TheCable

The federal government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Mota- Engil Group, a multinational engineering and construction company, for the construction of $1.959 billion Kano to Maradi (Niger Republic) rail line project.

Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation, signed the agreement on behalf of Nigeria while Antonio Gvoea, managing director of Mota- Engil Group, signed on behalf of the firm in Abuja.

The new rail line, located in northern Nigeria, will run through Kano, Jigawa and Katsina states and terminate in Niger Republic territory. 

It will link cities such as Danbatta, Kazaure, Daura, Mashi, Katsina and Jibiya in Nigeria.

“The 283.750 kilometre rail line besides developing freight and passenger transport as it will be integrated with road transport, will make a great contribution to the local economy as well as an important development in the social sector, ” a statement by Eric Ejiekwe, director, press and public relations, ministry of transportation, quoted Amaechi to have said.

The minister noted that the project will be completed in 3 years.

The signing was witnessed by Magdalene Ajani, permanent secretary, transportation ministry; Pius Oteh, the ministry’s director of legal services and Cameron Beverley, head of legal, Mota- Engil Group.

Kola Abdulkarim, director, Mota- Engil Group; Yusuf Tuggar, Nigerian ambassador to Germany; Hadiza Bala-Usman, managing director,Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), among others were also present at the signing.

Photo News: Signing of Memorandum of Understanding with Mota-Engil Group on the construction of US$1.959 billion Kano-Maradi Standard Gauge Railway lines.
The Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi today in Abuja
signed on behalf of the Federal Government pic.twitter.com/Fb7uirY5N0

— Federal Ministry of Transportation (@MinTransportNG) January 11, 2021