By Omeiza Ajayi
ABUJA: The Federal Government on Thursday inaugurated a technical committee to conduct a critical review of a proposed $200 billion Integrated Gas, Power and High-Speed Rail Project.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who inaugurared the committee, said the massive infrastructure initiative is designed to modernize Nigeria’s transportation landscape, secure its energy future and establish the nation as a dominant force in the regional economy.
In a statement by the Head of Information and Public Relations at the OSGF, Chris Ugwuegbulam, the SGF underlined the transformative nature of the investment, noting that the initiative aims at “revolutionizing Nigeria’s infrastructure, bolstering economic growth and positioning the nation as a key player in the energy and transportation sectors.”
He explained that the project, estimated at $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 SGF emphasized that the project holds immense promise for the federation, stating it has “the potential to significantly transform Nigeria’s transport infrastructure, strengthen energy security, stimulate industrial growth and deepen national integration.”
To ensure the proposal is viable, the committee was tasked with a rigorous mandate 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.”
Senator Akume called on the committee members to execute their duties with “professionalism, objectivity and patriotism,” while ensuring they “engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure due diligence and compliance with international best practices.”
The committee is chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Political and Economic Affairs Office and includes a broad coalition of leadership from the Ministries of Transportation, Petroleum Resources, Finance, Justice, and Environment, alongside security and regulatory agencies such as the EFCC, DSS, and the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Providing technical details on the proposal, the Managing Director and CEO of De-Sadel Nigeria Limited, Mr amuel Ukoh said the project is an “innovative endeavour that will change Nigeria’s transport infrastructure.”
He revealed that the plan involves a “4,000km dual-track high-speed rail that cuts inter-city travel time by 75% and links all 36 states and the FCT.”
Ukoh also noted the integrated energy component of the plan, “assuring that it would include the generation of about 3,500 megawatts of power to drive the high-speed rail system,” thereby ensuring the network operates independently of the national grid.
