The first phase of a new Chinese-built light rail system opened in Nigeria's capital Abuja on Wednesday, with residents hoping it will ease congestion and cut commuting costs.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu led a ceremony to celebrate the opening of the train service, attended by other Nigerian politicians, celebrities and representatives of Chinese builders.
"Abuja Railway Metro stands as the symbol of progress, connectivity, inclusivity. This displays our determination to modernize our transportation infrastructure," Tinubu said in a speech at the ceremony.
The newly opened phase consists of two lines stretching 18 and 27 kilometers, respectively, connecting the city center, the airport and major city suburbs.
Twelve trains purchased from China will run on the light railway, with a designed maximum speed of 100 kilometers per hour.
Eight round-trips a day will serve 12 stops along the line, speeding up travel for the city's residents.
Zhang Zhichen, executive director of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Nigeria, said Chinese builders will also provide follow-up services for the operation of the railway for a period of three years, including staff training and maintenance of the facilities.
"There are more stops and trains than before. We will increase the operational capacity of technical staff through our training and technical support, and bring new energy to Abuja's economy," he said.
Chinese-built railway goes into operation in Nigerian capital Abuja
Multiple Chinese rescue teams have arrived in the disaster-stricken areas in Myanmar, rushing to work with local responders around the clock to search for survivors following the massive and devastating earthquake that occurred on Friday.
In the hard-hit city of Mandalay, many Chinese rescuers have been working nearly 20 hours to search for lives among collapsed buildings and under the rubble.
The operation has faced significant hurdles with repeated aftershocks in the city complicating the rescue efforts. Despite these challenges, Chinese rescuers have made notable progress, as two dedicated rescue corridors have been established to accelerate the search and rescue process.
So far Chinese teams have rescued six survivors in severely-hit Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay. The rescuers combed through the ruins of apartments, hotels and hospitals to find signs of life. Continuous aftershocks, power cuts, destroyed roads and communication interruptions made their rescue work even harder.
Meanwhile, more Chinese rescue teams are heading to Myanmar, bringing in earthquake experts, structural engineers, medical personnel and canine units, as well as life detectors, demolition equipment and field hospital systems.
Despite challenges like confined working areas, frequent aftershocks, residual fires and dense smoke, local and international rescuers are racing against time, hoping to save more people as the crucial 72-hour window of earthquake rescue closes.
The death toll from the 7.9-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar has risen to 2,056, with approximately 3,900 people injured and nearly 270 reported missing, according to the country's State Administration Council Information Team on Monday.
Chinese rescuers race against time in Myanmar quake relief
