Allott Consulting Nigeria Limited has announced the commencement of an environmental and social impact assessment of the proposed 2,854 kilometres Kano to Maradi Rail track project estimated to cost $1.9bn. This was disclosed at a stakeholders’ engagement workshop held in Kano.
The Managing Director of the consulting firm, Attahiru Usman, said the routes selected are located in western Kano, linking Lagos and Niger-Nguru, which will also link the northern states to the eastern part of the country.
The firm also said the rail track would link with the airport and from there to Danbatta, adjacent to the main road, which would also link Daura, the hometown of the President, via Kazaure, then to Jibiya.
Usman appealed to communities that would be displaced by the project to communicate their challenges to the appropriate authority.
While promising that the affected communities would be adequately compensated, he urged the leadership of the communities to cooperate with the construction firm when the project commences.
He called on the contractors, Mota – Engil Nigeria, to ensure that all international and local environmental regulations are complied with to ensure sustainable development that will improve the quality of life of the good people of Kano and beyond.
According to him, the project will offer employment opportunities to many unemployed youths.
Usman added, “The project, which will link Kano to Maradi, Jigawa, Katsina, Lagos will not only boost business activities but will open up the areas, as many ancillary projects will spring up within the adjoining communities.”
Speaking on the occasion, the Dan Majin Kano, Alhaji Inuwa Abbas Sanusi, urged the consultants to ensure that the route of the rail project links up the dry sea ports in the state, so as to have a direct impact on the commercial city of Kano.
The royal father thanked president, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) for selecting Kano to site the project, adding that it would further enhance socioeconomic activities in the West African sub-region and beyond.
