Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shipper’s Council, Emmanuel Jime (left); Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Fidet Okhiria, and Chairman Dala Inland Dry Port, Ahmad Rabiu, during the arrival of the minister for the inspection of ongoing Kano-Kaduna modernisation rail project, at the International Airport, Kano…yesterday PHOTO: NAN<br />

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, yesterday, cautioned the China Civil Construction Engineering Company (CCCEC) against playing politics with the Kano-Kaduna Standard Gauge Rail project.

The minister, who issued the warning during an inspection tour of the $1.2bn rail track construction in Kano, warned the Chinese company to rather focus on the task and deliver the project on schedule rather than dabbling into politics.

Amaechi who expressed disappointment with the pace of work at Yako and Zawachiki communities in Kiru and Kumbosto local councils insisted that the level of the job was not satisfactory.

The 203-kilometre double-track standard gauge railway from Kano to Kaduna is gulping $1.2b without variation on the scope of work agreed.

The Federal Government had contributed $220m to the project scheduled for completion in May 2023.

“The contractor should move away from politics and focus on completing the Kano-Kaduna railway. The speed is extremely slow and the equipment here is not enough. The contractor is supposed to move 2,000 types of equipment on sight, but what we have is 541.

“I know they will raise the issue of money, but part of their responsibility is to source for money to complete the project. The Chinese government has stopped funding the project in the last four years, but the company also has the responsibility to ensure that its gets funding for the project,” Amaechi noted.

The Minister also inspected the Dala Inland Dry Port at Zawachi quarters, under the supervision of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC).