The Federal Government is set to send 300 Nigerians to Portugal to study railway engineering, the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi has disclosed.

This is in addition to the 300 sent to China in 2019.

According to Amaechi, the 300 to be sent to Portugal will study the technology in the building of Kano-Maradi rail line.

The Minister disclosed this via a Twitter post on Monday ahead of the ground-breaking for the construction of the rail line.

He said, “In 2019, we sent 300 Nigerians to China for training in Railway Engineering.

“This year, we’ll be sending another 300 to Portugal to study the technology in the building of the Kano-Maradi rail-line, which is purely European.”

“The ground-breaking ceremony would formally kick off work on the 284km standard gauge rail project to be undertaken by Messrs Mota-Engil Nigeria Ltd, a Portuguese firm.

“The Project traverses Kano-Dambatta-Kazaure-Daura-Mashi-Katsina-Jibiya-Maradi in Niger Republic.

The line, according to the Minister, has been designed to pass through major cities, towns and villages without dividing them to facilitate public transportation and stimulate the development of the agricultural economy and manufacturing industries along the corridor.

The project is planned to have a total of 15 stations including Maradi which comprises two main stations in Kano and Katsina, three medium stations in Kazaure, Daura and Jibiya, three small stations in Shagalle, Dambatta and Mashi, with other Halt stations at the Airport, Kunya Dube, Muduru, Daddara, Anoal Mata and Maradi.

“The rail line which has a branch line to Kano-Dutse is important because of it potential in harnessing raw materials and agro products along the corridor.

The ground breaking which will be done by Mr. President Muhammadu Buhari will be attended by the Minister of Transportation of Niger Republic, Governors, Ambassadors, Ministers of both countries and other stakeholders in the sector.

ohigus:
God bless Nigeria

ChelseaArmy:
Buhari till 2023
to all wailers food don come
God bless Nigeria God bless Buhari and God bless the next president of Nigeria the Jagaban

speakeroftruth:
If you’re still criticizing this Kano-Maradi rail line project after listening to the Economic impact of the project by the Transport Minister, then you’re not being constructive in your criticism. Why not counter his claim with logical arguments, than argue without facts?

The Minister clearly stated Nigeria is not doing too well as compared to other coastal States in West Africa. Reason being that countries in the Hinterland are afraid to use our roads. In avoiding that, they use Ghana, Togo, Benin etc.

Siting of projects can either be Politics or Economics. Clearly it’s not Politics as the The Minister is from Rivers State and the President is from Katsina State. How do you make our seaports competitive without providing those Hinterland States ease of transportation? If you have a better alternative, then let’s hear it.

But the Peoples Democratic Party and had described the project as a misplacement of priority.

ChelseaArmy:
Buhari till 2023
to all wailers food don come
God bless Nigeria God bless Buhari and God bless the next president of Nigeria the Jagaban

Redoil:
send 300 people from arewastan to Portugal to do what

In his first public comments on the matter since PREMIUM TIMES exposed the scandal in July , Mr Amaechi dismissed widespread criticisms that trailed the process, saying what mattered was that Nigerians were given the opportunity to be trained in China, not how they were selected.

Although this newspaper could not establish that the youth currently on scholarship in China were the same ‘connected youth’ who got their scholarships through the controversial process, the ICPC was told by CCECC officials that only the candidates nominated by ministers and other top officials of the Buhari administration were allowed to take part in the selection interview and made the final list.

"..However, only the candidates nominated by ministers and other top officials of the Buhari administration, and who were allowed to take part in the selection interview, made the final list, officials of the construction firm told the anti-graft age.."

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/278221-exclusive-ordinary-nigerians-lose-buharis-ministers-win-as-ccecc-concludes-railway-scholarship.html

ManirBK:
Good project and we are proud of the achievement God bless Nigeria

ChelseaArmy:
Buhari till 2023
to all wailers food don come
God bless Nigeria God bless Buhari and God bless the next president of Nigeria the Jagaban

ChelseaArmy:
Buhari till 2023
to all wailers food don come
God bless Nigeria God bless Buhari and God bless the next president of Nigeria the Jagaban