The Nigerian Government has inaugurated a committee to review the proposed $200 billion Integrated Gas, Power and High-Speed Rail Project.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, inaugurated the committee in Abuja, Nigeria, noting that the initiative aims at revolutionising Nigeria’s infrastructure, bolstering economic growth and positioning the nation as a key player in the energy and transportation sectors.
He said the proposed project, is envisioned as a multi-phase programme that integrates gas development, power generation and transmission, and the construction of a 4,000-kilometre high-speed rail network.
According to him, the project will connect major economic corridors of the country, including Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt.
“The project has the potential to significantly transform Nigeria’s transport infrastructure, strengthen energy security, stimulate industrial growth and deepen national integration.
As you are aware, the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is firmly committed to delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes strategic infrastructure development, energy security, economic diversification, and sustainable job creation”.
“Projects of this magnitude must therefore be carefully evaluated to ensure that they align with national priorities, are technically sound, financially viable, and fully compliant with Nigeria’s legal and regulatory frameworks”, He explained.
The SGF emphasised that part of the mandate of the committee is to carefully examine all relevant documentation, verify claims made by the project proponents, review the technical, legal and environmental aspects of the proposal and provide objective, evidence-based recommendations to guide government decision-making.
While the Committee is expected to Federation, therefore, urged members of the Committee to approach the assignment with professionalism, objectivity and patriotism and also engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure due diligence and compliance with international best practices.
READ ALSO:Nigerian Railway Corporation Resumes Normal Fare Operations
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume therefore urged the Committee, to work diligently and submit its report within the timeframe that will be communicated by the Secretariat.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of
In his presentation of the proposed project, the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of De-Sadel Nigeria Limited, Mr Samuel Ukoh, described the project as an innovative endeavour that will change Nigeria’s transport infrastructure.
According to Mr Ukoh, the project is a 4,000km dual-track high-speed rail that cuts inter-city travel time by 75% and links all 36 states and the FCT, making Nigeria the second country in the world with such high speed rail.
He added that the first phase connects key cities, which include Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt, assuring that it would include the generation of about 3,500 megawatts of power to drive the high-speed rail system.
The Technical Committee, which was chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Political & Economic Affairs Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has the following membership: Permanent Secretaries from the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Ministry of Justice, and Federal Ministry of Environment.
Other members include Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), Director-General, Nigeria Governors Forum, Cenral Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Department of State Services (DSS), Debt Management Office (DMO), Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGoF) and Economic, Monitoring & Research Department (OSGF), as the Secretariat.
Leave a Reply