FG spends N3.5 bn on rehabilitating Zaria-Kaura Namoda rail lines

The Federal Government has spent over N3.5 billion on the rehabilitation of the Zaria-Funtua-Kaura Namoda rail lines, Senator Sahabi Ya’u, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport, said on Saturday.

Ya’u told newsmen in Kaura Namoda, Zamfara that government was doing its best to make transportation easier for the people in spite of the costly nature of constructing rail lines.

He said the federal government decided to embark on the rehabilitation of existing rail lines to facilitate movement of goods and people until when it could provide modern rail lines.

Ya’u said the construction of a modern rail line linking Kaduna and Abuja had reached 80 per cent completion, while a contract had been awarded for that of Lagos to Ibadan.

“Businessmen and civil servants who choose to live in Kaduna while working in Abuja can conveniently travel to Abuja, finish their businesses at the close of work and return to their families.

“These trains run at a speed of about 200 kilometres per hour. So, within an hour, a traveller between Kaduna and Abuja can reach his destination at high comfort and at very little cost,” Ya’u, who represents the Zamfara North Senatorial District, said.