Despite official assurances that the Kano-Maradi Railway Project has attained 60 per cent completion and remains on course for delivery by December 2027, observations at a major construction site in Katsina State indicate that significant work remains to be done.
A visit to Kwarin Tama site camp, one of the project’s active construction locations in Katsina State, revealed that work is largely concentrated on station structures, bridge foundations, earthworks and the preparation of the rail corridor while actual rail track installation is yet to commence in all locations.
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Transportation, recently announced that the Kano-Jigawa-Katsina-Maradi railway project had reached 60 percent completion and would be delivered by the end of 2027.
According to officials, construction has advanced significantly across key sections of the corridor.
However, findings from Kwarin Tama depicted more cautious picture. Construction crews were observed working on station buildings and laying the foundation upon which tracks will eventually be installed, but no rail tracks have yet been laid at the section.
Most of the camp sites at Daura, Mashi, Shinkafi and Kwarin Tama appeared to be operating under tight security, with security personnel stationed around the facility and along access points to ensure the safety of workers, equipment and project infrastructure.
The presence of security operatives reflects the importance attached to the project and the need to safeguard ongoing construction activities in the area.
Further observations indicate that construction activities have not yet reached parts of Jibia Local Government Area, one of the strategic points along the railway corridor before the line crosses into neighbouring Niger Republic.
Efforts by this reporter to obtain comments from officials of the construction company and project personnel at the site were unsuccessful.
Workers and aides approached during the visit declined to speak, explaining that they were not authorised to grant interviews or discuss details of the project with members of the press.
Industry experts note that railway construction involves several stages beyond earthworks and station development, including ballast placement, track laying, signalling systems, telecommunications infrastructure, testing and commissioning. These stages often require substantial time and resources.
The Kano-Maradi railway, a standard-gauge line spanning approximately 387 kilometres, is designed to connect Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Jibia and Maradi in neighbouring Niger Republic.
The project is expected to boost regional trade, passenger movement and economic integration between Nigeria and Niger.
While government officials maintain confidence that the project remains on schedule, observations from Katsina suggest that meeting the December 2027 completion target may require a significant acceleration of work, particularly in track installation and expansion of construction activities toward Jibia and the international border.
For residents and stakeholders along the route, the coming months will provide a clearer indication of whether progress on the ground can match the ambitious timeline announced by authorities.
The pace of work observed at Kwarin Tama suggests that substantial construction milestones will need to be achieved over the next eighteen months if the government’s target date is to be met.
