GOVERNORS of the 19 Northern states have commended President Mohammadu Buhari for modernising the Kaduna-Kano Railway line, a move they say will connect states and boost trGiving the commendation in Kano State Thursday, July 16, 2021 Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum (NGF) and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong also said the action shows Buhari’s determination to transform the economy of the country through the entrenchment of rail transportation as a major means of moving people and goods.
Lalong who was speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the third segment of Lagos Kano railway modernisation project performed by President Muhammadu Buhari said the Kaduna-Kano segment of the railway line is crucial to the development of Nigeria and particularly the Northern Region which has a lot of economic activities and a large population.
“The vision of reconnecting all parts of the country by rail is a great legacy for the Buhari Administration which must be supported by all Nigerians” the NGF Chairman said assuring President Buhari of the support of all Northern Governors in the process of constructing, managing and safeguarding the rail infrastructure within the region.
President Muhammadu Buhari expressed delight that the Kaduna-Kano leg of the railway modernisation project is taking off after the successful deployment of the Lagos-Ibadan and Abuja Kaduna segments and other rail segments across the country.
According to the President, the Kano-Kaduna construction is part of the general plan to link the seaport with inland ports that will provide more opportunities for businessmen to import goods and receive them in the hinterland, thereby decongesting the ports and saving time and resources.
Speaking at the forum, Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi said the groundbreaking ceremony is a confirmation of the success story of the Buhari administration in reviving the railways and giving Nigerians a new lease of life.
He said the line will have one of the biggest stations in Nigeria which will serve passengers of the Kano-Maradi route, adding that “over twenty thousand jobs will be created in the cause of the construction of the Kaduna-Kano rail.
