Free train service: We haven’t recovered from cost of last intervention — NRC laments

…Demands supply of fuel, funds to pay to cleaners, security

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) in reaction to transportation slash and free train service declared by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, has said while the development is good for the people, the agency is yet to recover from the cost of the last transportation fare slash introduced by the government.

The Managing Director of NRC, Fidet Okhiria disclosed this in an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday.

Recall that the Federal Government, on Wednesday, announced a 50 percent waiver on road transport and a 100 percent fare slash for rail transportation as part of moves to cushion the impact of high living on Nigerians.

While commending the development, the NRC boss expressed concerns over the cost of the intervention scheme, saying it is hoped that the government can defray the costs.

He said, “This is not the first time. We did this two years ago. It was effective. I say we’ve yet to recover from that. But what is the government for? The government is to make sure that people have comfort as much as possible.

“And we are quite willing and wishing to provide that service. In other developed countries, they get this thing either directly or indirectly.

“You recall during the COVID, even private companies were given relief, and those without jobs like in the UK, US, and everywhere…So it’s a good thing that the government considers we should do a free service, but they should also be willing to provide the resources to do it.

“We are hoping this time they are going to give us fuel and in those 15 days we are going to provide the free service. They are also willing to provide at least the money we pay to the cleaners and the security.”

Okhiria noted that the agency will buy diesel to power the trains among other expenses.