Finally, NRC resumes Lagos-Kano train service

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has finally commenced the Lagos-Kano express train service. The service operated on the old narrow-gauge train was to commence last month but was stalled following a washout which occurred around Osogbo, Osun State after heavy rainfall.

Having fixed the damaged portions of the tracks, the corporation commenced the service last week Friday while another train departed yesterday.

A source who spoke with Daily Trust Saturday however, said the turnout is still low.

When contacted, spokesman of the NRC, Mr Mahmood Yakub confirmed the development to our correspondent.

He said the train departed by 12 noon on Friday en-route Kano.

“We have commenced the service and the train departed today and it is on its way to Kano. I can tell you as days go by, more people would make use of the service,” he said.

Daily Trust Saturday reports that the Lagos-Kano express train operated on the old narrow-gauge track was suspended due to the COVID-19.

Along the line, the 1,126-kilometer track had experienced some washouts and vandalism prompting the NRC to deploy its engineers to fix the tracks.

The track was in March this year revived with the movement of over 6, 000 pipes belonging to the Kaduna State Water Corporation to Zaria.

The corporation subsequently fixed Friday, August 13 for the resumption of the long-haul service mostly patronized by traders and operated every Friday.