- NRC MD says Kano-Maradi rail boosts food security by improving supply chain mobility.
- Project aligns with AU’s push to connect landlocked countries.
- FG plans wider rail network; states can now build their own lines.
The federal government of Nigeria has explained why it’s linking a bridge from the country to Niger by rail.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Kayode Opeifa, said the Kano-Maradi Railway project is key to improving food security in Nigeria.
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Opeifa, on Saturday, said the rail connection between Niger and the Niger Republic was important because mobility could not be removed from the food supply chain as it was at the centre of food security.
The NRC MD said, “According to AU 2063, African countries are encouraged to link with landlocked countries because there is potential in those countries. By the way, from the literature I’ve read, the food security for Nigeria and West Africa in cereal and livestock is tied to Maradi. So, you can see the reasoning linking Kano to Maradi.
“Beyond that, if you take mobility out of the equation, you won’t have food security. When you take mobility out of logistics and supply chain, you are just joking, and that’s what Nigerian managers of our food security should understand.”
According to him, “Mobility is at the centre of food security, and that’s what the Kano-Maradi, which will now be Kano to Kaduna, Kaduna to Abuja, Abuja to Lagos, will represent.”
However, he noted that the government was committed to making sure major cities are connected through a new infrastructure map of rail, adding that there were plans by the Federal Government to introduce new rail lines across cities.
Nevertheless, Opeifa, said the rail system, having been moved to the concurrent list, has created opportunities for states to get grants to develop their rail lines.
He added, “The government now decided to do a new infrastructure map of rail, and that is to make sure major cities are connected.”
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In addition, the NRC boss said locals were involved in protecting rail infrastructure.
Opeifa said, “Now, the government is also aggressively pursuing. The Kano-Maradi, a lot of people don’t understand what that really is; what they hear is Maradi.”
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