From time immemorial, rail transport has been a major means of conveying goods and services from one point to another, the world over.
It was the cheapest means of transport employed by the colonial masters in transporting man and materials from the hinterlands to the shores of their colonies.
There is no doubt; the rail transport has contributed immensely on the socio-economic activities in Nigeria.
Rail transport has been the safest and of recent, the most confortable means of transport. The current insecurity in Nigeria, most especially in the Northern part of this country has made road transport almost impossible, as motorists are always moving at risk of being attacked by either kidnappers or armed robbers, which left many Nigerians with no option than patronizing the trains, managed by the Nigerian Railway Corporation.
For many years, the rail transport in Nigeria was neglected due to obsolete equipment and total neglect and lack of political will from various past administrations.
It was the Jonathan’s administration that deemed it fit to look at this much neglected sector, which can help in no small measure to the commercial activities within the country.
It started with the Kaduna-Abuja route with a standard gauge line, despite complain from expert on the inflated contract sun, the project became a reality with the coming of present administration.
This development was welcomed as an alternative means of transport was provided for commuters between Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory. The comport and affordability were overwhelming but alas, the poor maintenance culture attributed to us as a nation, has started setting in, in this all important sector, ranging from poor sanitation to delays in some instances.
Initially, commuters were charged One Thousand, Three Hundred naira and Two thousand five hundred naira for the economy and business class respectively, later it was hiked to One Thousand Five Hundred and Three Thousand Naira for the economy and business couches. When corona pandemic came, due to social distancing, the prices were doubled to Three Thousand and Six Thousand respectively.
However, despite the hike in price, nothing like social distancing or other covid-19 protocols were observed in all the railway stations on this route. Without doubt, one can conclude that the increasing number of infections of Covid-19, more especially in Kaduna State might be connected to this negligence of the authorities concerned.
Secondly, the Nigerian Railway Corporation should know that all Nigerians should be accorded same treatment, regardless of where they received rail transport services.
If the Lagos-Ibadan rail route charged nothing on commuters at the initial stage, and now Six Hundred naira only on the route, why is the Corporation charging commuters on Kaduna-Abuja route so exorbitantly? Every patriotic individual would like to know the reason for this discrimination.
Thirdly, to say that touting is still practiced in all the rail stations is an understatement. For instance, even on the online booking, instead of Three Thousand for economy class, a sum of Three Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty was charged.
The question is; by whose authority and why?
Fourthly, the Nigerian Railway Corporation should consider the fact that, Nigeria is a multi-religious entity and everyone has the right to practice his or her religion without any constraint.
Muslims’ Prayer timings do change and as a result of this change, many people, after paying these exorbitant prices were not able to make it to the station before the stipulated takeoff time for the first leg. The worst part is that, hardly such untendered services are refunded.
The Corporation needs to consider rescheduling takeoff times, more especially for the first leg, so that that segment of their customers would not be denied such service.
Our hope is the Nigerian Railway Corporation should look at these critical areas and make amends, for the commuters to enjoy the dividends of democracy.
Engr. AbdurRahman Hassan is of Engineering Department, Radio Nigeria Kaduna.
