JUST IN: Kaduna–Kano Rail Project 90% Complete, Says Adebiyi
…..as FG targets seamless train services from Abuja through Kaduna, Zaria to Kano
By OGB Joseph, Abuja
The Kaduna–Zaria–Kano rail project has reached about 90 per cent completion, with the Federal Government expressing optimism that the remaining work will be concluded soon to enable seamless train services along the corridor.
Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi, FNSE, who disclosed this during an inspection tour of the railway project, commended the quality of construction, describing the rail alignment, embankment protection, drainage and soil stabilisation works as excellent.
Adebiyi said the inspection was aimed at assessing the quality of the project ahead of its finalisation and test runs, noting that the construction had largely complied with the required specifications.
“I want to confess that the quality of work is next to none. The rail alignment apparently is excellent. The embankment protection work is great,” he said.
He also praised the water-training and stone-pitching works, explaining that the substantial changes in elevation along the route demonstrated the scale of the earthworks undertaken by the contractors.
According to him, some sections recorded elevation differences of up to six metres or more, making proper soil stabilisation, compaction and embankment protection essential to the safety and durability of the railway infrastructure.
Adebiyi said the quality of the work had left him impressed, adding that the ongoing train movement from Jaji towards Kano had been smooth.
“I am quite delighted. I feel excited. I don’t feel I should come out of this train, honestly,” he said.
He, however, identified outstanding land acquisition claims as the major obstacle delaying the completion of the remaining section linking Jaji to the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor.
The official explained that the settlement of compensation claims relating to land acquisition in Kaduna metropolis was critical to completing the outstanding link and achieving uninterrupted rail connectivity.
He assured affected stakeholders that the government was addressing the issue and that it would soon be resolved.
Adebiyi said the matter would receive immediate attention upon the team’s return to Abuja, adding that President Bola Tinubu was committed to ensuring the completion of the project within the shortest possible time.
He expressed optimism that passengers would soon be able to travel by train from Abuja through Kaduna and Zaria to Kano without interruption.
The Kaduna–Kano railway project is expected to strengthen transportation links between the North-West and other parts of the country, while improving passenger movement and supporting commercial activities along the corridor.
Providing further details on the project’s progress, Engr. Adebiyi said the section under inspection covered approximately 145 kilometres of the broader 200-kilometre Kaduna–Kano railway route.
Adebiyi noted that only about 10 kilometres of work remained on the stretch being assessed, expressing satisfaction with the progress recorded so far.
He also disclosed that the government was working towards completing the railway sections extending from Kano through Kazaure and Daura to Katsina by December.
According to him, work was continuing around the clock to meet the target and ensure that the additional sections were delivered as scheduled.
Meanwhile, Engr. Habiba Buhari, Director of Rail Transport Services at the Federal Ministry of Transportation, said the inspection was designed to evaluate the technical quality of the railway infrastructure ahead of the finalisation and test-running stages.
Buhari said the team examined the track geometry, alignment, drainage facilities and concrete works, alongside other elements relevant to the safety and comfort of passengers.
She expressed satisfaction with aspects of the work inspected, noting that the smoothness of the train movement provided an opportunity to assess passenger comfort.
“We are here to check the geometry, the alignment, drainage facilities, quality of concrete works which we have been doing. We just want to finalise and test-run,” she said.
She added that the inspection also provided an opportunity for engagement with stakeholders as the project approached completion.
The Kaduna–Kano railway is a major component of efforts to expand Nigeria’s rail transportation network, improve connectivity between major commercial centres and provide an alternative to road travel.
However, the timely resolution of outstanding land acquisition claims and completion of the remaining construction works will be crucial to meeting the government’s delivery target and commencing seamless services along the corridor.
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