President Muhammadu Buhari commissioned the Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge train service, 10 years after an agreement was signed between Nigeria and Chinese Company to build a standard gauge rail network across the country.
The railway project has survived three administration. It was conceived by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, commenced by the Goodluck Jonathan administration and commissioned by the Buhari led government.
Commissioning the train service, shortly before taking a ride in it, Buhari assured Nigerians that his administration would implement the 25 Year Strategic Railway Master Plan which is aimed at rehabilitating the existing 3,505km narrow gauge rail line and developing and constructing new standard gauge rail lines across the country.
“As we celebrate the symbolic return of rail service today I wish to reiterate the commitment of this Administration to pursue with greater vigour and determination rehabilitation and construction of other rail lines including the major Lagos-Calabar and Kano-Lagos lines”.
The President noted that the Abuja-Kaduna train service will provide the much needed alternative transport link between the Federal Capital Territory and Kaduna State, a corridor which has a huge potential for industries, agricultural activities and a growing labour force.
He assured Nigerians that most State capitals and major commercial and production centres will be linked with railway system “as a way of bringing about rapid socio-economic development and improving the quality of life of the Nigerians and promoting social & regional integration”.
It is on record that between 1963 and early ‘80s, Nigeria had a vibrant rail system which conveyed agricultural and livestock and solid mineral resources to Lagos and Port Harcourt sea ports from where they are exported to other parts of the world. It is our vision and hope that those good old days will soon be back with us and indeed in a more prosperous way with the restoration of rail transport system which today’s occasion symbolises.
The agreement for the construction was signed between the Administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Chinese company CCEC, for the construction Lagos-Kano and Port
Harcourt-Maiduguri, and the Lagos-Calabar lines to replace existing lines at a cost of $8.3 billion, over a 25- year period. The project was later renegotiated by the Musa Yar’adua and Goodluck Jonathan administrations which saw the inclusion of the Abuja-Kaduna line. The Contract for the Abuja-Kaduna standard rail project was awarded in 2010 while construction in 2011.
Senate President, Bukola Saraki, in his goodwill message commended President Buhari and his team for bringing the project to completion.
As Nigeria makes efforts to achieve its vision of becoming one of the 20 top economies by year 2020, Saraki noted that “the 20 most developed nations in the world conduct movement of 70% of their goods and services via rail systems”.
Transport Minister Rotimi Ameachi in his opening remarks noted that the train service which has been on a trial run between June and July trial conveying commuters for free is expected to impart on housing as the poor can live in Kaduna and work in Abuja. He added that it is the expectation of government that once maintained, the Kaduna road will last longer as traffic by heavy trucks conveying freights will reduce
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Musa Bello, also said the Abuja part of the light rail was already 77% completed and would be commissioned by December next year when it is fully completed.
Kaduna State governor, Nasir El Rufai who was the FCT minister as at the time the agreement for the construction was signed with the Chinese company, said the vision was to have a standard gauge covering north to south for about $8billion, but “was abandoned by our successors” however “10 years after awarding the contract we are standing here to commission the Kaduna-Abuja segment”. With the commencement of the Abuja-Kaduna train service, El-Ruafi said Kaduna would now become a satellite town.
He said the state is currently discussing with the Chinese company to build a light rail in the state to join that will connect to the main gauge.
Elizabeth Archibong
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