President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday flagged off the groundbreaking ceremony of the Kano-Katsina-Jibiya-Maradi railway project with a branch line to Dutse in Jigawa State.

Speaking virtually from the State House in Abuja, the president said that the project, when completed, will enhance economic activities, particularly the trans-Saharan trade between the two countries.

He urged private investors to take full advantage of the opportunity and engage in legitimate businesses aimed at transforming the nation’s economy.

The groundbreaking, which was held at Kwarin Tama village in Katsina State, was attended physically by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

Other dignitaries present include the Ministers of Interior, Information and Culture, Foreign Affairs, Heath, Science and Technology, the governors of Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, and Maradi in the Niger Republic.

Emirs of Katsina, Kano, Dutse, and top security heads of Nigeria and the Niger Republic were also in attendance.

The railway project is expected to connect three Northern states – Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa – then terminate at Maradi, Niger Republic

The rail line is also expected to financially empower Nigeria as the import and export hub for the Niger Republic and help the country compete favourably with other coastal West African countries in facilitating trade with the region’s landlocked countries.

In his address shortly after the ceremony commenced, Transportation Minister Amaechi said that the project had been conceived in 2015, adding that its scope allowed for a 25-kilometer extension into Niger Republic.

“The entire network of the project has 15 railway stations of different categories with major stations of approximately 3,000 filed passenger capacity in the cities of Kano and Katsina,” he said.

“And stations of standard category in Kazaure, Daura, Jibia, and Dutse with minor stations in Danbatta, Shargalle, and Mashi as well as power stations in Gunya, Kano Airport, Muduru, Daddara and at Hannun Mata and Maradi in the Niger Republic.

“The project will reach its substantial completion in the year 2023.

“There is no doubt that this route, when linked with the ongoing Lagos-Kano railway project on completion, will generate higher traffic volumes and revenue.”

The Governors of Katsina, Kano and Jigawa States have commended President Muhammadu Buhari for initiating the Kano-Maradi rail project.

The governors gave the commendation on Tuesday in Katsina at the Ground Breaking Ceremony of the railway project.

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, noted that the project was among several others provided by the Federal Government for the benefit of his people.

“Mr President, the government and people of Kano state will like to inform you that we are the greatest beneficiaries of your administration.

“We appreciate you for improving the infrastructure in the country, and particularly for Kano state, making it a mega city, commercial centre of the Northern part of the country and of some West African countries.

“Let me start by road transportation. The road between Kano, Kaduna and Abuja is going on and the work is fantastic.

“The road between Katsina and Kano, which is being dualised, the quality of the work is fantastic and the road between Maiduguri down to Kano, the work is also fantastic.

“Now you have taken us to the next level, the railway between Lagos, Ibadan, Kaduna and Kano is on.

“And you have added more feathers today, the railway between Kano, Katsina, Jibiya and Maradi in Niger Republic we are laying the foundation today.

“Our Airport in Kano has been expanded, so, what else do we need when we are talking of development, Mr President, we thank you for this milestone,” he said.

Also speaking, Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State said that people of the state were happy with the project and urged the contractor to complete the project on time.

On his part, the Jigawa Governor, Badaru Abubakar, said all the projects that were constructed in Kano and Katsina states were interconnected with Jigawa State.

He also commended the President for the rail project.

Abubakar recalled that the President had supported the 36 state governors with bailout funds, at a time about 27 states were unable to pay salaries.

He also said that Buhari had provided governors with funds for infrastructure development, as well as release of the Paris Club refund, among others.

“Whatever we achieved as governors, is because of the magnanimity of the President, ” Badaru said.

Among those who attended the occasion were the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir, Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero and Emir of Dutse, Nuhu Muhammad Sunusi.

Others were the Governor of Maradi in Niger Republic, Zakari Umarou, as well as ministers of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; Interior, Rauf Aregbesola and Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama.

Also present were members of the National Assembly, diplomats, among others.