Kano-Minna train services to resume this year, says NRC

The Nigerian Railway Corporation ( NRC) has unveiled its plan to restore full operation of the Kano to Minna train services before December this year, as part of initiatives to revitalize the country’s rail transport system.…

The managing director of  NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, who disclosed this during an official visit to the Northern District Office in Zaria, said the effort would also enhance business and economic activities of citizens.

“When reactivated, the train services would also enhance smooth movement of passengers and goods from Kano to Zaria axis, Zaria to Kaduna and Kaduna to Minna,” he said.

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Dr Opeifa also said the corperation would also fix the obsolete equipment within the Northern Regional District through the 2025 capital expenditure.

He assured that most of the equipment within the district would be reactivated and put to use before the end of the year for effective use.

The managing director disclosed plans to partner with the Niger, Kano and Kaduna state governments on its “railing with the states initiative” to revive train shuttles on both Minna to Kaduna and Kaduna to Kano routes. 

He said the corporation would collaborate with the Kaduna State Government to revitalise the railway hospital and support the police and civil defence to reduce vandalism of railway tracks and properties.

Earlier, the regional district manager of the northern district, Mr Adewale Rasheed, said that as the biggest and largest railway district in the country in terms of size and staff strength, the rail had nothing to show compared to its position.

Speaking on behalf of the staff union, the chairman, National Union of Railway Workers (NUR), Zaria branch, Mr Aminu Abdullahi, said itemised demands included promotion arrears for staff from 2018, stagnation on the same level, especially to gangers, pointing out that some of them spent almost 10 years without promotion.