FG, Chinese Partners To Revitalise High-Speed Rail Network Across Nigeria
The Federal Government has restated its unwavering commitment to revolutionising the nation’s transportation sector through the construction of a 4,000 km high-speed rail network that will connect key economic corridors, enhance trade, and promote national integration.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, CON, made this known in Abuja when he received in audience the management of De-Sadel Nigeria Limited and their financial partners, China Liancai Petroleum Investment Holdings Limited, during the formal presentation of a $60 billion proof of funds for the project.
SGF described the meeting with the investors as highly encouraging, noting that the proof of funds for the initial phase of the project would undergo the necessary verification processes in line with standard government procedures.
Also speaking, the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’idu Alkali, underscored that the project aligns with the Ministry’s mandate to provide safe, secure, efficient, and affordable transport services, while advancing the President’s vision to attract foreign investment into critical infrastructure.
The Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, assured the investors of the Federal Government’s readiness to provide adequate gas supply to power the project, highlighting Nigeria’s proven reserves of 210 trillion cubic feet of gas and an additional 600 trillion cubic feet in deep offshore deposits.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of De-Sadel Nigeria Limited, Mr Samuel Uko, explained that the project would be executed in phases, with the first phase covering Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt—approximately 1,700 kilometres. He noted that completed sections would be opened to the public ahead of the scheduled 36-month completion period.
The Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr Jobson Ewalefoh, emphasised that the submission of proof of funds was a statutory requirement for projects of this magnitude, assuring that the Commission would carry out a thorough review and validation to ensure the financial and technical viability of the proposal.