Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday inaugurated 2 locomotives and 10 additional coaches in a move aimed at boosting the country’s first completed standard gauge railway modernization project assisted by China.
Launching the coaches and locomotive engines provided by Chinese construction firm China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), Buhari said the aim of the government was to vigorously pursue rail development in Nigeria.
“We are moving forward to more efficient narrow gauge lines to be driven by the private sector, it’s on the basis of this that we are creating a more conducive environment for private sector participation,” Mr. Buhari said.
Today in Kaduna I'm pleased to commission 2 additional locomotives & 10 additional Passenger coaches for the Abuja-Kaduna Rail service; and to commission the new Inland Container Depot. Nigeria's infrastructure is being steadily upgraded, & our economy is set for jobs and growth.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) January 4, 2018
The Abuja-Kaduna rail line will link all the major commercial and production centres for rapid social economic development and national integration.
The standard gauge railway service was open for commercial operation on July 28, 2016, to provide the much-needed alternative transport link between the nation’s capital city and Kaduna, a corridor of growing labor force which has a huge potential for industries and agricultural activities, Xinhua reports.
With the help of Chinese operators, the current Abuja-Kaduna rail has safely operated for over 500 days, serving more than 500,000 passengers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhzYPSch-nQ
