Nigeria’s federal and Kano state governments are in separate negotiations with the China EXIM Bank for multi-billion dollar loans to execute two rail projects.
While the federal government is negotiating for a loan of $1.2 billion for a new Kano-Kaduna rail line, the state government has asked the bank for 85 percent of the $1.85 billion it needs for an intra-city rail project.
This was revealed at the weekend during a visit by the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, to the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.
Mr. Amaechi said that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the construction of the Kano – Kaduna railway.
He said negotiation with China EXIM Bank on the project was expected to end this year to enable the construction begin.
“I think the president is doing that because the economy of Kano is also large in the country and between Kano and Lagos, we have about a total of 30 million tonnes of freight, and that will help in conveying some of them to Abuja, while we extend the construction to Lagos,” he said.
The minister further revealed plans to put more locomotives on the Lagos – Kano narrow gauge rail before June.
“We are trying to bring in about 100 locomotives to move between Lagos – Kano – Funtua and Port Harcourt – Gombe”.
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