The Federal Government has said the Kaduna–Zaria–Kano standard gauge railway project has reached 90 per cent completion, identifying outstanding land acquisition and compensation claims in Kaduna metropolis as a major obstacle to completing the remaining link to the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Funso Adebiyi, disclosed this on Thursday during an inspection tour of the project sites, expressing optimism that the outstanding issues would soon be resolved to enable seamless train services from Abuja through Kaduna and Zaria to Kano.
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Adebiyi, who spoke aboard a train travelling from Jaji to Kano, expressed satisfaction with the quality of work, particularly the rail alignment, embankment protection, drainage, stone-pitching and soil stabilisation.
“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. The embankment protection work is also great,” he said.
He explained that elevation differences of up to six metres or more along some sections underscored the importance of proper soil stabilisation, compaction and embankment protection to ensure the railway’s safety and durability.
The Permanent Secretary also expressed delight at the smooth movement of the train during the journey towards Kano.
“I am quite delighted. I feel excited. I don’t feel I should come out of this train, honestly,” he added.
On the challenges affecting the project, Adebiyi said unresolved land acquisition and compensation claims within Kaduna metropolis had delayed completion of the remaining connection between Jaji and the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor.
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He assured affected stakeholders that the government was addressing the issue and that it would receive immediate attention upon the inspection team’s return to Abuja.
Adebiyi reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to completing the project as soon as possible, expressing confidence that passengers would soon enjoy uninterrupted train services between Abuja and Kano.
He disclosed that the inspected section covered approximately 145 kilometres of the broader 200-kilometre Kaduna–Kano route, with about 10 kilometres of work remaining on the stretch.
The Permanent Secretary further revealed that railway sections extending from Kano through Kazaure and Daura to Katsina were targeted for completion by December, with construction activities continuing around the clock to meet the deadline.
Meanwhile, the Director of Rail Transport Services in the ministry, Engr. Habiba Buhari, said the inspection was aimed at assessing the technical quality of the infrastructure ahead of finalisation and test runs.
According to her, the team examined track geometry, rail alignment, drainage facilities, concrete works and other components essential for passenger safety and comfort.
“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,” she said.
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Buhari added that the inspection also provided an opportunity to engage stakeholders as the project approached completion.
The Kaduna–Kano railway project is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to expand Nigeria’s rail network, improve connectivity between major commercial centres, facilitate passenger movement and support economic activities across the North-West, while providing an alternative to road transportation.