Amidst the excitement and ecstasy of the light rail system launched formally on Tuesday 26 July at the Idu train station lies a haphazard project that can be improved with the right legislation and implementation from the National Assembly.


The recent commissioning of the much talked about Abuja-Kaduna rail line by President Muhammadu Buhari, with his pictures riding on first class cabin, took the internet by storm, thereby arousing my journalistic instincts.
There is no doubt, of course, it was a promise kept. With the official handover to the Nigerian Railway Corporation for commercial activities, a younger generation of Nigerians, frequent travelers as well as businessmen and women who may want to travel in a relaxed and friendly manner at a cost effective rate given the mouth-watering offer of N900 for executive coach, N600 for second class and N500 for economy fares can now smile. But this smile can be short-lived if further legislative input is not taken.



Cynthia's unsavory experience

After the one-month free test rides which witnessed a high level of enthusiasm by commuters ended, I was already itching to savor the experience by parting with my hard earned money for the rail way trip.
At 1:20 p.m. on August 25th, in the company of two friends, I hurried off to Kubwa to catch the 2 p.m. train.
I arrived at 1:40 p.m. and quickly purchased my train ticket at the rate of 600 naira, in the absence of another class of tickets. The train station was so beautiful but lacked coordination. The security apparatus, both human and material resources. was unsatisfactory.
Two security personnel were seen checking luggage on a small bench with a scanner. I nearly screamed. Thanks to Buhari, who has kept those Boko boys in check.
The waiting area was filled with passengers waiting to board I was told that the train leaves at 2:30 p.m., while waiting I decided to look around, ask questions and take pictures.
I was still filled with excitement and eagerness to board a train for the first time in Nigeria; yes actually it was my first time ever!
After much dilly dally, the time finally comes, squeezing myself into what seemed like a line, our tickets were checked by a man who looked like a passenger. He did not seem different from many of us - no uniform or regalia.
We were directed to form four lines for the different compartments and we began to file in.
In another few minutes the journey began, smooth and calm, announcement were made on the various stops: Asham, Rigere, and the final destination, Rigasa. Ten minutes into the trip, someone who appeared to be the train assistant came to the seats to ask for our tickets and perforated them.


The only group who distinguished themselves were the cleaners who were seen dressed in orange customized shirts moving around at intervals.
Soon it was 04:45 p.m. it did not feel like it. We arrived at Rigasa, in Kaduna, shortly thereafter.
I quickly bought my return ticket, walked around the station, took some more pictures and questioned the security officials on the train schedules. At 10 minutes to 6 p.m., the train was ready to board to head back to Abuja. Everyone rushed in and I managed to get a middle seat with a table and sockets. My friend and I played Monopoly, and within two hours, we were back in Abuja.


Cynthia's take


Amidst the excitement and ecstasy of the light rail system launched formally on Tuesday 26 July at the Idu train station lies a haphazard project that can be improved with the right legislation and implementation from the National Assembly.
In less than one month of commissioning, the electronic information board no longer functions, there is no proper security mechanism, and there is a severe lack of coordination and poor management of staff and passengers.
The Nigeria Railway Corporation Act of 1955 has existed for 6 decades!!! This act has not been amended until the 8th Assembly under the leadership of Bukola Saraki, who did the needful by amending and passing the bill for a third reading on 21 July 2016.
A technical committee made up of stakeholders with legal and technical expertise was set up by the senate leadership and Committee on Land Transportation. This bill of high priority was changed to the National Railway Bill 2016 due to far-reaching recommended changes.
The obsolete model act of 1955 was adorned with restrictions and rigidity to innovation investments, and private sector management making the regulator the operator.
Some of the major amendments that the new bill will achieve include providing a legislative framework to stamp out all impediments that hindered the attainment of an effective railway system over past years and allow private sector, local and foreign investors.
It will also open doors for rapid deployment of rail systems across the nation and competitive and effective service delivery to Nigerians. This achievement by the 8th senate should be replicated in due time by the house of representative for onward executive assent in the interest of Nigeria and its economy.
Only then can Nigerians truly jubilate at the milestones of the railway industry. The regulator in this sector cannot remain the operator. We have to get it right.
President Buhari should not hesitate to sign the bill immediately when it lands on his table. Only then will Nigerians say, “Bravo!’’
"Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we catch excellence." - Vince Lombardi.

http://saharareporters.com/2016/09/07/abuja-rail-line-experience-don%E2%80%99t-applaud-yet-cynthia-ferdinand

More pictures

i knew one stupid critic will carry the problem to come again, nigerians, you no fit satisfy them

slimthugchimee:
i knew one stupid critic will carry the problem to come again, nigerians, you no fit satisfy them

Just her take about the issue nothing personal.

Thanks for the information OP. Hope the right authority see this and put things right. It's too early to start noticing cracks in this laudable project.


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Hmmmn.

slimthugchimee:
i knew one stupid critic will carry the problem to come again, nigerians, you no fit satisfy them

Your rant is unnecessary. She's entitled to her opinion... and a constructive one at that.

Benjom:
Thanks for the information OP. Hope the right authority see this and put things right. It's too early to start noticing cracks in this laudable project.

Exactly irrelevant topics now makes FP

Her opinion!

I knew it!

Someone with a large heart should plz kindly summarize..

PMB only good at commissioning Gej's project.....

Aunty calm down! Rome wasnt built in a day.....

One thing Nigerians must bear with this regime is "Dysfunctional"
They can never put anything together for the benefit of the people.
Pls relax...you know what to do in 2019

From the pictures you took cynthia I can not see the dis-organisation you were talking about

All I can see is you smiling in neat coaches

even the pictures you took at the departure.I cant see the crowd congestion you talked about and chaos.looked scanty and quiet

Can't see pictures of the electronic information board you said isnt working

Something wrong hope you are not being mischievous

Well written and constructed first hand experience. How can the thief be the judge, the police, the prison and the enforcer?
More still needs to be done..........

Hnmmm , baby steps. Everything good would come

your problem is mostly with the staffs

not the trains ..

government workers have always been the most nonchalant and laziest set of workers all over the world.

mtcheew....Who Send U?!

Well done OP.
This is not about "commissioning" the rail project and moving on, attention needs to be paid to the day-to-day running as well.

There is nothing special about trains. When i was living around sango, i use to board a train at Ijoko where you see picture climbing ontop because of limited space. I just hope the new modern comes with some new improvement

Very useful observation.

What is the point the Op is trying to draw out please? We all know Government workers here in Nigeria are one of the least organized in the world. The railway project is an applaudable system that needs to be maintained and supported so it can spread across the country. We need to criticize objectively and needfully, not playing to the gallery for whatever sakes.

Firefire:
APC again ? Destroying everything in sight.

:In less than one month of commissioning, the electronic information board no longer functions, there is no proper security mechanism, and there is a severe lack of coordination and poor management of staff and passengers."

Na their way be that.
All ProgreTHIEF Criminals, APC party led by the confused Dullard from Daura.
Anything inherited na to mess am up.
Where are the zombies who packaged and sold this FAILURE to us?

flokii:
IPOD yoot

Which one ur hero complete.. yeye

Stupidity is like peak...

FunkyMetahuman:
your problem is mostly with the staffs

not the trains ..

government workers has always been the most nonchalant and lazy workers all over the world.

If they are paid on the basis of a miserable minimum wage of N18,000 while political jobbers of the SAME government collect mega millions from us for doing nothing, then one can expect poor performance, not so



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