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The Federal Government revealed on Thursday that freight services may soon start operating on the Lagos-Kano narrow gauge rail line, as the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) announced that the line has been connected to the Zawaciki Dala Dry Port in Kano.
This announcement was made during the visit of the Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’id Alkali, to inspect the project in Kano State.
The Minister emphasized that the commencement of freight operations would help extend the lifespan of the nation's highways and reduce the number of fatalities from road accidents.
He expressed satisfaction with the work progress on the Kano-Maradi standard gauge rail corridor, noting significant improvement since his previous inspection.
The Minister also mentioned plans to divide the project for more efficient and rapid completion.
During his inspection, he visited various sites, including Kaduna-Kano, Dala Inland Dry Port in Kano, Kano-Maradi, Kazaure, Dambata, and Daura, where he inspected the Federal University of Transportation.
This inspection aimed to ensure compliance with timelines and specifications, and the Minister noted remarkable progress compared to his previous visit. The formation work, earthwork, culvert construction, and rail line preparation were observed, indicating significant advancement in the project.
