By MUHYIDEEN JIMOH

The Federal Government says the Kaduna–Kano–Jigawa–Katsina–Maradi railway project has reached 60 per cent completion.

Mr Ali Bukar, Resident Engineer of the Federal Ministry of Transportation overseeing Section Two of the project, disclosed this during an inspection visit by the Presidential Media Team in Jigawa.

The team was led by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare.

The update is contained in a statement issued on Sunday by Mr Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information and Public Relations, State House, Abuja.

The inspection formed part of an ongoing assessment of federal and state government projects in the North-West, initiated by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors led by Gov. Hope Uzodimma.

Bukar said the project was progressing steadily across its two major corridors and was expected to be completed by December 2027.

He said construction activities had intensified along the Kano–Dutse axis, especially on bridge works across waterways and difficult terrain.

According to him, piling and substructure works for several bridges have reached advanced stages, while superstructure installations are ongoing at multiple locations.

The engineer said key milestones had also been recorded along the 104-kilometre Kano–Jigawa corridor and the branch line linking Kano to Dutse.

He added that track laying, earthworks and structural installations were progressing steadily.

Bukar said the project is being fully funded under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Scheme of President Bola Tinubu.

The Presidential Media Team also inspected other projects in Kano and Jigawa states, including the Tal-Udu interchange flyover in Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State and the ongoing concrete waterline project from Kapin Chiri Dam for irrigation.

In Dutse, the Jigawa capital, the team visited the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Skills Acquisition Centre and inspected tractors procured by the state government to support agriculture. (NAN)