Lagos-Kano passenger train service begins soon

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr Adeseyi Sijuwade, on Friday said that the Lagos to Kano mass transit train service would commence operations on 20 December.

Sijuwade made the announcement at the first management retreat of the corporation, held in Lekki, Lagos.

According to him, the rehabilitation of the tracks from Lagos to Kano, including bridges and culverts has been completed for the commencement of the train service.

He assured commuters from either Lagos to Kano or Kano to Lagos safe and cheap rail transport services during the yuletide.

“This formal launch would be announced soon to ensure the resumption of full inter-state mass transit services along the rail tracks on weekdays,” he said.

The managing director said further that adequate security would be put in place with the collaboration of the police and Man-O-War before the commencement of the service.

He also said that the rehabilitation of eastern railway lines terminating at Maiduguri was in progress, adding that trains would begin to move on the corridor in 2013.

He had earlier said that the retreat was aimed at bringing out the potential of the NRC.

Sijuwade stressed the need for strategic management of assets and facilities of the corporation in line with the organisation’s vision and mission.