The federal government says it may increase the number of
scheduled trips on the Lagos-Ibadan train service to meet surging demand.
Mu’azu Sambo, minister of transportation, spoke to
journalists on Thursday after a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Railway Corporation
(NRC) headquarters in Lagos, leading to the inspection of the Lagos-Ibadan rail
facility.
Satisfied with the progress made so far, Sambo vowed to
sustain the “trajectory” of President Muhammadu Buhari’s railway modernisation
programme.
However, the minister did not specifically provide details
on the possible increase of daily trips.
In August, the NRC reduced the number of trips on the
Lagos-Ibadan corridor due to the hike in the price of automotive gas oil,
better known as diesel.
The corporation currently runs two trips on the route – one
in the morning and another in the afternoon.
“Yeah, we can have more trips, but you cannot have more than
24 hours in a day. Can you? So, you have to schedule these train services to
cover a particular period of the day from morning until evening. That’s it,”
Sambo said, responding to a question on increased patronage.
“I am highly
impressed with the railway modernisation program of this administration. What
we have seen is unprecedented. And we have vowed, my colleague and I, that
within the short time that we have to spend as ministers, we will build on what
we have found so that the trajectory will not be truncated in any way at all.”
Further speaking on resumption of train services on the
Abuja-Kaduna corridor, Sambo reiterated the ministry’s stance on resuming
operations in November.
Refraining from stating a specific resumption date, he asked
Nigerians to wait patiently.
“We have announced previously that we are going to commence
operations on that line this month. We have the target date. It is not
necessary for me to share that date publicly. I don’t think that would help in
running the service. Nigerians are interested in the service, right? Today [is]
November 17. Less than two weeks before the month is over. So, just be
patient,” the minister said.
In his welcome address, Fidet Okhiria, managing director,
NRC, commended the Minister’s commitment towards ensuring completion of all the
projects within the time frame, adhering to quality and international best
practices.
Okhiria also appreciated Buhari for keeping the railway
alive through critical infrastructure development and sustainability of the NRC
operation.
He said that railway was one of the cornerstones of economic
growth and development of any country, through mass movement of freights and people,
thereby creating direct and indirect job opportunities, urbanisation, business
expansion and social integration for peaceful coexistence.
“In the recent time, NRC has been facing some challenges
which include security and vandalism,” Okhiria said.
“We thank the
minister and his team for their effort towards ensuring that the railway
corridors are now properly secure for the safety of our esteemed passengers and
other stakeholders.
”I also commend the effort of the honourable minister by
ensuring all hostages of AKTS infamous train attack were released before the
resumption of the train operations on AKTS.
“This shows the
compassion and empathy of our minister.”
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