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nairaland.net • View topic - FG to Construct New Rail System For Lagos-Kano Route
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FG to Construct New Rail System For Lagos-Kano Route

PostPosted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 3:02 pm
by Richard Akindele
A new railway system is to be built in Nigeria, minister of transport Dr. Abiye Sekibo yesterday.

Briefing journalists in Abuja on the outcome of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the state house Abuja yesterday Dr. Abiye Sekibo said after his ministry's presentation, the council agreed funding for the first phase between Lagos and Kano be worked out. The project he said is expected to be completed in three years, and is the largest mass transport engineering project suggested in years. Brand new rail lines would have to be laid running from the Tin Can Island, Apapa, Lagos to Kano.

The project will be done in five sections, with construction starting on each section simultaneously, he said. The line will be 1,010 kilometres long and run through Abeokuta- Ibadan- Oshogbo- Ilorin- Minna- Kaduna-Zaria and Kano, and another link from Abuja to Kaduna which he said will give the country a system that will be suitable. Lagos to Ibadan he added will be 181 kilometres, I badan to Ilorin 200kilometres, Ilorin to Minna 270 kilometres, and Minna-Zaria - Kano 360 kilometres, while Minna to Abuja and Kaduna 305 kilometres.

The proposed route will go through some of the toughest terrain in which to build a railway, with steep slopes reaching the maximum gradient possible for engines to run on. The maximum passengers trail speed he said is expected to be 150 kilometres per hour. Freight trains coming from the port will travel at 80 kilometres per hour. Dr. Sekibo said his ministry presented three deferent scenarios which are either to have a single track from Lagos to Kano or to build a single tack but had to prepare the ground for all like Bridges, Culverts for double lines, this will involve laying the single lines and later in future lay the second lines.

The third scenario he added will be to construct new double lines for the rails, the council he said directed his ministry to come back next week with the financial implications for each of the three options to enable it take and form decision.

If implemented, the Transport Minister said it is expected that the country would be able to run 36 trains from Lagos to Kano and Kano to Lagos per day on daily basis of which if approved by the council Nigeria will be moving about 40 metric tones of goods per annum he said. With him at the briefing were his Minister of state Alhaji Mohammed Habibu Aliyu, the Minister of Works Dr. Obafemi Anibaba and the Minister of Information and Orientation Mr. Frank Nweke Junior.

Daily Trust