At the end of Phase 1, a network of six lines will connect more than fifty of the country’s major cities, with new regional lines extending across the country. Extension work, terminating at neighboring capitals, is to continue past 2020. NAIJARAIL will be one of the world’s premier transport systems, and by far the most advanced rail network of Africa.
‘With a projections maximum speed of 220km/hour, mainline service is expected to average 150km/hour across the entire network. Cost estimates from the 2008 plan require an outlay of more than US$200b over six years, or approximately US$25m per km.’
However, for now we have started somewhere…. there are lots of towns and states between Lagos and Kano… the trains will never be empty.
The railways from Lagos-Kano-Lagos means many things: Apart from the hundreds of humans transported, 27 tanker loads of petroleum products are being transported. That means 27 trailers/truck-laden (with) petroleum products are off the highways, reducing risk of fuel fires and wear and tear on the currently rehabbed roads.
It will also create wealth along lots of stops between Kano and Lagos as agricultural produce will now be more easliy couriered at less cost by farmers while petty traders along these routes can also make brisk business from passengers by selling recharge cards, foods, soft drinks, local fabrics like Aso Oke, etc, carvings, kilishi, suya, jallabiya etc… Sometimes we need to look beyond our noses Nigeria. – Transformation Watch.
