Abuja, Jan. 27, 2023 – Nigeria on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Niger Republic on a joint rail project to link Kano in Nigeria to Maradi in Niger Republic.
Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, signed the MoU on behalf of Nigeria, while Niger’s Minister of Transportation, Alma Oumarou, signed on behalf of his country.
Sambo said the project would boost trade and other socio-economic activities between Nigeria and Niger Republic as well as West Africa.
He said it would also facilitate the realisation of the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement which Nigeria and Niger Republic were signatories to.
“I am aware that people have blood relattionships across borders, so this project will expand historical and cultural relationships between the people of Nigeria and those of Niger Republic.
“The project is also very important in enhancing inter-nation and continental trade,” he said.
Sambo said a technical committee would be set up within seven days in accordance with Article 3 of the MoU, adding that the nomination of members and inauguration of the technical committee would be concluded by the first week of February.
Oumarou, Niger’s Minister of Transportation, also said that the rail project would promote inter-nation as well as continental trade between the two countries.
Dr Magdalene Ajani, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation in Nigeria, said negotiations had been ongoing on the Kano-Maradi rail line in the last two years.
She said the MoU would facilitate the completion of the project. (GBN)
