NRC set to resume Lagos-Kano train service

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has concluded plans to resume the Lagos-Kano express train service which was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Regional District Manager (RDM) for Lagos, Engr. Jerry Oche, said the NRC would revive the Lagos-Kano long haul trip with the movement of over 6000 pipes belonging to the Kaduna State Water Corporation to Zaria.

Speaking with newsmen after he was conferred with the award of Best Railway District Manager, Oche said the Lagos-Kano narrow gauge track is now ready for resumption of activities.

Daily Trust reports that the NRC had recently deployed its engineers to fix bad portions of the 1,126 kilometer track from Lagos to Kano.

The RDM, who said the track is now ready, added that the authorities would immediately commence the Lagos-Kano passenger service to avoid vandalization of the tracks.

He said because of the suspension of activities due to the COVID-19 outbreak, some individuals began to vandalize the tracks.

Oche disclosed that many people have been arrested and currently in the custody of the Railway Police Command for vandalization of the tracks on the Lagos-Kano axis.

Speaking further, the RDM said the losses by the corporation due to the suspension of activities on the Lagos corridor could not be quantified.

He said apart from COVID-19, the NRC was also compelled to reduce the train services on Lagos axis because of the construction of the LagosIbadan standard gauge.

According to him, the movement of the pipes to Zaria would serve as a testrun for the Lagos-Kano mass transit.