• Joy, excitement welcome mass transit shuttle to Jos
Rail transportation has always enjoyed a special place in Northern Nigeria. It is considered a cheaper, safer and convenient means of transportation.
In Jos, Plateau State, the mode of transportation which went into oblivion about a decade or two ago, excites a particular nostalgia in the people of the state given the history of the city as a hub of mining activities in Nigeria.
Only recently, state government indicated interest to revive the operation of domestic mass train services. The policy is one of the measures to address the high cost of transportation as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.
Daily Sun gathered that the urban mass transit train service would be operated as a passenger shuttle within Jos-Bukuru to Vom Station, terminating at Kuru Station catchment areas. Its second phase will extend operations to the neighbouring states of Bauchi, Kaduna, Benue and Nasarawa.
Government has approached the Nigeria Railways Corporation (NRC) for partnership. A team from government NRC recently inspected facilities at Jos Main Terminal, Bukuru sub-stations and Vom sub-station ahead of the take-off of the train services.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Samuel Jatau, Chief of Staff, Government House, Jerry Satmak and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Farmson Choji, were part of that delegation. Jatau maintained that the recent moves were part of the measures taken by government to alleviate the sufferings of the people, particularly in the area of transportation.
Choji said: “If you looked at it, railway system basically carries more volume of people, goods and services. We now to see a situation where we can start with an urban mass transit train service.
“Tracks are from here to Kuru, from Kuru to Maiduguri and back to Kafanchan. But we want to start operating from Jos to Bukuru, and perhaps, Bukuru to Vom and Vom to Kuru where necessary.”
District Manager, North Central Divisional Headquarters, Kafanchang, NRC, Austine Ashibekong said the corporation has all it takes to fix the about 40 per cent damages on some of the rail tracks: “Over 60 per cent of the tracks are in good condition. What is needed is a little more push to kick-start the dream
“Government approached our corporation with a view to seeing how they can start with the municipal Mass Transit Train Services (MTTS) which is doable, because other states have done it.
“The state of the railway tracks is 60 okay, meaning there is no much work to do. The things that call for attention are things that can be fixed by our men, I mean our engineers. I don’t see any cause for alarm.
“We have men that can attend to it, if there is support, I don’t think government and the railway management will disappoint the people.
“All we are going to do here is maintenance. For example, some of the timbers on the track are rotten and soaked with water. We’re going to change them. This is an urban rail service we are not importing any manpower anywhere.
“From the discussions I and my team had with the representatives of government and from what we went on to inspect, it is largely a task that can be accomplished with local contents.”
He, however, regretted that all illegal structures, raised within the rail lines would be demolished to pave ways for the smooth operations of the train services.
The revival of the train service elicited mixed reactions. While some welcomed the development, others had different view.
Abdullahi Umar is a businessman at the railway station in Jos: “The return of the train services is for our collective good, especially we the poor people. Its importance to us is beyond what a car or bus can do for us.
“The coming of train services can affect our activities here. But it can also open other opportunities for the people.”
A tailor at the Jos train terminal, Muhammadu Sani, said: “In those days, we enjoyed railway services while we were still very young. If Railway services will return so be it. We will move out of this place if necessary.
“We are here because this place was not put into use, this will help in terms of transportation. Our parents enjoyed train services. I will be happy to see the old days back.”
Joy Felix, sells food also at the terminal: “When I heard that train services will be resuming in Jos, I was so happy, at least our business activities will boom here again. If train services bounce back, I strongly believe that the cost of things will come down. It will boost the economy of the state too.
“If you go round, you will see that everything is on standstill. The revival of train will equally reduce the cost of transportation. I used to pay N70 transport fee from Rukuba Road to Terminal, but now is N200. In some cases we had to beg before they could carry us to the terminal. Some people usually trekked to cut cost.
“If you look at the cost of things in the market it is triple of what it used to be, because of the removal of fuel subsidy. Anything you touch, they will say the cost of transportation. So the coming of mass train services will address this I so believe.”
Bala Maikifi has been selling cat fish on the old rail track for the past 20 years. He expressed reservations on the resumption of train services:
“The train stuff is a welcome development only if that will not displace us from our businesses here. We have been staying here, on the old track for years. We are happy with the efforts of the new governor. I pray God to guide him so that he would lead the people of the state to prosperity and peace.”
Sani Abdullahi is also a fish seller for over 15 years at the train terminal: “If train services bounce back today, we will help in encouraging people to come and board trains because it is cheaper than using bus or taxi.”
The efforts are facing serious sabotage especially with the recent arrest of a vehicle conveying over 300 stolen railway slippers. The vehicle got stocked and was abandoned by the suspects around Kagwi upon hearing Governor Mutfwang’s announcement of the resumption of domestic rail shuttling.
Ashibekong called on citizens to ensure they guide against vandalising the railway tracks. He assured the people that the stolen tracks would be rehabilitated: “The ones that are in bad condition will be replaced.”