Federal Govt To Inaugurate Kano-Katsina Rail Line In December

The federal government has reaffirmed its determination to complete and commission the Kano-Katsina railway project by December 2026.

The government stated this during a joint inspection of the project by officials of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Federal Ministry of Finance, representatives of lending institutions among others.

The inspection involved the test running of the completed track from Kazauri to Katsina.

After the inspection, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Funso Adebiyi, represented by the director, Rail Transport Services, Engr. Habibat Buhari, said the project remained firmly on course despite some setbacks.

She said the rainy season had slowed construction activities slightly, but stressed that significant work had been accomplished.

According to her, the government was working to ensure that the remaining activities were completed within the approved timeline.

“We have done a lot of work for just one per cent physical progress,” she said, stressing that the project had reached a stage where major construction activities could be accelerated.

Also speaking, representative of the ministry of finance,  the director, Office of the permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Alhaji Muhammadu Kamal said government releases were being made as and when due and the federal government has released it 15 per cent counterpart funding.

He said the level of work already completed demonstrated the federal government’s commitment to fulfilling its financial obligations under the project agreement.

The senior country officer and representative of the Development Bank of Southern Africa, Siya Biniza disclosed that the bank had invested about $250 million in the project.

Biniza described the railway as a strategic infrastructure investment with significant potential economic benefits for northern Nigeria and the wider region.

Meanwhile, the contractor, Mota-Engil Nigeria, also reaffirmed its commitment to delivering the Kano-Katsina section by December 2026.

Representing the company and speaking in his capacity as chief financial officer, Vladislav Bystrenko said the first phase of the project, covering the Kano-Katsina corridor, was expected to be completed by December.