Minister Sets-up Team On Kaduna Metropolitan Rail

The minister of Transportation, Sen. Saidu Ahmed Alkali has directed the constitution of a technical committee consisting of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Nigeria Railway Corporation, Kaduna State Government on the development of a Memorandum of Understanding on establishment of a metropolitan rail mass transit scheme in Kaduna State.

The minister also assured the Kaduna State government of the ministry’s support as it seeks to embark on provision of metropolitan rail mass transit scheme for its citizens to alleviate transportation challenges occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal.

Sen. Alkali who made this disclosure during a courtesy visit by a powerful 8-man delegation from the Kaduna State Government to the ministry in Abuja stated that the ingenuity of the Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani to place primacy on viable means of transportation should be commended and given the necessary support it deserves.

Special adviser to the minister on media, Moh’d Ahmed Yidikawu said in a statement that the minister gave assurances of the ministry’s support and his interest to partake at every level of discussion that will enable the scheme commence.

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Speaking further, Alkali noted that “the initiative is timely as it is in consonance with Mr. President’s charge to state governors to proffer palliative measures to cushion the effects of petroleum subsidy removal on Nigerians. This is even as he urged other state governors to take a cue from this initiative.”

Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Kaduna State commissioner for Education, Prof. Muhammed Sani Bello stated that the reason for the visit was to acquaint and solicit for the minister’s support on the project, stating that the train mass transit initiative has the propensity to better the lot of the people and the state’s revenue base as a viable transport sector is the bedrock of development.

According to Bello, the request for federal government’s support for a collaborative effort on this initiative will actualize the state governor’s desire to connect various parts of Kaduna metropolis and environs with a network of rail services that are much cheaper and convenient.

Also speaking at the event, the managing director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Engr. Fidet Okhiria, informed the minister that Kaduna and Plateau States have approached the management of NRC and indicated interest to commence the programme as a way of cushioning the effects subsidy following the high rise in transportation cost.

Other members of the delegation included: Engr. Sani Askira, Dr. Mustapha Musa, the Managing Director, Kaduna State Mass Transit Scheme, Dr. Inuwa Ibrahim, Bashir Umar Lere, Commissioner for Public Works, Aminu Abdullahi Shagari, and Hamisu Abduljabbar Tukur.