RE: LAGOS-IBADAN RAIL – CONGRATULATIONS TINUBU!

Many readers have commented on last week’s piece on the fortunes (and misfortunes) of the Lagos-Kano Modern Rail Project. But some additional details first: Even though the Chinese are keen to loan Nigeria massive amounts of money for infrastructure projects, they are not very trusting of our flippant policy somersaults. Remember: For some reasons (which I will discuss some day in sha Allah), late President Yar’adua truncated the earlier original $8.3b Lagos-Kano rail contract which was signed and finalised by his benefactor, President Obasanjo.

In fact, the 25-year Rail Masterplan, designed since 2002 by a Canadian consultancy hired by the Nigerian Government, was delayed by Obasanjo until 2007 when he wanted to execute his abortive Third Term project. Had the Masterplan rolled out 18 years ago, by now we would be talking of the modern rail reaching Jalingo and Birnin Kebbi. The Lagos-Kano, the hub and backbone of the plan, was to take only four years, and all other routes westwards would have branched off it; the eastwards expansion would have branched off the Eastern Line Port Harcourt-Maiduguri.

Someone very close to this Project (who asked to remain anonymous) called me up to intimate me that the latest development is that, to be on the safe side, China’s NEXIM Bank (our major lender) offered to only finance EITHER the Kaduna-Kano Rail OR the Mambilla Hydro; an ECONOMIC DECISION to cut losses in case Nigeria defaults again in the future. The antidote to this should be a POLITICAL DECISION; the Nigerian President should immediately pick up the phone and call Chinese Leader Xi and, after pleasantries, reassure him that the Nigerian nation is fully committed to its sovereign obligations. Then he should proceed to ask that the Chinese fund both projects as there is no fear. China’s Ambassador to Nigeria should be with the President in the Villa.”

Mr. President, Handlers of Mr. President, Governors, Ministers, Senators, Traditional Rulers and others (as specifically suggested and listed last week) should see to this important political decision urgently! That phone call should be, must be, executed.

ALHAJI MOHAMMED TUKUR USMAN: The Lagos-Kano railway has always been, alongside the Trunk A1 highway going in the same direction, the principal transportation artery of the country. Its economic benefits can be fully realised only when it is operational along its whole length. A rail line that terminates at Ibadan doesn’t offer much benefit: haulage will be miniscule as against its potential, and passenger traffic will compete unfavourably with road transport on a newly reconstructed highway. A single loan agreement to cover the entire project was the rational way to go. It’s a mystery that while funding for the Ibadan-Kano section is still being fervently sought, government was able to obtain financing for the $1.96billion Kano-Kazaure-Daura-Katsina-Jibia-Maradi railroad. This project is the product of indulgence on the part of the Buhari administration. The fund allocated to it and the $2.10billion to be spent on rehabilitating the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri narrow-gauge line would be sufficient to fund the Kano-Kaduna rail line. But government knows better. You can not know what the array of elected officials from Kano did – or did not do – to draw attention to the issue, but it’s easy to recall how “Kano Gaba Dayan Ta” trooped to Abuja to thank former president Obasanjo for appointing one of its sons to head a major federal government agency. Why has there been no such deputation today on this existential matter?

1. SHEHU K.: Well done my Small Brother. Hope they will listen to you and do the needful. Continue what you are good at – advocating for us!

MOHAMMED MOHAMMED GOMBE: We are solidly behind you on the above subject. And we very much appreciate your effort in promoting fair distribution of resources and dividends of democracy. We have followed you since the first time you voiced your concern many years ago for the rail project to begin FROM BOTH SIDES. It is a good thing you are reaching out to Tinubu – who knows what tomorrow (2023) holds? In fact, let’s start lobbying him NOW since our own people are unmoved by our plight. Had this project gone the way it was planned as you narrated many times in the past, the modern rail could have since reached my hometown, Gombe! So, yes, congratulations to Tinubu on the successful completion of the Lagos-Ibadan axis, and we hope he will help us on the Kaduna-Kano axis and beyond. One good turn will deserve another in sha Allah.

MUHAMMED SULEIMAN KAURA: Thank you very much for this piece. In fact, we created a news story out of the article. We support all your suggestions 100%. May Allah help us all.

MUHAMMAD SANI: Millions of people in the North voted for the current government, but they were neglected and betrayed, as majority of the infrastructure projects can only be seen in the South. While we welcome equal development, there is need for equity. But such things no longer agitate our minds as we have ultimately given up on this government. Today, the Northern Region has become the most dangerous place to live on earth! It’s too much wallahi. Many of our people are saying they will never go out to vote again. Allah Ka na kallo!

IBRAHIM HARUNA GEIDAM: All along, your exhortations on ‘Gyara-Kayanka’ over the years are noted, and may Allah reward you. Since the time the Lagos–Kano Standard Gauge Rail Line was being negotiated financially with the Chinese financers, I have been following the trend of unfolding events. It was phased first as Lagos-Ibadan and Kaduna-Kano simultaneously. Then it became Lagos-Ibadan ONLY, and then Ibadan-Kano would follow. Lately, there is talk of ‘rehabilitation of Ibadan-Kano railway’ (the old line). Now finally we hear Kano-Daura-Katsina-Jibia-Maradi. Quite positively, your suggestions for both ends to start at the same time (Kano-Kaduna southwards to Lagos and Lagos-Ibadan northwards to Kano) would have been justice and equity. It would have been a ‘win-win’ concept. Alas! ‘Mai Uwa A Murhu’ has taken everything!