The federal government has finally inaugurated the Port Harcourt-Aba train service.
This is as it declared a 4-day free train ride from May 1-4, to encourage and drive the usage of the 62-kilometre train service adding that commercial services will kick off from May 7 at the price of N1,000 for VIP and N800 for economy class.
Via a statement by the federal ministry of transportation on Tuesday, Saidu Alkali, minister of transportation, said transportation is one of the eight key priorities of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, hence, his focus on the eastern rail corridor project since taking office.
Alkali said the commencement of the train service is part of the intensified drive by FG to facilitate trade, enhance mobility, and accessibility, as well as ensure connectivity between regions.
“With the completion of the rehabilitation of the Port-Harcourt to Aba rail corridor, the Ministry will continue to vigorously drive the contractor Messrs CCECC towards the speedy completion and delivery of the 181 kilometres Aba-Enugu stretch,” Alkali said.
“The fare for the Port-Harcourt to Aba train service has been pegged at #1000 for VIP & #800 for economy class.”
Fidet Okhiria, the managing director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), said the locomotives and coaches used for the flag-off are refurbished ones.
Okhiria said the contractor is expected to deliver 50 narrow gauge locomotives and 100 narrow gauge coaches to be deployed along existing train corridors in the country.
