The federal government yesterday signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mota-Engil Group for the construction of $1.959 billion Kano-Maradi standard gauge railway lines.
The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, signed on behalf of the federal government while the Managing Director of Mota- Engil, Mr. Antonio Gvoea, signed on behalf of the contracting firm.
Amaechi, in statement made available to journalists in Abuja by the Director of Press of the ministry, Mr. Eric Ejiekwe, noted that the new railway corridor, will run through three states: Kano, Jigawa and Katsina and through Niger territory as far as Maradi.
Other cities that will be affected by the rail line in Nigeria are Danbatta, Kazaure, Daura, Mashi, Katsina and Jibiya.
“The 283,750 kilometre rail line besides developing freight and passenger transport, will be integrated with road transport and will make a great contribution to the local economy as well as an important development in the social sector,” the minister explained.
He added that the project duration is for 36 months and the contract type is Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC).