Train operations cannot commence until inter-state travel ban is lifted, says NRC

Adeyinka Aderibigbe

THE Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) says train operations nationwide cannot commence until the ban on interstate travel occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic is lifted by Federal Government, NRC’s Director of Operations Mr Niyi Alli has said.

The Federal Government had on April 28, announced a ban on interstate travels with effect from May 4, due to the spread of coronavirus.

Disclosing this in his office on Monday, the director said, the Mass Transit Train Service (MTTS) may be impossible until interstate travel ban is lifted.

“We cannot commence operations of Mass Transit Train Service (MTTS) until interstate travel ban is lifted by the Federal Government,’’ he said.

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Alli said that NRC was working out new acceptable guidelines of operation in order to help contain the spread of COVID-19.

”We are working out modalities on how to operate because the train is the largest means of transportation in commuting people from one state to another.

“Although the corporation has lost so much financially, but the safety of our customers remain paramount.

“We have been receiving calls, messages from our esteemed customers to commence operations but we cannot flout the Federal Government law on interstate travel ban.