The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved a sum of N453.90bn for the purchase of rolling stock, operation, and maintenance equipment for the Kano-Maradi standard gauge rail line, which is presently being built.
The Punch reported that the approved amount also includes N510.93m, which will be used to acquire four customised fire service and search and rescue vans.
These vehicles will be stationed at seaports in Port Harcourt, Lagos Port Complex, Tincan Island port, and the Marina headquarters of the Nigerian Ports Authority.
The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, revealed this to State House correspondents after the Council meeting that held this week. It was chaired by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The 248km railway line, which began construction in 2021, will pass through several cities including Kano, Kazaure, Daura, Mashi, Dutse, Jibia, and end in Maradi, the trade and agricultural center of Niger Republic.
Former Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, stated that the railway line will have 15 stations and is expected to have a daily traffic of 9,364 passengers and carry approximately 3000 metric tons of cargo.
Despite the progress made on the project, lawmakers have been resistant to it.
In November 2021, The Punch reported that the proposed railway project was criticized by the National Assembly Joint Committee on Land and Marine Transport.
Speaking about the approval on Wednesday, Sambo explained, “The memorandum sought council’s consideration and approval for the award of contract for the procurement of rolling stock, operation or maintenance equipment for the Kano-Maradi standard gauge rail line that is currently under construction.
“The contract was awarded to MSSRs Mota-Engil Nigeria Limited, who are the contractors handling this particular project in the sum of $984,722,302.5 inclusive of seven and a half per cent VAT with a completion period of four years.”
Another memo was presented on behalf of the Nigerian Ports Authority by the Transport ministry, as disclosed by Sambo.
It was “for the award of contract for the construction and supply of four customised Fire Service search and rescue vans for extrication of accident victims for Rivers Ports in Port Harcourt, Lagos Port complex, Tincan Island Port and the Marina headquarters of the NPA, all in Lagos.
“Council considered the memorandum and approved the award of the contract as recommended and reviewed by the Bureau of Public Procurement in the sum of N510,934,600 inclusive of seven and a half percent VAT with a completion period of nine months in favour of Messrs All Works Commercial Company Limited.”
