The Plateau State government has entered into a partnership with the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) to revive rail transportation in Jos and its environs.

The new development comes as residents of the state, especially striking government workers, continue to complain about the harsh economic conditions, especially with the removal of fuel subsidy.

A team of experts from the railway corporation, alongside government officials, embarked on an inspection tour to ascertain the level of damage done to railway facilities.

Speaking to journalists, the permanent secretary, ministry of environment, Sunday Choji, said that Governor Caleb Mutfwang had given them a ‘matching order’ to revive mass transportation to cushion suffering in the state.

“His Excellency, the governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, gave us a matching order to look at those ways that we can reduce the suffering of the masses. As such, we found out based on our blueprint that railway is one,” he said.

He also revealed that part of the first phase of the project was to launch an urban mass transportation service within the state capital.

“We now want to see a situation where we can start with an urban mass transit train services on the Plateau,” he added.

Also responding to journalists, railway district manager, North Central, Austin Ashibekun, said minimal damages were done to railway facilities in the state following an inspection by his team of experts.

“You can agree with me that there is minimal damage. All we are going to do here is maintenance. (For) example, some of the timbres on the tracks are rotten (rusted) and soaked with water. It is not an issue,” he said.

Most of the rail lines within the state, especially in Bukuru and Terminus axis, have been overtaken by petty traders owing to the abandoned state of rail lines.

Mr Mutfwang, during his inaugural speech, promised to prioritise transportation in the state.

“Road and transport, I wish to assure you and inform you that we are already discussing with some of the contractors of the abandoned roads. And sooner than later, some of them will return to site,” he said.