Despite the controversy trailing Kano-Maradi standard gauge railway lines, the federal government, yesterday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mota-Engil Group on the construction of the US$1.959 billion project.
While Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, signed on behalf of the federal government, the Managing Director, Mota-Engil, Antonio Gvoea, signed on behalf of the contracting firm.
The new railway corridor will run through Kano, Jigawa and Katsina and through Niger territory as far as Maradi.
The statement issued by the Director. Press & Public Relations, Eric Ojiekwe, said other cities that will be affected by the rail line in Nigeria are Danbatta, Kazaure, Daura, Mashi, Katsina and Jibiya.
The 283.750 kilometre rail line besides developing freight and passenger transport as it will be integrated with road transport, would make 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. (Sun)