FG makes NIN mandatory for passengers boarding Abuja-Kaduna train
The National Identity Number is now compulsory for passenger profiling when boarding the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service, the Nigerian Railway Corporation has said.
The Minister of Transportation Mua’zu Sambo, while inspecting the test running the train route between the Abuja and Kaduna said operations would resume within seven days from Nov. 27 with new requirements to board the train.
The minister said that this was to enable passengers to get used to the new requirements for enjoying the train
La.aservice.
He said: ”The issue of whether the train will start tomorrow or not, we have not said the train services will start tomorrow.
”I want to be very categorical about that. Now, we have introduced a new system before you buy a ticket.
”Your purchase of a ticket requires you to provide a phone number and a national identification number in order to profile, because that is the beginning of the security checks.
”So, at any point in time when a train moves from one station to another we know who and who are on board.
”If you don’t have a NIN you are not going to board our train. It is as simple as that.
”If you are a minor, an adult will pay for you and will register for you and an adult can only register for not more than four minors.”
Sambo added that: ”Now, we want to give sufficient time for the Nigerian public to listen to these and assimilate this new system, because if we start tomorrow, a lot of people will be disgruntled.
”Definitely between three, four, five days, certainly not more than a week.”
He assured Nigerians that 90 per cent arrangement had been completed for the smooth commencement of the services.
Sambo added that the remaining 10 per cent measures would be achieved in a couple of days for the smooth commencement.
”I think we are 90 per cent ready as far as what we are set out to do is concerned.
” The remaining 10 per cent I am sure would be achieved in the next couple of days for full resumption of train services.
”Certain concrete measures that are feasible include the ticketing. Security starts from ticketing so now you don’t buy a ticket unless you have a valid phone number and you have a NIN.
”And if you are a foreigner you also have a means of identification you can use which is produced by the National Identity Management Commission.
”Having secured your ticket, you will not get access to the lounge until the machine reads the barcode in your receipt.
”Your details will show and your complete profile will show on the screen. Only then will you be allowed to go into the lounge. This is what we call customer profiling,” Sambo said.
According to the minister, there will be an increased number of security personnel, some of whom may not be wearing uniform to guarantee passengers’ safety.
He said: ”The other thing is that, for every journey the train is monitored every second and the train driver can see up to a certain distance,”
