President Buhari announced the construction of the rail line linking Kano to Maradi, Niger Republic in his new year address.
The minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi says the proposed rail line from Kano to Maradi, Niger Republic would open up the country to more economic activities.
President Muhammadu Buhari had announced the construction of the rail line linking both countries in his new year address on January 1, 2018.
The President’s announcement was greeted with wide criticisms from Nigerians.
But, addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, February 15, 2017, Amaechi said the volume of trade between Nigeria and Niger is low compared to that other countries due to lack of a Single Window which provides for the immediate clearance of goods.
He also blamed checkpoints of the road for the low trade volume between Nigeria and other West African countries.
“Currently, Niger Republic, Chad and others have abandoned the Nigerian market. They do not use our seaports again,” Amaechi announced.
“They go to countries like Benin Republic and they are growing the economy of those people and we do not have deep seaports in Nigeria. Benin Republic is the first to build a deep seaport in Nigeria.
“Nigeria is the only country in West Africa without a single window which allows the clearance of goods on the same day of arrival. Nigerians are now importing through Benin Republic, Lome and Ghana because they have a single window.
ALSO READ: Corruption will return automatically if PDP wins in 2019, says Amaechi
“The huge corruption in the system has made it impossible for us to adopt the single window. It is this government that is trying to this and for the past two years, this has been impossible.
“We are not competitive for two reasons. Our Police checkpoints from Lagos to Kano, Kano to Maradi. If we are going to be competitive like others, then we must have the same infrastructures that they have.
“With trains, there are no checkpoints thereby making the movement of people and goods faster than the road. Also, Maradi is just a border town not like it is deep into the town," he said.
The minister noted that the Nigerian government would take full responsibility for the rail construction.
“The Niger government is not contributing to the project and they do not need to do so. We have to also provide the same infrastructure that makes them go to other countries for business. Those countries already have the access and that is why Niger can go there go there for business,” Amaechi said.
The minister also that the increase in the number of coaches and locomotives at the Abuja-Kaduna rail has curbed the issue of ticket racketeering.
He maintained that inadequate funding is affecting the performance of his ministry.
http://ift.tt/2ipd1FL