The Federal Government may have suspended the Iju-Abeokuta free train ride. The initiative began after the test run of that portion of the route was flagged off by the Federal Government on February 8.
The suspension, it was gathered was aimed at ensuring that the contractor have unfettered access to accelerate the completion of the project.
The China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) has made a commitment to deliver the project before mid-year.
The Minister of Transport Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi had after the test run on the Iju to Abeokuta Standard gauge railway line early last month alongside Ogun State Governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the Alake of Egbaland promised free train ride on the route from Monday to Friday for three months in order to create awareness before commercialising the service. Amaechi had directed three return shuttles especially to support people living at the border towns who may be working or trading in Lagos.
But the District Manager Engr Jerry Oche confirmed on Wednesday, the suspension of the test run and free shuttle for passengers.
He said the Corporation had to take the very difficult decision in the overall interest of the timely delivery of the project.
According to him, the continuous use of the track would negatively impact on the construction.
He added that the free train ride actually commenced in compliance with the Ministerial directive.
The corporation has also being coming to terms with passenger apathy on the Iju-Abeokuta rail line. Apart from the CCECC and the Nigerian Railway Corporation’s staff that are usually on board, the train according to a source does not carry more than seven passengers per trip.
NRC’s Deputy Director Public Relations Mr. Mahmud Yakub however attributed the low turnout of passengers to the absence of railway stations where passengers could board or disembark from the train on the 47 km stretch between Iju and Abeokuta. He said the Corporation anticipates more patronage once the stations slated to be built on the route finally takes off.
The suspension might have gone to reinforced speculation that the track laying from Kajola to Ijoko and Iju was rushed in order to score cheap political point that had positive impact on the campaign for President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election.
It was further held that now that the objective has been achieved, the government may not be in a hurry to complete the project.