By Afolabi Oyekunle.
There is a reliable assurance that the on-going Kano-Maradi rail project will reach Katsina by December, 2025 and ready for completion by March 2027.
The Minister of Transportation, Sa'idu Ahmed Alkali said this yesterday at the second transport summit of the Transportation Correspondents Association of Nigeria (TCAN) in Lagos .
Alkali who was represented by the Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa, said the Kaduna-Kano and Kano-Maradi ongoing rail project has recorded appreciable execution progress from five per cent to 15 per cent at the inception of the present administration to over 50 per cent and 60 per cent.
He said that the ongoing rail modernisation projects from Lagos-Kano, the rehabilitated Old Narrow Gauge from Lagos to Kano and the ongoing rehabilitation of the Old Narrow Gauge from PortHacourt-Maiduguri with many more new projects like the High Speed Rail from Lagos to Abuja, Lagos to Kano and PortHacourt to Abuja are sufficient indicators of the press administration’s concerns for the development of the transportation sector in Nigeria.
He also mentioned that the Federal Executive Council recently approved the construction of one modern Bus Terminal in Abeokuta (South-West), Onitsha (South-East), Warri (South-South), Kano (North-West), Lokoja (North-Central) and Gombe (North-East).
This development, he said will help address the challenges of operational inefficiencies, intra-city traffic congestion, unregulated motor parks and safety harzards affecting passengers and transport operators across the country.
Also speaking, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, said the National Marine and Blue Economy Policy is aimed at reducing logistics costs, enhancing trade competitiveness, and unlocking private sector investments in Nigeria’s maritime and transport sectors.
Oyetola who was represented by Director of Maritime Services, Dr. Mercy Ilori
said the policy lays the groundwork for seamless integration across road, rail, barge, and pipeline networks.
“Our goal is to lower the cost of doing business, improve cargo turnaround times, and create a more attractive environment for private capital. This positions Nigeria as a logistics hub for West and Central Africa,” Ilori said.
She outlined key initiatives already in motion, including; Operationalisation of the Lagos–Ibadan Standard Gauge Rail line for cargo evacuation, Expansion of barge services at Lagos and Onne ports, Completion of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, and Commissioning of the 27km Lekki Port Access Road.
Oyetola also highlighted the development of inland dry ports in Ibadan, Kaduna, Kano, and Funtua as a strategy to decongest seaports and strengthen regional trade routes.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration between stakeholders including shipping lines, terminal operators, freight forwarders, investors, and regulators for the policy to succeed.
He further called for the adoption of digital, green, and climate-resilient logistics solutions to keep Nigeria competitive in the global market.
Earlier in his speech, Chairman TCAN, Tola Adenubi, said while Nigeria is still grappling with the absence of a national transport policy that should guide her modes of transport.
TCAN Chairman Tola Adenubi Centre with Guests.
According to him the pressure exerted on the fewer roads built by government (to last decades) by petroleum tankers and container carrying trucks have left many roads in sorry states, bringing up the question of adequate use of other modes of transportation to freight goods and services across the country.
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