- He noted that Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to engage with Chinese President Xi Jinping to secure funds
The Nigerian government plans to seek funding assistance from the Chinese government for the construction of the Ibadan-Abuja and Kaduna-Kano rail projects.
This announcement was made by the Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali, on Monday during an inspection of the Kaduna-Kano rail projects by the National Assembly joint committee on land transport.
Alkali explained that Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to engage with Chinese President Xi Jinping to secure funds for the rail projects, following directives from President Bola Tinubu. He asserted that funding issues had stalled progress but noted that the Federal Government had secured funds for the Kano-Kaduna segment.
Additionally, the minister hinted that the ministry is working with security agencies to deploy surveillance and ensure that rail infrastructure is not vandalised.
He said, “The President is desirous in ensuring that these projects are completed and being put into use because transportation is an enabler of economic growth and a gateway to the nation’s economy. It is, of course, one of the eight priority areas of the present administration.
“The president has directed the Vice president to engage President Xi in a bilateral discussion on the financing of Ibadan-Abuja and Kaduna-Kano rail projects. So far, Kaduna-Kano has been released. We are just trying to cascade the final stage for the drawdown of the loan so that they will have the financing. That of Ibadan to Abuja is also under very serious engagement with the Chinese government.