The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Engr. Fidet Okhiria, has revealed that over 63,000 passengers have been transported free of charge so far following the directives of the federal government.
It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu had last week approved a 50 percent discount for inter-state road travels, and 100 percent for train trips, for Nigerians travelling to celebrate Christmas with their families. The discount will run from December 21 to January 4, 2024.
The MD who made this revelation at a media parley in Lagos today, Thursday, December 28, 2023, added that the Federal Government has under-written all the costs involved in offering the free services.
He commended the Federal Government for providing all the necessary support to achieve this feat.
The MD also advised passengers to obtain their tickets via the website as tickets are not given at the various stations.
He also stated that railway staff have been mobilised nationwide to ensure that the directive of the President is enforced to the fullest.
The train passenger service, according to the NRC, is offered on all the Corporation’s route such as Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kaduna and Warri-Itakpe.
The NRC MD also added that the corporation is faced with challenges of insecurity and vandalisation .
