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Kano-Maradi Rail Project Will Cost $1.9 Billion, Amaechi
Kano-Maradi rail project will cost $1.9 billion, Nigerian Government to source for it in Europe, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi says.
The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has said that the Kano-Maradi (Niger Republic) rail project will cost the Nigerian government $1.9bn.
The minister said this on the Channels Television’s Sunday Politics. “The project is going to cost us $1.9bn and we will source it from mostly Europe,”
While giving this projection, he however noted that the country has not secured the money, stressing that “we are about concluding.”
On how long it will take the country to repay the loan, the 58-year-old explained that it is not within the jurisdiction of his ministry but noted that the railway project will commence on Tuesday.
“That is the responsibility of the Ministry of Finance. When we would pay; what are the terms of agreement for the loan and all that would be the responsibility of the Ministry of Finance,” the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain added.
“So, that question can be directed to the Minister for Finance. For us in Transportation, our job is to work with the Ministry of Finance to procure the loan. We also work with them to commence construction and we think we would commence construction on Tuesday.”
He explained that the project will enhance foreign investors to turn their attention to the country. He argued that it is for the best interest of Nigeria for the construction of the Kano-Maradi railway.
“The interest is national; the interest is about Nigeria. The Maradi terminal is just 20 kilometres away from Nigeria; just 20 kilometres. So, there is no huge investment like Nigerians are thinking,” Amaechi said.
The Minister also spoke about politics in the country. He dismissed suggestions that some Nigerians are touting him as the next president. Meanwhile, he prophesied that only God knows Nigeria’s next leader.
“I am still the Minister for Transportation and only God can tell who will be the President of Nigeria in 2023,” he added.
Matthew Chinwike Enyinnah
February 10, 2021 at 01:00
You said there is no huge investment like Nigerians are thinking in the Marradi terminal, then why spend $1.9 billion to construct that only 20 km railways from Kano to Marradi(Niger republic) ?