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General News of Wednesday, 13 January 2021

Source: www.mynigeria.com

FG signs $1.959bn for Kano-Niger Republic rail line

The Federal Government (FG) has signed a $1.959 billion contract for the start of the Kano-Maradi and Kano-Dutse railway project.

A personal assistant to President Muhammdu Buhari on broadcast media, Buhari Sallahu revealed this on Monday, January 11, 2021.

Representing the FG in the signing of the contract is the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi.

According to Rotimi, the project contract, Mota-Engil Group, has also agreed "to build a University as part of their CSR while working on the project."

The event happened in Abuja with Antonio Gvoea representing Mota-Engil Group in the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

"Today, we signed the contract documents for the commencement of the Kano-Maradi, Kano-Dutse railway project. The contractor, Mota-Engil Group, a Multinational Engineering & Construction firm has also agreed to build a University as part of their CSR while working on the project," Rotimi tweeted.

He also added that the 283.750-kilometre rail line will be integrated with road transport and would make a great contribution to the local economy as well as an important development in the social sector.

The minister who is a key cabinet of the present All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government said the rail line will help in developing freight and passenger transport.

He further added that project duration is for 36 months and the contract type is engineering, procurement and construction.

The minister also stated that the inauguration of the Lagos-Ibadan rail line has been put on hold due to the rising case of COVID-19 infection across the country.