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Nigeria opens discussion on concession of old rail lines

Xinhua, January 25, 2017 Adjust font size:

The Nigerian government has opened discussion with the General Electric (GE) and other companies on the planned concession of the old narrow gauge rail lines in the country, a top official said Tuesday.

Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi said the government was currently negotiating with GE and other companies that had showed interest to take over Lagos-Kano and Port Harcourt-Maiduguri narrow gauge through concession.

Amaechi had in 2016 expressed the government's determination to revive the old narrow gauge across the country through concession.

"The negotiation is on and we are at the level of talking and it is only after then that we can talk of the deal," he said.

The minister also confirmed that the government had released counterpart funding for Lagos-Ibadan Rail, adding that the government had also gotten approval from China Exim Bank.

The new coaches to be deployed on Abuja-Kaduna rail line will arrive between February and March, he added.

"We are doing everything possible to ensure that passengers are able to use the train from Abuja to Kaduna and from Kaduna to Abuja," he said. Endit