The Nigerian Railway Corporation will commence a Mass Transit Train Service between Lagos and Ilorin from Wednesday, March 23, as spokesperson of the agency, David Ndakotsu said in a statement in Lagos on Thursday.

Mr Ndakotsu, who said the service will start with a free ride for one week, said the train would depart the Iddo station in Lagos by 9 am. and arrive in Ilorin by 7 pm. It will subsequently embark on the return journey to Lagos the following day.

"To sensitise commuters on the return of the long distant rail services, the corporation has decided to carry passengers to and from Ilorin free from March 23 to March 30," he said.

Mr Ndakotsu said the train would stop for passengers to board or disembark at major stations, including, Agege, Ijoko, Abeokuta and Ibadan.

Other stations are Iwo, Ede, Oshogbo, Ikirun, Inisha and Offa before getting to the Ilorin terminal.

"To make the MTTS an outstanding success, the corporation has dedicated some of its newly acquired locomotive power and coaching facilities to the passenger train project," the railway official said.

"The management of the corporation is determined to deliver effective and efficient rail transport services, which will ultimately give value for money as well as convenience and comfort to passengers."

He stated the NRC had achieved some success since it began a comprehensive rehabilitation of its facilities a year ago, including the procurement of 25 new General Electric locomotives.

The President's promise

President Goodluck Jonathan had assured Nigerians that the country's moribund rail system will begin to function before the end of the month.

Addressing a rally in Osogbo on March 3, in continuation of his presidential campaign, Mr Jonathan said the rail line between Lagos and Jebba will be completed and open for operation by the end of March.

"I have just received a report from the Chairman of the Nigeria Railway Corporation that by the end of this month, segment of railway between Lagos and Jebba would be completed and people will begin to board train from Osogbo," he said.

Mr Jonathan; the Vice President, Namadi Sambo; and Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel subsequently undertook a 98-km train journey on March 12 from Ebute-Meta Junction to Abeokuta to show the tracks were ready for operations.

Their train ride followed the commissioning of the new 25 locomotive engines procured by the NRC.

The Minister of Transport, Yussuff Suleman embarked on a test-run ride on the train from Ebute-Meta to Abeokuta in Ogun State on March11.

Mr Ndakotsu stated that the MTTS project had been replicated in Kano, Kaduna-Challawa, Jos and Maiduguri while a concrete sleeper had been established at Bodija, Ibadan.

"The cement freight train service for Lafarge Cement Company, Ewekoro; rehabilitation of the Lagos-Jebba rail line; refurbishment of coaches and wagons, workshops re-equipping and staff trainings had also been carried out," he said.

9am till 7pm, mtchew

That is a sign of Good government.keep it up.

weazley:

9am till 7pm, mtchew

at least they are progressing Rome wasn't built in a day