(Project Workers. Photo Credit: The Sun Nigeria)
The Federal Government says it will finish and open the Kano-Katsina railway project by December 2026.
Officials made this promise during a site visit where they checked on progress and tested the completed track from Kazauri to Katsina.
The 284-kilometre railway is currently 80 percent complete.
Government officials, finance representatives and the contractor all agreed the project is on course despite some problems.
Rainy season weather has slowed work a bit but not stopped it.
Materials for laying track have already been stockpiled at the site so work can move faster now.
Two main issues are affecting progress.
Security concerns have disrupted work in some areas, and some communities are still arguing about land rights for the project.
The government said these problems will only cause delays, not stop the project from finishing.
Officials are talking with communities and other groups to resolve the land disputes so construction can continue in all sections.
The contractor said it is committed to completing the Kano-Katsina section by December.
Work on extending the railway from Katsina to Maradi in Niger will take until the end of 2027.
The Federal Government is paying 15 percent of the project cost while a development bank is covering 85 percent.
The government has already released all the money it owes 155 percent of its share.
A development bank has invested about 250 million dollars in the project.
Officials said the railway is an important investment that will bring real economic benefits to northern Nigeria and the wider region.
They said December is the target date for opening and they are confident it will happen.
