For the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, the recent commissioning of the Abuja-Kaduna rail line is a promise kept. But, in the views of travellers and experts, it is a development that has brought about a new experience in the way passengers and goods are moved between the two cities.
The project started by the immediate past administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, apart from changing the way people travel and goods conveyed between Abuja and Kaduna, perhaps sign-posts Buhari’s assurances to complete projects initiated by his predecessor.
Now, that the to-be or not-to-te hovering over the rail line has finally been cleared, and after over one-month free test rides which witnessed a high level of enthusiasm by commuters, many are itching to savour the experience.
With the official handover to the Nigerian Railway Corporation for commercial activities, younger generation of Nigerians, frequent travellers as well as businessmen and women who may want to travel in a relaxed and friendly manner at a cost effective rate giving the mouthwatering offer of N900 for executive coach and N500 for economy fares can now smile.
In contrast, it cost between N1000 and N1, 500 to travel by car from Abuja to Kaduna.
Unarguably, the coming of the railway presents an opportunity for Nigerians to live in Kaduna and yet, work in Abuja. Civil servants in this category no longer need to worry about the huge costs they often incur on transportation as they can now board the cheap train while they shuttle repeatedly between Abuja and Kaduna.
Experts opined that the development would have multiplier effects on pressure on land and food items in the city capital. This view is premised on the fact that civil servants and other middle-income workers can now leave in settlements along the rail line and report to work in Abuja. There are nine stations along the 186 km rail line from the Idu station to Kuchibon, Asham, Jere, Gidan, Rijauna, Dutse, Kakau and terminating at Rigasa in Kaduna.
“This railway is a big relief for me. The moment I learnt about the free service about two weeks ago, I took maximum advantage of it as I no longer chartered a vehicle to convey my luggage from Kaduna to Abuja. Even now that it is going commercial; it is still cheaper and more convenient and by extension increases my profit,” Fatima Sani, a textile dealer in Abuja averred.
“I heard the train was conveying passengers free from Abuja to Kaduna and vice-versa, so I had to quickly inquire from a friend who works at the Idu station to know the time the train will move and boarded from Idu to Kubwa just to get the experience and I can’t wait to see the project replicated in my state”, Aonduhumba Agber, an applicant from Benue State, said.
The enthusiasm expressed by many respondents to patronise the train has started yielding results as the General Manager of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr. Fidet Okhiria, disclosed that the corporation was making over N5 million weekly. He also disclosed that the number of passengers patronising the trains were more than the coaches could take.
Despite the cost effectiveness and convenience of rail travel, many are concerned about the security of passengers in view of the precarious security situation in the country. This, NRC said it is not unaware of.
“The need to ensure the security of lives and goods transported through the railway is paramount, Engr. Fidet Okhiria said.
According to him, passengers boarding the train must be persons with valid forms of identification such as national identity cards, international passports, driver’s licence and other recognised identity cards. He maintained that scanners are deployed to properly scan passengers and goods before boarding, adding that through the support of the Inspector-General of Police, several police officers have been deployed to monitor the railway stations among other security measures taken.
Buttressing the benefits of the railway, Okhiria said, “Railway is the mother of all transportation systems because it moves a lot of people conveniently and safely. This project will also take a lot of pressure off the roads, the roads will last longer and accidents will reduce. You can’t quantify all these in naira and kobo.
“Rail infrastructure brings development. In less than a year you will see industries and estates spring up along the rail corridor because there is a safe and cheaper means of transportation”, he said.
Currently, the NRC managing director disclosed that with 20 rail wagons and open wagons, the corporation was doing two round trips, starting at 7am and ending by 8pm and assured that it will commence eight rounds from Abuja to Kaduna once the other coaches arrive, stressing that the track section can take six trains at a time.
Also, concerns have been raised about the speed of the trains as many believe the train is slow as it takes about two hours from Abuja to Kaduna. However, Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, explained that the trains are currently not moving at optimal capacity because of a lack of perimeter fencing. He explained that if the trains move at the full capacity there could be incidences of mishap as a result of stray persons and animals. He, however, expressed optimism that the cost for erecting fence would be captured in the 2017 budget.
Giving credence to views of experts, Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, said the coming of the railway would impact positively on the economy and social life of the state.
“As the governor of Kaduna State, I am very grateful and gratified that the Abuja-Kaduna segment of the Lagos-Kano rail system is commissioned. The impact of this railway line to Kaduna cannot easily be quantified in terms of social and economic benefits. “For us in Kaduna, this rail system has effectively made Kaduna a satellite town of Abuja because our citizens can live in Kaduna and commute to Abuja to work, which is a major advantage for the state”, he said.
Efforts towards modernising the Nigerian railway system had commenced in October 2006. An agreement was signed between Nigeria and the CCECC of China for the construction of a standard gauge Lagos-Kaduna rail line, costing $8.3 billion. The project, well packaged was for the upgrade of the entire rail system to standard gauge, covering a 25-year period. The project included the Port Harcourt-Kano line and the additional, Lagos-Calabar line (East-West).
Fortunately, the excitement the commissioning of the Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge train service has generated could be sustained as President Buhari assured Nigerians that his administration would implement the 25-Year Strategic Railway Master Plan which is aimed at rehabilitating the existing 3,505km narrow gauge rail line and developing and constructing new standard gauge rail lines across the country.