By Wilfred Francis
The Federal Government has inaugurated a technical committee to review a proposed $200 billion integrated project combining gas development, power infrastructure and a nationwide high-speed rail network.Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, announced the committee’s formation, saying it will assess the feasibility and implications of the initiative before any decision is taken.
According to Akume, the proposal outlines a multi-phase programme that includes gas production, power generation and transmission, and a 4,000-kilometre high-speed rail system linking major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt.
He said the committee’s mandate is to examine project documents, verify claims by promoters, and review technical, legal and environmental aspects to provide evidence-based recommendations. Members of the committee include permanent secretaries from key ministries, as well as representatives from regulatory and financial institutions, security agencies, and other government bodies.
Akume urged members to ensure due diligence, stakeholder engagement and adherence to international best practices. Presenting the proposal, Samuel Ukoh, Managing Director of De-Sadel Nigeria Limited, said the project aims to significantly reduce inter-city travel time and improve connectivity nationwide. He added that the plan includes generating about 3,500 megawatts of power to support the rail system. The government has not yet taken a final position on the project, pending the outcome of the committee’s review.
