Nigerian government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Portuguese firm that will lead to the construction of a 284 km standard gauge railway line in the northern part of the country.
In a statement reaching Xinhua on Tuesday, Nigeria's Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who signed the MoU on behalf of the West African nation with the Portugal-based Mota Engil Group, said the $1.959 billion project will run through the northern states of Kano, Jigawa and Katsina and reach a city in the neighbouring Niger Republic.
Amaechi said the rail line would help develop freight and passenger transport as it would be integrated with road transport.
"It would contribute greatly to the local economy as well as the nation's social sector," the Minister said.
According to Amaechi, the duration for the project is 36 months and the contract type is engineering, procurement, and construction.
The Nigerian government has in recent years stepped up modernisation of its railway lines across the country, with a standard gauge railway line connecting the capital city Abuja and Kaduna commissioned in 2016 and another one connecting the economic hub Lagos and Ibadan that's expected to be commissioned in 2021.
Latest Stories
-
Ghanaians need honesty on the part of the government – Alhassan Suhuyini
12 mins -
We cannot compete; we need to collaborate – George Quaye on projecting theatre
25 mins -
GRIDCo to receive 100MW power supply from IPPs in coming days
32 mins -
How technology is weaving African markets into the global fabric
36 mins -
Dr. Ekua Ekumah highlights how to cultivate new theatre audience
46 mins -
Zambian FA president charged with money laundering
1 hour -
Mysstel releases video for ‘Paradise’
1 hour -
We are yet to receive an apology from Ashanti Regional Minister – ECG
1 hour -
UEFA International Tournament: Ernest Ofori scores for Black Starlets in defeat to Russia
1 hour -
Cocoa price surge linked to production decline – COCOBOD CEO
1 hour -
Atarah Praise returns on May 19 at Adenta Barrier
1 hour -
World Robotics Championship: 18 pre-tertiary students poised to win medals for Ghana at global competition
1 hour -
Drowned widow was scammed out of $1.5m on dating app hoax, left note about secret ‘double life’
2 hours -
ECG workers threaten to disconnect power from Ashanti Regional Minister’s home
2 hours -
Brain tumour shatters 20-year-old’s dream of becoming a doctor
2 hours