway lines after many months of speculations and public debate on the viability and economic benefits of the proposed rail project connecting Nigeria to Niger republic.
Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi in a statement signed by the director press and public relations Eric Ojiekwe and made available to journalists in Abuja stated that the minister signed on behalf of the federal government, while the managing director, Mota-Engil, Antonio Gvoea signed on behalf of the contracting firm.
The 283.750 kilometre rail line besides developing freight and passenger transport as it will be integrated with road transport will make a great contribution to the local economy as well as an important development in the social sector. The project duration is for 36 months and the contract type is engineering, procurement and construction.
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When completed, the rail track will run through three states of Kano, Jigawa and Katsina and through Niger territory as far as Maradi. Other cities that will be affected by the rail line in Nigeria are Danbatta, Kazaure, Daura, Mashi, Katsina and Jibiya; all located in the northern part of Nigeria.
In attendance during the signing ceremony were the permanent secretary, federal ministry of transportation, Magdalene Ajani and the director, legal services, Pius Oteh, managing director, Mota-Engil Group, Antonio Gvoea and head of legal, Mota- Engil Group, Cameron Beverley.
Other in attendance is Magajin Garin Kano, Muhammad Wada, director, Mota-Engil Group, Kola Abdulkarim, vice president, Mota-Engil Group. Mohammed Abdul-Razaq, Nigerian ambassador to Germany, Yusfu Tuggar, managing director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Hadiza Bala-Usman among other diginitaries.
