The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday disclosed that council accepted two memos to expand and consolidate on the ongoing rail projects, namely, Kano-Jibia rail and the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri route NEGROIDHAVEN has garnered.
The decision was taken at the weekly meeting of the council presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.
Osinbajo stood in for the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), who is currently in London.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who briefed on behalf of his counterpart in the transportation ministry, Rotimi Amaechi, said, “The first one actually has to do with the Kano-Jibia rail and then the other one has to do with the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri route.
“Actually, what was approved there today was funding to ensure that work starts immediately on those two routes. Another memo that was approved today was the ratification of the President’s approval for the award of the contract for the Lagos-Calabar coastal standard gauge rail.
“You’ll remember that this is a very old project which we inherited. Under the former administration, an approval was given, but nothing was done. Today, the council has given approval to commence the Lagos-Calabar coastal route.
He noted that the route was critical because after the Lagos-Kano route, the Lagos-Calabar coastal route would link all coastal cities in Nigeria.
He said the proposed route alignment would run from Lagos to Shagamu, Shagamu to Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Ode to Ore, Ore to Benin City, Benin to Sapele, Sapele to Warri, Warri to Yenagoa, Yenagoa to Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt to Aba, Aba to Uyo, Uyo to Calabar, Calabar to Akamkpa to Ikom, to Obudu Ranch; with a branch line from Benin City to Asaba, Onitsha Bridge and then Port Harcourt to Onne Deep Seaport.
He also disclosed that that the project would cost $11.17bn.
“This particular project is very important, especially for our coastal economy. The cost of the project is $11,174,769,721.74 and we have six years for the completion of this project,” he said.
