By Fidelis Ugbomeh
The Lagos District of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has continued to pioneer freight and passenger train service. In this interview with Fidelis Ugbomeh, Railway District Manager, Engr. Augustine Arase, outlines operations within the last six months and expectations. Excerpts:
What is your assessment of passenger and freight train service from January till date?
Initially, after the terrorist attack and kidnap of passengers on board an Abuja- Kaduna standard gauge passenger train on March 28, 2022, there was a sharp drop in passenger patronage due to fear but, based on assurance of government and management of Nigerian Railway Corporation, there has been improvement in passenger output, especially during festive periods. Looking at our passenger output record from Lagos to Ibadan and back, in the months of January and February this year about 2,901 and 3,501 passengers boarded the train, respectively, while, in March and April the number increased to 4,410 and 5,203 passengers, respectively. In the months of May and June, the number of passengers recorded shows 6,433 and 6,307, respectively.
What about record of freight train service within the period under review?
The freight train service is ongoing. We had a successful freight train test run from Lagos to Kano on the narrow gauge railway corridor recently. The train departed from AP Moller terminal (APMT) at Apapa, Lagos, and arrived Kano safely.
Can the successful test run of freight train from Lagos-Kano narrow gauge railway line be said to be a prelude to official commencement of freight service from South to North, which had been suspended due to vandalism of tracks along that railway corridor?
The freight train service from Lagos-Kano is ongoing and anybody that makes request will be given service. We also offer freight train service on both narrow and standard gauge railway line from APMT in Lagos to Ibadan as well as within inland container terminals in Lagos.
Last year, some staff were alleged to be involved in ticket racketeering, whereby about 11 staff were arrested for allowing select passengers to board an Ibadan-Lagos passenger train. What was the outcome of investigations and has there been any such case recently?
The issue of racketeering is a societal problem but when staff of Nigerian Railway Corporation are found wanting, they are queried and investigated and, if found culpable, they are sacked. It is not a one-off thing. There are procedures such that, once there is a complaint, it is investigated and any staff found wanting will be sacked.
What about the Lagos mass transit train service and passenger traffic?
As you know, it takes about three to four hours to transit from Lagos Island to Ijoko/Kajola by road, compared to one hour used by train. So, the patronage has been outstanding. We also operate passenger train service on the standard gauge railway line from Apapa to Kajola and back.
Passengers have also requested that the NRC management should reduce cost of transit on the Kajola-Apapa standard gauge train service from ₦N1,500 to N1,000 as well as increase the stopover stations. What has management done in response to these requests?
It is true that we have received requests to that effect, but management is still considering these requests.
Trading along the railway lines, especially at train stations, seems to have come to stay; what are you doing to stem this trend?
We embark on routine raiding of railside traders with the assistance of Nigerian Railway Police Command and, sometimes, Lagos State Task Force assist in the raids. So, we are not relenting in efforts to discourage people from trading along railway lines.
The Powerline and Agbole railway temporary railway level crossings in Lagos and Ogun states seem to have come to stay, in spite of the steep nature of the road linking the railway line, thus, motorists either get stuck or struggled with their steering to drive past. What are you doing to address this problem?
The fact that motorists are still plying the Agbole temporary railway level crossing and closure of the Powerline illegal railway level crossing does not mean that the railway management approved it. There are standards required for a level crossing to be approved. The basic standards required are: purpose, volume of traffic within the location and visibility of level crossing to motorists and pedestrians so as to avert accidents.
The introduction of online booking for passengers wishing to board Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kaduna and Warri-Itakpe trains has been greeted with mixed feelings due to difficulties in booking online. What are you doing to address this problem?
The difficulties experienced by passengers are due to the problem of servers. So, if a passenger is finding it difficult to book online, the alternative available is to go to the train terminal with automated teller machine (ATM) card and insert same into our machine and the ticket will be issued.
Regarding the issue of vandalism of track components. How many cases have been recorded in recent times?
Sometimes, in a month, about two or three scavengers are arrested and taken to court for removing Pando clips and sleepers within the last six months by our patrol team. So, we are doing everything to curb the menace.