The House of Representatives has urged the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to include funds for the repair of the Zaria-Funtua-Gusau-Kauran Namoda rail line in the 2025 budget. This follows a motion by Hon. Dalhatu Shehu Tafoki, who pointed out that the rail line, established in 1926, is in bad condition.
Hon. Tafoki stressed the importance of the rail line for linking areas in Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara states and boosting trade and job creation. The House also asked the Committee on Land Transport to collaborate with the Nigerian Railway Corporation to address the rail line’s poor state.
The Zaria-Funtua-Gusau-Kauran Namoda rail line, one of the oldest in Nigeria, has been neglected for years, causing inconvenience for travelers and businesses.
Hon. Tafoki highlighted that repairing the rail line would not only improve transportation safety but also reduce the cost of moving goods and passengers. He emphasized that modernizing this vital infrastructure could enhance regional connectivity, promote economic growth, and create job opportunities, benefiting local communities and the larger economy. The House of Representatives believes that investing in the rehabilitation of this rail line is crucial for the country’s development.
