The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi on Monday said the Federal Government has granted a $45 million interim phase agreement with General Electric (GE) for the concession of narrow gauge rail lines Nigeria.

He said that the total money to be invested in the project was 2.7 billion dollars after the whole agreement will be concluded.

According to him, the interim phase includes the rehabilitation of the rail lines, the management of the transportation and Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) participation in commercial activities.

Amaechi said with the interim agreement, GE would commence commercial activities for both cargoes and passengers before October.

He said that GE would be bringing in 10 coaches and 100 wagons, adding that additional 10 locomotives and coaches would be repaired.

He, however, said that by January, GE intends to complete the whole interim process and move to the main phase.