Kaduna rail-based mass transit: 12 developers prequalified

The quest by the Kaduna State Government to create a rail-based mass transit system is closer to actualization as 12 companies have been prequalified as developers and operators of the system. French, German, Canadian, Indian and Chinese companies top the list of the companies seeking to clinch the five lots that will constitute the metropolitan rail network. Eighteen companies had submitted bids in response to a government advertisement for expressions of interest by investors to build a rail-based mass transit network in metropolitan Kaduna. French giant Alstom, German heavyweight Gauff, several Chinese corporations and a consortium led by the Infrastructure Bank are among the bidders.

The Kaduna State Executive Council has considered the report of the bid evaluation committee, and has approved that the 12 companies who scored highest in the bid evaluation should be invited to submit preliminary designs, business plans and evidence of financial capability within the next 21 days. Companies prequalified for the next stage are: China Railway 14th Bureau Group; Alstom, Gauff Gmbh, CCECC, SREI Infrastructure Finance, Atom Services, China Railway International Group, Sino-Hydro Corporation, the Infrastructure Bank, China Camce Engineering, China Rail/Medhal and Daxi SA Charleroi.

The designs and business plans submitted by these 12 companies will be further evaluated to select the preferred and reserved bidders for each of the five routes envisaged for the rail network. The proposed routes are:

• Green Line (Urban Rail A): Millennium City to Rigasa, through Katsina Road
• Orange Line (Urban Rail B): Mararaban Rido via Sir Patrick Yakowa Way to Jabi Road
• Red Line (Urban Rail C): Mararaban Rido to Zaria Expressway via Ahmadu Bello Way
• Yellow Line (Urban Rail D): Sabon Tasha to Mando through Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway
• Pink Line (Urban Rail E): Kakau to Rigasa

The Kaduna State Government has decided that the development of a rail-based mass transit network will be the legacy project in which the state will invest its share of the N10bn that every state has been allowed to borrow long-term from the CBN at 9% interest.