In a remarkable seven-day period from December 21 to December 26, a staggering 63,000 passengers reaped the benefits of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Yuletide gift – free train rides, as declared by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).
Experiencing a surge in gratitude, the Managing Director of NRC, Mr Fidet Okhiria, unveiled this uplifting news during a media interactive session in Lagos on Thursday.
Mr Okhiria expressed heartfelt commendation to the Federal Government for orchestrating the 15-day free train ride, showcasing its impact with over 63,000 passengers benefitting across all routes.
He urged the public to actively engage through the online platform, not just during the festive season but also in its aftermath.
As a testament to the corporation’s commitment to service excellence, plans are underway to augment rolling stocks, increasing the number of coaches and trips, particularly from Lagos to Ibadan and other strategic routes.
Collaborations with various organizations on freight and track safety are also actively pursued.
Addressing challenges head-on, Mr Okhiria outlined ongoing efforts to meet the government’s mandate of efficient passenger and freight movement between Lagos and Kano.
The corporation is actively resolving security challenges and expeditiously completing tracks, ensuring a January commencement of train operations in the northern region.
Despite facing vandalism issues, NRC is resolute in advancing rail infrastructure. Laying tracks from Port-Harcourt to Maiduguri is in progress, with optimistic projections of readiness between Port-Harcourt and Aba in 15 days.
Emphasizing the importance of technical advancements, Mr Okhiria envisions a more resilient track system, deterring future acts of vandalism.
Looking ahead, NRC aims to elevate the turnaround time of the Standard Gauge train between Lagos-Ibadan, Warri-Itakpe, and Abuja-Kaduna by 2024. Mr Okhiria reassured the public that there will be no increase in train fare, highlighting the government’s unwavering support in providing relief to Nigerians, especially during challenging times.
In a final note, Mr Okhiria underscored the significance of the ongoing free train service, with the government actively funding fuel, security, and logistics.
This reaffirms the government’s commitment to making trains the most affordable and safest mode of transportation for the Nigerian populace.
