The federal government said the Nigeria-Republic of Niger railway line will boost trade and other socio-economic interactions between the two countries and on the continent.
Transport Minister Mu’azu Jaji Sambo affirmed this in Abuja at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the project between Nigeria and the Republic of Niger.
The minister signed for Nigeria while the Minister of Transport of the Republic of Niger, Alma Oumarou, signed for her country.
The minister noted that the railway line, which will start in Kano State in Nigeria and end at Maradi in the Republic of Niger, will facilitate the realization of the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement to which Nigeria and the Republic of Niger are signatories. .
He said: “I am aware that people have blood relations across borders, so the project will broaden the historical and cultural relationship between the people of Nigeria and the people of the Republic of Niger. The project is also very important to improve international and continental trade”
The ministry’s director of press and public relations, Henshaw Ogubike, further said that the minister explained that a technical committee would be established within seven days in accordance with Article 3 of the MoU, adding that the nomination of members would be finalized and the inauguration of the technical committee. for the first week of February 2023.
According to him, after its inauguration, the technical committee will take over the facilitation and execution of the project.
Speaking earlier, Oumarou stated that the railway project will promote international and continental trade, strengthen cultural ties between the two countries and create jobs.
