23rd October, 2021
By Lucy Ogalue
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has expressed its readiness to resume normal services on the Abuja-Kaduna train service (AKTS) route following the recent explosion on the rail track.
Fidet Okhiria, the Managing Director of NRC told newsmen that the corporation was also committed to ensuring the safety of passengers and crew on the route.
‘The Board and Management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation hereby informs the general public, particularly our valued passengers, that Abuja – Kaduna train services (AKTS) will resume tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 23.
”The first train will run from, Idu, Abuja (AK3) at 09:50a.m and from Rigasa Kaduna (KA4) at 10:35a.m. Subsequent trains services will continue. NRC, once again, sincerely apologises for the inconvenience,” Okhiria said.
Meanwhile, the NRC boss noted that the Police, DSS and other security apparatus were now fully involved in safeguarding rail facilities from further attacks.
Furthermore, he urged Nigerians to stay firm and not be scared ”so as not to give people, who do not wish Nigeria well, room to succeed “.
” If we have all trains running, the people would have to work very hard to be able to plant explosives,” Okhiria explained.
On ensuring adequate means of communication along the route, the NRC boss said the corporation would try and replicate a satellite telephone system on the route, similar to what was provided on the Warri-Itakpe route.
Okhiria said the corporation could not provide transportation from rail stations to metropolises, adding, ”that is why we are hoping for a PPP so that people can organise themselves and provide that service.
“People can even come and key into our e-ticketing so that when the passengers come we use their bus and at the end of the day we do our calculations.
“We don’t want to do that on our own. But, we have to make sure that the actual person who gets it can do it,” he said.