The Committee on Land Transport (NASS) of the National Assembly visited the Kaduna-Kano Railway Modernization Project supervised by the Federal Ministry of Transport under the supervision of the Honorable Minister of Transport, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali. The objective of the visit was to review the ongoing developments and appreciate the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Ministry and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his efforts in the land transport sector.
Minister Alkali addressed NASS concerns regarding vandalism of railway infrastructure and assured that the ministry is actively working with security agencies to protect railway lines from theft. He noted that thieves steal clips and sleepers almost daily. To address this situation, the ministry has advised its contractors on the Kaduna-Kano-Maradi rail corridor to use concrete formations instead of ferrous materials, which, although more expensive, is an effective deterrent against vandals.
During the visit, lawmakers proposed additional measures to combat vandalism. Senator Adamu Ailero suggested that government consider the death penalty for any vandal caught damaging public infrastructure.
Praise came from parliamentarians, including Senator Adamu Ailero and Honorable Blessing Onuh, who expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the Federal Ministry of Transport. They pledged legislative support to increase budget funding and ensure timely completion of the project by 2025, a year ahead of the original 2026 goal.
The inspection team included Senator Adamu Ailero, Senator Udende Emmanuel, Senator Tony Nwoye, Senator Maidoki Garba, Honorable Blessing Onuh (Chairman), Honorable Cyril Hart, Honorable Sani Yakubu, Honorable Danladi Suleiman, Ango Abubakar (Chief of Staff), Jokotoye Solomon ((Employee), Ali Tanko (Employee), Sunday Adelani (Employee) and Anigwe Simon Chukwuemeka (Employee).
At the beginning of the inspection tour, Minister Alkali highlighted the importance of policy makers seeing first-hand the progress and challenges in the expansion of rail services to Kano and Maradi in the Niger Republic. He noted that contractors CCECC and Mota Engil had difficulty obtaining the necessary loans for the project, financed mainly by the China Development Bank. Due to funding constraints, the government and ministry relied on budgetary reserves to meet their counter-financing needs.
Despite these challenges, Minister Alkali reported progress in loan negotiations with China. He noted that President Bola Tinubu had tasked Vice President Ibrahim Kashim to interact with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Although funds have been released for the Kaduna-Kano stretch, the ministry is finalizing the withdrawal of the loan. Serious negotiations are also underway with the Chinese government for the Ibadan to Abuja route.
The inspection visit involved trip from Zawaciki (Kano State) to Markafi (Kaduna State) to inspect the track laying as well as track laying base – Beam Plant and Sleeper Production Workshop. There was also a brief presentation by CCECC for Project and Pending Issues which was done aboard the coach of the train which conveyed the inspection team of Legislators and Ministry’s officials.
