Kano–Maradi Rail Project Takes Shape In Jigawa

The $1.96bn Kano-Katsina-Jigawa-Maradi rail project is still ongoing despite the recent tensions between Nigeria and the Niger Republic.

Arewa PUNCH reports that the Kano-Katsina-Jigawa-Maradi rail project, which was approved by the Federal Executive Council in September 2020, aims to connect Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa states in Nigeria with Maradi in Niger Republic.

The project is expected to stimulate economic growth, improve transportation, and facilitate trade between Nigeria and the Niger Republic.

In Jigawa State, our correspondent observed during a visit to the project sites that the work on the project has resumed, with workers and equipment actively engaged at the sites.

Residents of villages such as Dundubus, Sabon Garin Dan Malam, as well as Shuwarin, and Andaza towns, in Jigawa, Dutse environ who were interviewed exclusively by Arewa PUNCH Correspondent, expressed their excitement about the project’s progress.

Malam Musa, a resident of Dundubus town, Dutse Local Government area expressed his delight at the resumption of work on the railway project, adding that “it’s our hoped that the project would bring economic benefits and improve transportation in the region.

“We are very happy that the work has started again. We hope that when the project is completed, it will bring economic benefits to our community. We expect to see more businesses and job opportunities,” said Malam Musa.

A trader in Sabon Garin Dan Malam, Nura Garba shared his optimism about the project’s potential impact, saying, “I believe the railway will make it easier for us to transport our goods to other places. It will also attract more customers to our community. We are looking forward to seeing the positive changes it will bring.”

Alhaji Abdullahi Mikaila Shuwarin, a community leader in Shuwarin town, Kiyawa Local Government area emphasised the importance of the project for the region’s development.

According to Alhaji Mikaila, “the railway project is a game-changer for our community. It will connect us to other parts of the country and facilitate trade. We hope that the government will complete the project in good time,” he said.

For Mallam Adamu Aminu, a farmer in Andaza village, Kiyawa Local Government, he highlighted the potential benefits of the project for farmers like himself, saying,

“With the railway, we will be able to transport our farm produce to other markets easily. It will also reduce the cost of transportation. We are hopeful that the project will improve our livelihoods,” Aminu emphasised.

However, our correspondent’s attempts to speak with officials and engineers at the project site at the Jigawa border were unsuccessful, as they declined to comment, saying they didn’t have the company’s approval and authorisation to speak on official matters.

In spite of that, when pressed further, a field worker who begged for anonymity later confirmed to Arewa PUNCH in confidence at the project site on Friday that the work had stopped for some time but resumed upper week.

“We’re working on clearing the way for the rail line and erecting bridges. Our equipment is busy bringing sand, equipment, and materials to the site before we start installing the main railline,” he said.

Another worker, who also does not want his name in print because he is not authorised to speak to the press over the issue, nonetheless disclosed that the project, which was initially handled by the “Water Engine” Company, is now being executed by the Chinese Communication Construction Company.

The source told Arewa PUNCH “As you can see, the jackets, reflectors, helmets we’re wearing, all of them carry the name of the main company ‘Water Engine’,” the anonymous worker met at the site disclosed.

When asked about the location of the main rail station for the Dutse rail line in Jigawa State, the source clarified, “there were conflicting reports as some officials mentioned that other it would be located in Shuwarin town, while others said it would be located in Andaza town, according to the contract map.”

After several attempts to reach the Jigawa State Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Works, for his comment on the project, our correspondent’s efforts in that regard were in vain as he could not be reached.

However, a secretary at the Jigawa State Coordinator’s office confirmed that the coordinator was out of office for some official engagements but that the work on the railway project had indeed resumed.

“The coordinator is out of the office today (Friday), he’s currently out of the state for Abuja for an official business related to the office,” the secretary confirmed to our correspondent over the phone.

Source:- Punchng