Abuja Light Rail

Abuja Light Rail is a project that is underway to build a light rail transport system in Abuja in FCT, Nigeria. The first phase of the project will connect the city center to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, stopping at the standard gauge railway station in Idu. The project is 77% complete as of July 2016 and is expected to be launched in December 2017.[1]

Routes

The complete network is planned to link Abuja with satellite towns such as Nyanya, Kubwa, Mararaba and Lugbe.

Project

President Olusegun Obasanjo performed the official groundbreaking ceremony in May 2007.[2] The project was originally linked to the city's bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2014.[3]

However, lack of funds delayed the project by many years. A construction contract was awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, but as of November 2010, they had only received 20% of the promised amount from the government.[4]

Initially, diesel rolling stock will be used; electrification will be undertaken when electricity supplies are more reliable.[4] Rails will be imported; sleepers are being produced locally.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Abuja Light Rail to be inaugurated in December 2017 - FCT Minister". Vanguard NGR. 27 July 2016.
  2. ↑ "Nigeria: Obasanjo Flags Off $841m Abuja Railway Project". allAfrica. May 8, 2007. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
  3. ↑ "Abuja 2014 Commonwealth Games Bid – New Sponsor, Railway". GamesBids.com. May 8, 2007. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
  4. 1 2 "COMMUTER AND LIGHT RAIL IN ABUJA". Railways Africa. November 19, 2010. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
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