The Federal Government has reaffirmed its December 2026 commissioning target for the Kano-Katsina railway project, with the 284-kilometre corridor now about 80 per cent physically completed.
The renewed assurance followed a joint inspection of the project by officials of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Federal Ministry of Finance, lending institutions and the contractor, Mota-Engil Nigeria on Wednesday in Katsina State.
The inspection also featured a test run on the completed track between Kazauri and Katsina, providing stakeholders with an opportunity to assess progress on the strategic northern rail corridor.
Speaking after the inspection, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Funso Adebiyi, represented by the Director, Rail Transport Services, Engr. Habibat Buhari, said the project had remained on course despite setbacks arising from insecurity, land disputes and the rainy season.
Buhari said construction activities had slowed slightly because of the rains but noted that substantial work had been completed, while materials required for further track laying had already been stockpiled at the project camp.
“We have done a lot of work for just one per cent physical progress,” she said, stressing that the project had reached a stage where the remaining construction activities could be accelerated.
She identified insecurity along some sections of the corridor and disputes involving land and canal areas as the major challenges affecting the pace of construction.
According to her, security concerns had disrupted activities in some locations, while disagreements with some communities over provisions of the Land Use Act had also affected access to certain sections of the project.
“These will only cause delays, not stop the project. We have had similar cases in the past and they have been attended to,” Buhari said.
She added that the government was engaging affected communities and other stakeholders to resolve the disputes and allow construction to continue unhindered.
On the commissioning deadline, Buhari said the government remained determined to meet the December 2026 target, including ensuring that the necessary rolling stock was available.
“Even if we don’t get all of it, at least we get the ones to commission by December. We are targeting the commissioning of the project by December, God’s willing, and there is no going back. So we are on course,” she stated.
Also speaking, the Director, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Alhaji Muhammadu Kamal, said the government had continued to meet its financial obligations under the project agreement.
He disclosed that the Federal Government had released its 15 per cent counterpart funding, while 85 per cent of the financing was being provided through the loan facility.
Kamal said the level of construction achieved so far reflected the government’s commitment to fulfilling its financial obligations and ensuring delivery of the project.
The Senior Country Officer and representative of the Development Bank of Southern Africa, Siya Biniza, said the bank had invested about $250 million in the project.
Biniza described the railway as a strategic infrastructure investment capable of generating significant economic benefits for Kano, Katsina, northern Nigeria and the wider region.
Meanwhile, Mota-Engil Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to delivering the Kano-Katsina section by December 2026.
The company’s Chief Financial Officer, Vladislav Bystrenko, said the first phase covering the Kano-Katsina corridor was expected to be completed within the target period, while the extension from Katsina to Maradi in Niger Republic was projected for completion by the end of 2027.
He confirmed that the project had reached approximately 80 per cent completion.
