By JOHN NWOKOCHA, Abuja

The Ministry of Transportation has said that construction of the Abuja-Kano and Port-Harcourt-Maiduguri rail projects were being delayed because of some bottlenecks in securing the 85 per cent foreign loan meant for the project.

The Minister of Transportation, Mua’zu sambo said this while addressing newsmen on Friday in Abuja.

According to him, the projects, which are on-going, are being run through appropriation funds.

He said:“ The Abuja-Kano and Port-Harcourt Maiduguri rail projects are on-going but there is a challenge of the 85 per cent foreign loan yet to be secured.

He said, “We have been driving this two projects solely through appropriation, which is part of the 15 per cent which Nigeria is supposed to contribute.

“Indeed I can tell you for sure that with respect to the Kaduna-Kano rail we have paid completely to the contractor the 15 per cent obligation of the Federal Government.

“Until we have the 85 per cent component, the project will have to be continually funded through the appropriation.’’

It will be recalled that the 85 per cent loan meant for the rail project was expected to come from Chinese financiers.

Answering question on the Transportation University in Daura, Sambo said some administrative challenges were responsible for the proposed take-off of the institution in September.

The minister assured that measures were in place to resolve these challenges and commence operation of the school.

“The Transportation University in Daura ought to have commenced in September but there are certain challenges being encountered”, he said, adding

“Some of the challenges are administrative and efforts are being made to clear them with the National University Commission and the Federal Ministry of Education”.