Kano-Maradi Rail project to be completed by 2026 — Bola Ahmed Tinubu

 President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s plan to complete the 284-kilometre Kano-Jigawa-Katsina-Maradi rail line by 2026.

He made this known on Friday during the commissioning of the Katsina State Agricultural Mechanisation Centre and a 24-kilometre Eastern Bypass, both initiated by the Katsina State Government.

“The Federal Government intends to finish the 284-kilometre Kano-Jigawa-Katsina-Maradi rail project by 2026. Once completed, it will ease the movement of people and goods and help reduce pressure on our road network,” the president said.

Tinubu also announced that the government had awarded the contract for the rehabilitation of the Marabar Kankara-Dutsinma-Katsina Road.

In addition, the Zaria-Hunkuyi-Dabai-Kafur-Malumfashi-Dayi-Gidan Mutum Daya Road project has also been approved.

“We are committed to ensuring these projects are delivered as scheduled,” Tinubu stated.

He further assured the people of Katsina State that the second phase of the Katsina-Kano Road would also be completed, noting that previous technical and bureaucratic hurdles had been resolved and that work is now underway.

The president commended Governor Dikko Radda for the state’s advancements in agriculture and infrastructure.

Governor Radda, in his remarks, thanked the Federal Government for providing over 6,000 water-pumping machines for irrigation farmers.

He noted that the state had spent over N2 billion on the procurement of 448,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser for the 2024 farming season.

He also announced that from Monday, the government would commence distribution of approximately 400,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser for the 2025 season.

Radda added that the number of agricultural extension workers in the state had been significantly increased, rising from 72 to more than 778.