The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) is set to enhance its services by increasing the daily train trips on the Standard Gauge Train in 2024. In an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, the Managing Director of NRC, Mr. Fidet Okhiria, revealed the corporation’s ambitious plan to introduce six daily trips across the board on key routes.
Okhiria emphasized that the NRC aims to augment the number of train trips on the Lagos-Ibadan, Warri-Itakpe, and Abuja-Kaduna lines. This move will involve three round trips, amounting to a total of six trips per day, signifying a significant escalation from the current four trips – two in each direction.
Despite the existing limitations on night operations due to security concerns, Okhiria underscored the NRC’s commitment to providing round-the-clock train services. He emphasized that trains are designed to operate at all times and expressed the corporation’s intention to reintroduce passenger and freight trains from Port-Harcourt to Aba, Lagos to Kano, and Kaduna, particularly in relation to the dry ports.
The NRC’s proactive stance not only seeks to expand passenger and freight options but also to address the nation’s evolving transportation needs. With plans to implement these enhancements before the second quarter of 2024, the Nigerian Railway Corporation is poised to revolutionize rail travel across the country.