EXPECTED ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF KANO-MARADI STANDARD GAUGE RAILWAY LINE

Abstract

Transport infrastructure affects most aspects of regional economic development. This because most economic activities either depend on or use transportation means in the delivery of products. Nigeria plans to spend $1.959 billion on the 392 km Kano-Maradi standard gauge railway line. This paper examined the expected economic benefits of Kano-Maradi standard gauge railway line. The data for the analysis was collected from 324 merchants operating in the Kano-Maradi axis through structured questionnaire triangulated with observation and inspection. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, frequency tables and charts where applicable. The study found amongst others that transportation infrastructure like the Kano-Maradi standard gauge railway line is expected to attract more economic activities in the Kano-Maradi axis. The study recommends that the government of Nigeria should go ahead and speedily complete the project and not be deterred by the cost of the project as the long-term economic benefit of the project outweighs the cost of putting it in place. It is further recommended that government should ensure provision of goods wagons and freight operations along the routes when completed to cater for the trade inclined movements that Kano- Maradi is well-known for. Lastly, to further foster trade between Nigeria and Niger republic, the route should be extended to link the ports in Lekki and Apapa