Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali has reaffirmed federal government’s readiness to collaborate with the Kaduna State government on the construction of light rail projects to further ease transportation system in the state.
The minister disclosed this when the Kaduna State governor, Senator Uba Sani led a delegation from the state to seek the collaboration of the ministry towards light rail development in the state.
Alkali noted that the desire of Kaduna State government to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Transportation to develop the light rail in Kaduna is not only apt, but timely.
The minister emphasised that the transportation sector is the gateway of the nation’s economy, stressing that no nation can fix her Gross Domestic Product (GDP) without an affordable transportation system.
According to him, “When I took over as the Minister of Transportation, I was directed by President Bola Tinubu to ensure timely delivery of all railway projects under the railway partnership.
“When Mr. President visited China for a state visit, he engaged President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China to ensure the delivery of our project from Ibadan to Abuja, and Kaduna to Kano and Port Harcourt to Maiduguri.
“I am pleased to inform you that we are going to deliver Kaduna to Kano segment of railway modification project by next year. Kano to Maradi with a branch line to Dutse by next year.”
The minister further gave the assurances of support under the directive of President Bola Tinubu that the ministry should collaborate with the sub-nationals to ensure the development of rail transportation sector.
He assured that the Federal Ministry of Transportation would cooperate with Kaduna State to ensure timely delivery of the Kaduna Light Rail.
The minister therefore directed the ministry’s permanent secretary to set up an engagement committee between the ministry, the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) and the Kaduna State Government on the design on how the light rail project would be developed.
Governor Sani had earlier in his remarks appreciated the minister for repositioning the rail transportation system within and outside the country.
Sani noted that the thrust of his visit was to further the state’s collaboration with the ministry and also thank the minister for giving the necessary support.
The governor stated that addressing transportation-related issues will no doubt address other pressing issues such job creation and enhanced productivity.
