ABUJA, Dec 30 (NNN-NAN) — The Nigerian Federal Government has signed a contract with engineering firm Costain West Africa PLC for the rehabilitation of the Jebba-Kano rail line.

The contract, worth 12.2 billion Naira (about 81.2 million USD), is to be completed in 10 months.

Speaking at the signing ceremony here Tuesday, Minister of Transport Alhaji Isa Bio said other contracts had been awarded as part of a comprehensive effort to revitalise rail transport in the country.

He said pressure on the roads would be reduced and the rate of accidents on roads would decline if the government focused on rail transport.

“We expect that we will increase our Gross Domestic Products (GDP) to become one of the strongest economies by 2020 through rail transportation,” he said. “That is why this administration has ensured that the sector is one of the key areas in the President's seven-point agenda.”

According to the minister, the first phase of the rehabilitation was the rail line from Lagos to Jebba while the second phase was from Jebba to Kano.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr Bello Muhammed, said the event had confirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to making life more meaningful to Nigerians.

“I will like to assure everyone that the contract, like others before it, will be properly executed in good time,” he said.

The Chairman of Costain West Africa PLC, Kola Kareem, thanked the government for engaging the company in the contract, saying the project would be completed within the stipulated time. — NNN-NAN