The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has reaffirmed the Corporation’s commitment to enhancing service delivery for Nigerians.
Speaking at the Iddo Train Station, Dr Opeifa assured daily commuters travelling from Ijoko and other border communities in Ogun State to Iddo and Idumota on Lagos Island of improved railway operations.
Since 1956, this flower pot has stood as a silent witness to the history of the NRC Iddo Terminal. As we drive the Renewed Hope Rail Revolution, We are committed to preserving and restoring it as one of our historical artifacts.
Our heritage matters, and so does our future… pic.twitter.com/QVQsUIZGgo
— Dr Kayode Opeifa (DKO) (@DrKayodeOpeifa) March 21, 2025
He further announced the revival of the 2 PM Mass Transit Train Service (MTTS) in response to passenger demand, emphasising the NRC’s dedication to meeting the transportation needs of the public.
The district manager, Augustine Arisa, and district superintendent, Mrs. Chidinma Mba, also informed the MD that the prosperity of the Idumota market is also related to the operations of the MTT line, as any day the train does not run, the market feels it.
“NRC management, being aware of the centrality of the MTT Kajola to Iddo rail line to the continued prosperity of the Iddo, Idumota, and some other big markets in Lagos, will not only continue to sustain the line but also work to add additional service after careful commercial market viability and sustainability studies,” Opeifa said.
He was at Iddo Station to assess the available space in preparation for upcoming developmental and revitalisation initiatives.
According to him, the transformation of the Iddo Terminal is central to the corporation’s goal to significantly improve the terminal’s infrastructure, optimize its capacity and elevate the passenger experience.
He also assured that the management would urgently embark on the rehabilitation of the coaches to improve the ambience of the interior of the trains and the Iddo stations for better customer experience and patronage.
Opeifa said he would not hesitate to terminate the contract of any contractor not willing or ready to add value to the corporation’s service.
The managing director, who spent some time going around the Iddo Station, also directed the installation of solar panels around the station to better improve the lighting condition, even as he sent the signal that a comprehensive review of all land leases around the station is underway.
The NRC Managing Director had earlier commenced his maiden tour of the NRC districts across the country, with a tour to the running shed of the corporation at Ebute Metta, which he learnt was a hub to other districts.
He expressed delight at the industry of ironmen (women engineers and technicians) working in the corporation who are competing with their male counterparts in ensuring that all the nation’s rolling assets are in serviceable condition.
Opeifa, who observed that there are no scraps in the railway, reiterated earlier calls on Nigerians to beware of anyone vandalising the rail materials across the country, adding that security agencies, especially the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), have been directed to prosecute anyone caught vandalising any rail assets.
He said the corporation would put back to shape as many narrow gauge locomotives still serviceable and would deploy them across the country to serve passenger traffic anywhere the corporation had existing train lines, just as the federal government aggressively continues to invest in and expand the national standard gauge corridor.
Addressing all challenges, Opeifa directed that under no circumstances should the ticket not work to relieve passengers with disabilities from accessing the train. He equally said efforts are being made to see how the issue of those missing their train would be addressed, even as he disclosed that the NRC and LAMATA are working on how to ensure passengers could co-switch and access the metro train to continue their journey from the stations.
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