The Kano-Port Harcourt intercity mixed train service has been flagged off to further improve economic activities between the northern, middle East and south-south part of the nation.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, Adeseyi Sijuwade says “the flagging-off will lead to recommencing of the mass movement of people and products by rail between Kano and Port Harcourt.”
According to VON, Mr. Sijuwade said the resuscitation of the Kano-Port Harcourt corridor with its high economic value dating back to Colonial era of 1914, bridging the north and southern protectorates become necessary after it went comatose for over a decade.
The resuscitation is also expected to aid activities at the Aminu Kano International Airport and the Kano Inland Port.
Newly introduced train services
“The newly introduced train services comprises two 68- Seater Air conditioned Modern First Class coaches, a Restaurant coach for comfort on board and several standard coaches traversing a rail distance of 1,139 with a stopover at 1`7 nodal town for passengers and luggage. It has combined team of police and Man o War on board to ensure security and St John Ambulance services to handle health related issues,” Mr. Sijuwade explained.
He stressed that the mixed train service would initially run one return trip per week and would increase in frequency as patronage increases.
“The service involves carrying both passengers and cargoes simultaneously, as goods like onion, tomatoes textile materials produced in the north could easily be transported to the middle, eastern and south-south area of the country. When making a return trip it will also bring some items such as vegetables, tubers of yam, gari among others predominantly produced in the south to the north,’’ Mr. Sijuwade said.
Cheap and secured
A passenger Umar Bashir who was aboard the train to Abah in Abia State expressed happiness saying in his32 years, this was the first time of riding on a train which he considered relatively cheap and secured.
“From what I have seen so far there is adequate security and the trip is affordable because I paid 2,900.00 to obtain the train ticket compared to the N5,000.00, I usually pay for road transport,’’ Bashir stated.
Mr. Sijuwade had lamented that over a decade ago, train movement from Kano through Kafanchan to Part Harcourt ceased leading to a decline in businesses as the old thriving movement of goods from Kofar Wanbai and Katinkori markets in Kano by rail to Ogbete Market in Enugu, Ariaria market in Aba and Diodu Market in Port Harcourt became comatose.
“The much celebrated Women Wrapper, perfumes, cosmetics and Jewelries movement from Sabongari market in Kano Criss-crossing Benue Markets to the far Eastern markets in Enugu, Abia and Rivers States paralysed due to lack of rail transport between the north western and the Eastern part of the country,” Mr. Sijuwade stated.
Nigerian Railway Corporation reforms
He was optimistic that the ongoing reforms by the Nigerian Railway Corporation on resuscitation of train services in phases across the country would bring back the lost glory.
The permanent secretary, Ministry of Transport, Mohammed Bashar said the development was bound to engender economic confidence amongst business communities across the nation as they were assured of cheap cost of transportation with safety standards and timely delivery of goods and services.
7 new corridors
“Seven new corridors are being planned to link some other parts of the nation that are without active rail services among which are some towns in Katsina, Yobe and Borno states,” Bashar announced.
Through a proposed bill at the National Assembly, the Corporation would soon open up the agency for public private partnership to enhance private participation in the railway business for more quality services.
The Governor of Kano State, Abdulahi, Ganduje expressed the readiness of the state government to partner with the NRC to ensure the movement of goods and services, to strengthen relationship between Kano other states in the federation.
Intra-city rail project
He urged the corporation to revive the intra-city rail project and also support the state in the drive towards building an intercity transport system.
The Governor called on the people to “patronise the rail system and take advantage of the opportunities inherent in the resuscitated rail system.”
The Emir of Kano Mohammad Sanusi 11 described the flag-off as another milestone that would increase businesses in Kano and across the country.
