Buhari commissions Abuja–Kaduna rail

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, commissioned the $1.457 billion Abuja-Kaduna rail services. The president said the federal government would link all states and commercial centres in the country with rail lines. The president later took a train ride from Idu to Kubwa, a suburb of Abuja.
The 186.5 km standard gauge track built by the China Railway Construction Corporation has double lines. The Abuja-Kaduna route has nine stations and the train can travel at up to 150 km per hour.

Meanwhile, Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, has expressed confidence that the Abuja–Kaduna railway service will decongest the overpopulated Federal Capital Territory (FCT), arguing that employees can live in Kaduna and work in Abuja.

Speaking during the commissioning of the Standard Gauge railway service, the minister described it as the actualisation of the change agenda of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
“As we gather here today, we recall that the contract for the construction of this railway was awarded by President Olusegun Obasanjo, partially executed by President Goodluck Jonathan and completed by President Muhammadu Buhari,” Amaechi said.

“The tracks were inspected and commissioned by President Jonathan, but, under the directives of President Buhari, the stations, signalling, communication and part of the tracks were completed by this administration. The locomotive and coaches arrived in May, and between June and July we  commenced trial runs. We conveyed over 500 passengers per trip, twice a day for a month and two weeks free of charge.
“As you officially flag-off the commercial activities on the Idu-Kaduna segment of the Lagos-Kano railways, we remind Nigerians that the change agenda imparts on housing as the poor are able to live in their houses in Kaduna and come to work in Abuja.

“At the same time, it impacts on agriculture and economy as agricultural produce are conveyed from Kaduna to Abuja at much cheaper rates. Transportation is also provided to Nigerians who live between Kano and Abuja at a cheaper rate. I hope that when the Kaduna-Abuja Road is maintained, it will last longer as heavy cargo is now conveyed by rail.
“Let me express my gratitude to the Chinese government and the China Nexim Bank for their financial support. The same gratitude goes to my colleague, Mrs Femi Adeosun for discharging her responsibility as directed by Mr President.
“Most importantly, it is the priority attached to transportation by the President, of which we are very grateful. We are also grateful to the contractor CCECC for keeping fate and doing a good job,” the minister noted.