2018年CRI Nigeria commissions China-assisted Abuja light rail

 

A Chinese-developed light rail line in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, designed to reduce traffic in the city of 1.2 million people, is now active.

The rapid-transit¹ system, the first of its kind in West Africa, has been built by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for 820 million U.S. dollars.

Financing for the light rail line project is being backed by the Export-Import Bank of China.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, attending the ceremony to open the line, says the project represents a significant milestone² for his country.

"I am thankful to the government and people of China for their investment in the Nigerian economy. I commend the CCECC Limited - the contracting firm, for the quality of work and timely delivery of this project," says Buhari.

The three coaches are currently able to take 300 passengers in one trip, while Nigerian officials estimate the line will carry around a thousand people a day to start out with.

To help promote the service, locals are being given one month's free transit on the line.

"The cabins were spacious³, and air-conditioning was working. So there was no stress traveling, it was a very enjoyable ride," says an Abuja resident named Brenda.

"It's highly commendable⁴. It has made the journey between the airport and town seamless, safe and very comfortable," says another Abuja resident named Sunny.

Running 45 kilometers in total, the first phase of the project connects the city center, at the Abuja Metro⁵ Station, to Abuja's Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, at the Abuja Airport Terminal, covering 12 stations.

Trains have been designed to move at a maximum speed of 100 kilometers per hour.

The system is being operated by a Chinese team trained by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

CCECC's general manager Zhao Dianlong says the project has been developed through the Belt and Road Initiative.

"We are very happy to see that there are many skilled technicians and managers in rail transit technology involved. These people will create a talent base for the development of the rail transit sector⁶ in Nigeria in the future. This project also helps promote construction through Belt and Road initiative, which we think will help bring new opportunities to Nigeria," says Zhao.

The Nigerian government has purchased 12 trains to run on the line with four cars each.

Once completely finished, the Abuja light rail line is expected to transport 140,000 passengers per day in Nigeria's capital.

1 transit   

n.经过，运输；vt.穿越，旋转；vi.越过

参考例句：

• His luggage was lost in transit.他的行李在运送中丢失。
• The canal can transit a total of 50 ships daily.这条运河每天能通过50条船。

2 milestone   

n.里程碑；划时代的事件

参考例句：

• The film proved to be a milestone in the history of cinema.事实证明这部影片是电影史上的一个里程碑。
• I think this is a very important milestone in the relations between our two countries.我认为这是我们两国关系中一个十分重要的里程碑。

3 spacious   

adj.广阔的，宽敞的

参考例句：

• Our yard is spacious enough for a swimming pool.我们的院子很宽敞，足够建一座游泳池。
• The room is bright and spacious.这房间很豁亮。

4 commendable   

adj.值得称赞的

参考例句：

• The government's action here is highly commendable.政府这样的行动值得高度赞扬。
• Such carping is not commendable.这样吹毛求疵真不大好。

5 metro   

n.地铁；adj.大都市的；(METRO)麦德隆(财富500强公司之一总部所在地德国，主要经营零售)

参考例句：

• Can you reach the park by metro?你可以乘地铁到达那个公园吗？
• The metro flood gate system is a disaster prevention equipment.地铁防淹门系统是一种防灾设备。

6 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。