Buhari had justified the decision of his government to construct a rail line linking Nigeria with the Niger Republic despite criticisms that trailed the announcement of the plan.
The Muhammadu Buhari government has budgeted a total sum of N30,759,220,905 to complete the ongoing construction of the New Standard Gauge Rail Line: Kano-DayiI-Katsina-Jibiya including reaIignment to Dambata-Kazaure-Katsina-Jibiya-Miradi in Niger Republic and other ongoing railway projects under the ministry of transportation.
SaharaReporters gathered this after a careful perusal of the Appropriation Bill 2023 which was presented before the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari last Friday.
According to the document, the government has earmarked 30,759,220,905 for the following railway project:
“1: Completion of Abuja-Kaduna. 2. segment 2: ongoing completion of Lagos-Ibadan and its associated additional works. 3. rehabilitation of Itakpe-Ajaokuta rail line and construction of 12 nos station building and tracks laying works at railway ancillary facilities area Agbor. 4. completion of addendum 2a and railway ancillary facilities area Agbor. 5. design, manufacture, supply and installation of rolling stock, supply of spareparts and maintenance equipment for the ongoing railway modernization project.
“6. installation of signal and telecommunication system on Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri railway line. 7. installation of acoustal sensing security surveillence system for the Abuja (Idu)-Kaduna railway system. 8. completion of feasibility studies for new standard gauge rail line: Kano-Dayi-Katsina-Jibiya including realignment to Dambata-Kazaure-Katsina-Jibiya-Maradi In Niger Republic. 9. completion of feasibility studies for new standard gauge rail line: Kano-Nguru-Gusu.”
The government further budgeted N1,500, 000, 000 for “multilateral/bilateral project-tied loans and their consultancy: 1. implementation of Kaduna-Kano 2. implementation of Ibadan-Minna-Abuja. 3. construction of Kano-Maradi (Niger Republic) railway project with line to Dutse in Jigawa State. 4. construction of Port Harcourt to Maiduguri eastern railway project, Bonny deep sea port and Port Harcourt industrial park project. 5. construction of Abuja-Itakpe and Aladja (Warri)-Warri Port and refinery including Warri New Harbour.”
In 2021, Buhari had justified the decision of his government to construct a rail line linking Nigeria with the Niger Republic despite criticisms that trailed the announcement of the plan.
Speaking during an exclusive interview broadcast on Arise TV, Buhari said the government’s decision to connect Niger with Nigeria by rail through Kano was to allow his Nigerien relatives easily have access to Nigeria.
“I have cousins, family members, etc., in Niger Republic. I shouldn’t just cut them off,” Buhari said.
He also cited the transportation of oil from the neighbouring country to Nigeria and job creation as other reasons for constructing the rail line.
The Nigerian government in January 2021 signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Mota- Engil Group, a multinational engineering and construction company, for the construction of the $1.959 billion Kano to Maradi (Niger Republic) rail line project.
Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation, signed the agreement on behalf of Nigeria while Antonio Gvoea, managing director of Mota- Engil Group, signed on behalf of the firm in Abuja.
The rail line is expected to run through Kano, Jigawa and Katsina states and terminate in Niger Republic territory.
“The 283.750-kilometre rail line, besides developing freight and passenger transport as it will be integrated with road transport, will make a great contribution to the local economy as well as an important development in the social sector,” Amaechi had said.
SaharaReporters in January obtained a document detailing how President Muhammadu Buhari's government procured 10 Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles for officials of Niger Republic with public funds.
From documents seen by SaharaReporters, the Nigerian government, through the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, approved N1,145,000,000 for the purchase of 10 Toyota Land Cruiser V8 vehicles, for government officials in the Republic of Niger.
The contract was awarded to one Messrs Kaura Motors Nigeria Limited and approved by President Buhari on February 25, 2022.
In August, the Nigerian government confirmed that President Buhari approved the purchase and donation of the vehicles to neighbouring Niger Republic.
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, who confirmed this, stated that the donation was to help Niger address its security concerns.
She said such donations by Nigeria to its neighbours were common.
Ms Ahmed said it is the president’s prerogative to take such decisions after a careful assessment of the situation
“Let me just say that over time, Nigeria has had to support its neighbours, especially the immediate neighbours, to enhance their capacity to secure their countries as it relates to us,” she said while answering questions.
“This is not the first time that Nigeria has assisted Niger Republic, Cameroon or Chad.
“The president makes an assessment as to what is required based on the request of their presidents. Such requests are approved and interventions are provided.
“It is to enhance their capacity to protect their countries, as it relates to security and also to Nigeria.”
Ms Ahmed said she understood the concerns of Nigerians about the matter since it became public.