The Nigeria-Niger Republic railway project may be at risk following the diplomatic rift between Nigeria and Niger after the July 26 coup in which President Muhammed Bazoum was ousted from office by military officers led by Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani.
President Muhammadu Buhari administration in 2021, embarked on plan construct of a 284km rail line to the Niger Republic. And according to the former minister of transport, Rotimi Amaechi, the project was estimated to cost the country about $2bn and would be funded by Nigeria through loans from external sources.
Sometime in March, before the expiration of the Muhammadu Buhari administration a whooping N454bn additional funds was released Which the former transportation minister, said would be used to purchase rolling stock, operation and maintenance equipment for the Kano-Maradi standard gauge rail line, which is currently under construction.
With the diplomatic face – off between Nigerien federal government and ECOWAS planned military intervention against the Niger military junta and the immediate closure of all land borders between the two countries, the multibillion railway project, which is been financed with foreign loan will remain an abandoned projects and a waste of public fund.
According to reliable sources, over 1,000 trucks conveying goods worth over N500m through Nigeria and other West African nations have remained trapped at the borders for over a week following the closure of the respective gateways to the two neighbouring countries.
Nigeria’s border with Niger still largely remains porous and poorly policed by the Nigerian Custom and Immigration Services, it is been insinuated that there will be an increasing and potential spread of terrorist activities into the country following the breach in the bilateral relationship between the two African nations.
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