The Federal Government (FG) through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, has inaugurated a high-level technical committee to critically review the proposed $200 billion Integrated Gas, Power and High-Speed Rail Project.
In his remarks, Sen. Akume emphasised the importance of the project in significantly transforming Nigeria’s transport infrastructure to enhance economic and industrial growth.
‘‘The proposed project, which is estimated at Two Hundred Billion United States Dollars (US $200 Billion) 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 connecting 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’’.
According to the SGF, 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.
He further 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.
The Technical Committee, which was chaired by the Permanent Secretary (Political & Economic Affairs Office), 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.
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.
In a statement issued by Chris Ugwuegbulam,
Head, Information & Public Relations, Ukoh explained 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.
