Kaduna-Kano Rail Project Hits 90%, As FG Moves To Resolve Delays

The federal government has put the Kaduna–Zaria–Kano standard gauge railway project at approximately 90 per cent completion, identifying outstanding land acquisition and compensation issues in Kaduna metropolis as a major obstacle to completing the remaining connection to the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor.

The permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Funso Adebiyi disclosed this during an inspection of the railway project, including a train ride from Jaji to Kano.

Adebiyi said construction had progressed significantly along the corridor, with about 145 kilometres of the broader 200-kilometre route inspected.

He added that approximately 10 kilometres of work remained on the inspected stretch.

He said the government was addressing the outstanding compensation issues and that the matter would receive immediate attention when the inspection team returned to Abuja.

According to him, resolving the issues would help facilitate the connection between the Kaduna–Kano railway and the existing Abuja–Kaduna rail line, paving the way for more direct train services between Abuja and Kano.

The permanent secretary expressed satisfaction with the quality of construction, particularly the track alignment, drainage systems, embankment protection, stone pitching and soil stabilisation.

He noted that elevation changes of up to six metres along some sections highlighted the scale of earthworks required and the importance of ensuring adequate compaction and embankment protection for the railway’s long-term safety and durability.

“I want to confess that the quality of work is next to none. The rail alignment apparently is excellent. When you look through the window, you see a sharp change in elevation, some as high as six metres, which tells you the volume of earthwork that is done,” Adebiyi said.

He added that the smooth movement of the train during the inspection offered an opportunity to assess the condition of the track and the comfort of passengers.

Adebiyi said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was committed to completing the project, expressing optimism that passengers would soon be able to travel by train from Abuja through Kaduna and Zaria to Kano without interruption.

He also disclosed that railway sections extending from Kano through Kazaure and Daura to Katsina were targeted for completion by December, with construction activities continuing round the clock to meet the deadline.

Also speaking at the inspection, the director of Rail Transport Services in the ministry, Engr. Habiba Buhari said the inspection was designed to evaluate the technical quality of the infrastructure ahead of finalisation and test runs.

She said the team examined track geometry, alignment, drainage facilities, concrete works and other components that could affect the safety and comfort of passengers.

“We are here to check the geometry, the alignment, drainage facilities, quality of concrete works which we have been doing. We just want to finalise and test-run,” Buhari said.

She added that the exercise provided an opportunity to engage relevant stakeholders as the project approached completion.

The Kaduna–Kano railway is expected to improve rail connectivity across parts of north-western Nigeria, facilitate passenger movement between major commercial centres and provide an alternative to road transportation.