The Nigerian government is planning to seek funding assistance from the Chinese government for the construction of the Ibadan-Abuja and Kaduna-Kano rail projects.
The Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali made this known on Monday during an inspection of the Kaduna-Kano rail projects by the National Assembly joint committee on land transport.
He explained that Vice President Kashim Shettima was expected to engage with Chinese President Xi Jinping to secure funds for the rail projects, following directives from President Bola Tinubu.
Alkali asserted that the funding issues had stalled progress, stressing that the Federal Government had secured funds for the Kano-Kaduna segment.
The minister also hinted that the ministry was working with security agencies to deploy surveillance and ensure that rail infrastructures are not vandalised.
He said, “The President is desirous in ensuring that these projects are completed and being put into use because transportation is an enabler of economic growth and a gateway to the nation’s economy. It is, of course, one of the eight priority areas of the present administration.
“The president has directed the Vice president to engage President Xi in a bilateral discussion on the financing of Ibadan-Abuja and Kaduna-Kano rail projects. So far, Kaduna-Kano has been released. We are just trying to cascade the final stage for the drawdown of the loan so that they will have the financing. That of Ibadan to Abuja is also under very serious engagement with the Chinese government.
“The Ministry and the Nigerian Railway Corporation are working hard to ensure that these vandals do not destroy our properties. We are deploying so many major surveillances in conjunction with the security agencies to ensure that these properties are not allowed to be vandalised.”
