…Nigerians disagree, say ulterior motives behind extension of rail line to Niger
THE Federal Government says it approves the extension of rail construction from Lagos-Kano-Katsina to Marradi in Niger Republic for economic and commercial benefits.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed gave the explanation on Friday when he featured on Nigeria Television. Authority (NTA) live programme, “Good Morning Nigeria”
The programme which focussed on “Nigeria at 60: Matters Arising” was monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Specifically,the Minister said the rail extension is intended for Nigeria to take economic advantages of import and export of Niger Republic, Chad and Burkina Fasso which are landlocked countries.
Mohammed said contrary to the disinformation by some commentators on the rail extension project, the decision was taken in the economic interest of the country.
NAN reports that some Nigerians have queried the rationale behind Nigeria borrowing so much to fund the infrastructure of a neighbouring country.
The Minister, however, explained: “I think there has been a lot of disinformation and total lack of information over that linking of Lagos, Kano, Katsina railway to Marradi”
“The wisdom behind it is that Niger, Chad Burkina Faso are all landlocked meaning that they do not have access to the sea.
“What this means is that most of their imports and exports have to go through neighbouring countries’ seaports like Cotonou in the Benin Republic, Togo and Ghana.
Because we do not have a road infrastructure that will encourage Niger republic to use our seaports, we believe that we will be able to take over their imports and exports with the rail linkage.
“The simple reason therefore is to strengthen the economy of Nigeria,” he said.
Mohammed explained further: “For now, Niger Republic used seaport of Benin Republic, Togo and Ghana and the exporters go through the stress, challenges and time of being on the road from Cotonue, Lome or Accra to their country.
“But when you look at the distance by rail by the time we link them from Katsina to Marradi, it will be easier for us to take over the business.
“There is nothing like territorial expansion, it is purely economic,we are taking advantage of proximity and efficiency of rail system”.
The Minister further explained that the distance from Jibia the Nigeria border town with Niger Republic to Marradi is a few kilometre and there is existing business relations between the people at both border town’s.
He admonished critics of government policies and decisions to always seek clarifications before going to town to misinform the public.
Mohammed equally said that government will keep engaging in more conversation to enlighten the public on its policies, programmes and decisions.
NAN recalls that the Federal Executive Council on Sept. 23 approved over 1.959 billion dollar for the construction of the rail line from Kano to Marradi in Niger Republic.
The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi who disclosed this to State House correspondents said the rail line designed to take off from Dutse in Jigawa, Katsina and Jibia will terminate in Marradi.
Source: NAN.
For Nigerians, The Rail Line To Niger Republic Is For Ulterior Motives And No Economic Value
Nigerians echoed the approval of the rail line between the country and Niger with widespread disapproval. Below, are two such views that went viral social media:
NIGER RAIL PROJECT, ITS PERCEPTIONS AS AN ECONOMIC WASTE.
Rail line costing $2B.
These are the most important stats regarding trade with Niger republic
Niger Republic Trade Statistics 2018
EXPORT:
#1 UAE: $296m
#2 China: $159m
#3 Burkina Faso: $16.2m
#4 Ghana: $8.85m
#5 Switzerland: $7.07m
IMPORT:
#1 France: $122m
#2 China: $115m
#3 Nigeria: $111m
#4 Côte d’Ivoire: $97.5m
#5 India: $93.1m
#StatiSense
(OEC)
Now let’s look at 2016 data
$108m worth of imports by Niger.
But, how much of this trade value is logistics/transport?
Assuming all $110m (I won’t try to project the 2020 $ value) goes to transport, how long till the $2bn rail line investment is repaid????
Second question: What is the basis for infrastructure? Is there a road linking the cities where the proposed train lines traverses? If so, why build a rail?
Assuming the rail isn’t free, who will fund it? From what resources? How would that investment pay for itself? Can the $ be put 2 beta use????
Third Question: What is the economic importance of Kano-Dutse-Katsina-Jibia and to Maradi in Niger Republic when compared to Lagos port-Benin-Asaba-Onitsha-Aba and to Port Harcourt port route?
How much of Buhari’s economic policies are hinged on Medieval Ethno-religious sentiments, as against pure undiluted economics…. Free marketing etc?
Fourth question: what I’m talking about is the economic viability because we will borrow the money for this.
Can we repay the loan with the traffic expected from the route?
Important metrics for consideration
1. Nigeria 2019 GDP: $448.10
Niger Republic 2019 GDP: $12.93
According to McKinsey, the GDP of the Port Harcourt, Warri, Benin City, Aba, Enugu and Onitsha cluster is $63bn, close to Lagos’ $68bn.
So BUHARI is effectively saying that leaving a railroad from Calabar or PH-Aba-Nnewi-Onitsha-Makurdi-Jos-Kano to go build a railway to a country that has almost the same GDP as Rivers state is a fantastic idea,
Incredible?
Former Gov Jang’s position on the transnational Railway Project saga.
*THE REAL REASON FOR THE TRAIN TO MARADI!!!*
When I was governor, they brought some Fulani people in trucks to Wase. When the security report got me, I told them to send the people back to wherever they were coming from and there were noises everywhere that Jang did not want people in Plateau. My former colleague in Niger was the one who made the loudest noise over the issue. Surprisingly, when the same people landed in Minna, Niger State, he also put them in trucks and sent them back. Now, it is happening everywhere and has even gone to the southern part of the country. The Yoruba speaking states in the South-West irrespective of party differences have united, established Amotekun security outfit and sending the Fulani and their cows out of their states.
The question is: where are these Fulani people from? We have lived with Fulani people without any problem. My father’s neighbours were Fulani and when I was growing up, out of curiosity, I used to follow their children to tend to cows in the bush and there was no problem. We know the kind of cows they rear. But the kind of cows we see today is different from the ones Nigerian Fulani used to rear; something is wrong somewhere. What is happening is not a secret; people are being brought from Mali, Chad and all over to come and occupy native land. Is it somebody’s agenda to create a territory for some people in Nigeria
Has the Nigerian situation ever made you shed tears?
I think I have shed enough tears when I was governor over the situation of things, in the state and the country at large. Let the others who are now in office shed the tears if they love the people they are governing. I know how many times I shed tears in my bedroom as a governor. Sometimes, women would wake me up with a telephone call about people who had been killed. At a point, I had to ask God if it was what he made me a governor for – to always bury my people who were being killed and had no power to do anything about it. That was why I started crying out for states to be allowed to have their own police.
-Ex-Governor Jonah Jang
( Punch Newspaper 27th September 2020)
