284km Kano-Katsina rail project at 80 percent completion level — Ministry of Transportation

• Sets December 2026 for commissioning

The Federal Ministry of Transportation has disclosed that the 284km Kano-Katsina railway project is at 80 percent completion level.

Speaking after inspecting the project, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Engineer Funso Adebiyi, represented by the Director, Rail Transport Services, Engr. Habibat Buhari, said the project remains fully on course despite some setbacks.

She explained that the rainy season has slowed down construction activities slightly, but stressed that significant work had been accomplished.

The director stated that the current level of physical progress is around 80 percent, noting that materials required for tracklaying had been stockpiled at the project camp.

“We have done a lot of work and the project has reached a stage where major construction activities could be accelerated,” he said.

Buhari identified insecurity in some sections of the corridor and disputes over land and canal areas as the two major issues affecting the pace of construction.

“These will only cause delays, not stop the project. We have had similar cases in the past and they have been attended to,” she said.

She also disclosed that the government was intensifying engagement with affected communities, and other stakeholders to resolve the land-related disputes and enable contractors to move into the affected sections.

“Even if we don’t get all of it, at least we will 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 after the inspection,  the representative of the ministry of finance,  the Director, office of the permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Alhaji Muhammadu…