FEC approves N454bn for Kano-Niger Republic rail
The Federal Executive Council has approved N453.90 billion for the purchase of rolling stock, operation and maintenance equipment for the Kano-Maradi standard gauge railway line currently under construction.
Transport Minister Mu’azu Sambo revealed this to State House correspondents on Wednesday, March 22, after this week’s Council meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa in Abuja.
The sum approved also includes N510.93 million for the purchase of four customized search and rescue/fire trucks at the seaports of Port Harcourt, Lagos Port Complex, Tincan Island Port and the Marina Headquarters of the Nigerian Ports Authority.
The 248 km railway line will pass through Kano, other cities such as Kazaure in Bauchi State, Daura and Mashi in Katsina State; Dutse in Jigawa State, the border town of Jibia, before ending in the commercial and agricultural center of the Republic of Niger, Maradi.
According to a former transport minister, Rotimi Amaechi, the line has 15 stations on its route with an expected daily traffic of 9,364 passengers and around 3,000 metric tons of cargo.
However, the project has encountered resistance, particularly from lawmakers.
However, on Wednesday, Sambo said, “The memorandum sought board review and approval for the award of a contract for the purchase of rolling stock, operation or maintenance equipment for the railway line. Kano-Maradi standard gauge which is currently under construction.
“The contract has been awarded to MSSRs Mota-Engil Nigeria Limited who are the contractors for this particular project for the sum of $984,722,302.5 inclusive of seven and a half percent VAT with a period of execution of four years.”
Sambo also disclosed that the Ministry of Transport had submitted another memorandum on behalf of the Nigerian Ports Authority “for the award of a contract for the construction and supply of four Custom Search and Rescue Vans fire extrication of accident victims for Rivers Ports in Port Harcourt, Lagos Port Complex, Tincan Island Port and NPA Marina Headquarters, all in Lagos.
Sambo said: “The Board has reviewed the memorandum and approved the award of the contract as recommended and reviewed by the Public Procurement Office for the sum of N510,934,600 including seven and a half percent VAT with a period of performance of nine months in favor of Messrs. All Works Commercial Company Limited.
