The Nigerian government has approved the $11.17 billion Lagos-Calabar coastal standard trajectory and confirmed the contracts for the Kano-Gibbia and Port Harcourt-Maiduguri lines.

These projects were announced by the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Mohamed, who briefed local reporters after the Federal Executive Committee (FEC) chaired by Vice President Yemio Simbajo on August 4. Mohamed said that during the meeting, two memoranda were approved, including the President’s approval of the Lagos-Calabar line contract.

“This particular route is very important because after the Lagos-Kano route, this Lagos-Calabar coastal route will connect all the coastal cities of the country,” he said. The government announced in July that London-based Standard Chartered Bank had agreed to provide US$11 billion in financing for the line after the previous agreement with the Export-Import Bank of China failed. The Federal Ministry of Transport signed an agreement with the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) in May 2014 to construct the line.

The route will start from Lagos-Sagamu-Igeb-Od-Ore-Benin City-Sapele-Wali-Yenogoa-Port Harcourt-Abba-Uyo-Kara Bar-Akampa-Obudu Ranch, branch line from Benin City to Agbor, Ogwasi-ukwu, Asaba, Onitsha and Onitsha Bridge and from Port Harcourt to Onne Deep Sea Port. The project will be constructed in two phases, the first phase will run between Calabar and Port Harcourt, and the second phase will run between Port Harcourt and Lagos via Onica.

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The project will include the construction of 1402 kilometers of lines, as well as 22 stations and ancillary facilities, administrative spaces and level crossings. Other works include the installation of safety systems, electrical systems, lighting systems and signal systems, as well as the laying of tracks and wires. The second memorandum approved the funds for the work of the Kano-Gibbia and Port Harcourt-Maiduguri lines, which are under construction.Editor/Baohongying