The Federal Government on Thursday inaugurated an inter-agency committee to assess the feasibility of a proposed $200bn gas-powered high-speed rail project spanning about 4,000 kilometres across Nigeria.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, inaugurated the panel in Abuja, stating that the committee would evaluate the credibility of the proposal submitted by a consortium led by De-Sadel Nigeria Limited in partnership with China Liancai Petroleum Investment Holdings Limited.
Akume said the proposed project would involve the construction of a 4,000-kilometre high-speed rail network linking major economic corridors, including Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt, while integrating rail infrastructure with gas development, power generation, and transmission systems.
He stressed that a project of such scale must undergo rigorous technical, legal, and financial scrutiny before any approval is granted to ensure alignment with national priorities and regulatory requirements.
According to the SGF, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation had already received inputs from security, financial intelligence, and regulatory agencies, making a coordinated inter-agency review necessary.
He explained that the committee’s mandate includes verifying the financial claims of the promoters, assessing proof of funds, and reviewing the technical, legal, and environmental components of the proposal.
The panel will also evaluate the financing model, competence of technical partners, regulatory compliance, and potential security and financial risks associated with the proposed public-private partnership arrangement.
Akume added that the committee would consolidate observations from security and financial intelligence agencies to identify possible national security, financial crime, and reputational risks, and recommend mitigation measures where necessary.
He noted that the committee is expected to submit an objective, evidence-based report to guide the Federal Government’s final decision on the proposed project.