Transport minister Sa’idu Alkali has pledged to support the plan by the Kaduna government to reintroduce train services in Kaduna, which was suspended years ago.

A statement on Thursday by transport ministry spokesperson Ahmed Yidikawu said the minister made the pledge in Abuja when he met with a delegation from Kaduna.

The minister said he was fully committed to transforming the transport sector by adding more value through partnerships.

“As the Kaduna government plan to embark on (the)provision of special train mass transit service to its citizens, we would fully support the initiative,” Mr Alkali added. “I will partake at every level of discussions in order to actualise the project. We will work together to achieve the feat.” 

The minister explained that the ministry had set up a technical committee to design a Memorandum of Understanding and urged the committee to conclude the assignment and fast-track the train services’ take-off.

The leader of the delegation, Muhammed Bello, had appealed to the ministry to support the initiative as it would promote the sector and ease the cost of transportation for citizens.

The managing director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Felix Okhiria, said some state governments, including Kaduna and Plateau, had indicated interest in the mass transit train service.

He said the initiative would cushion the subsidy removal effects, enhancing passenger safety and convenience. 

(NAN)