The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa, has commenced preparation for the upcoming developmental and revitalization initiatives of the Corporation ,assuring Nigerians of the readiness to serve them better, as he embarked on the tour of the districts under the NRC.

He stated this at the Iddo Train Station as part of his tour of the Railways Districts guaranteeing train passengers, commuting daily from Ijoko and other border communities in Ogun State to Iddo and Idumota axis of the Lagos Island, that the Corporation will revive the 2pm mass transit train service (MTTS) in line with their demands.

The District Manager, Engr 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 work to add addition service after careful commercial market viability and sustainability studies”, Opeifa said.

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 round the Iddo Station, also directed the installation of solar panels around the station to better improve the lightening condition, even as he sent the signal that a comprehensive review of all land leases around the station is underway.

Opeifa was nostalgic about the several interesting monuments and railway relics, called on corporate organisations and other philanthropists, to support the corporation in the area of provision of conveniences for train passengers as part of their corporate social responsibility.

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 iron men (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 conditions.

The tour took him to the store. Opeifa directed that the management must commence the painting of several legacy buildings of the corporation across the country. He added that the corporation is determined to improve its image as a frontline mobility service provider and the hub for logistics services in the country.

Opeifa who observed that there are no scraps in the railway, reiterated earlier calls on Nigerians to beware of anyone vandalizing 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 vandalizing 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 it had existing train lines, just as the federal government aggressively continue to invest and expand the national standard gauge corridor.

The tour also took the Managing Director to the Battery Room, as well as the laboratory, an inspection of all the mechanical fluids which was a crucial facility responsible for analyzing the quality and integrity of mechanical fluids used in NRC rail operations.

He assured the laboratory that the management under his watch would continue to support their growth and development as he himself trained and once worked as an Analytical chemist.

The tour also took Opeifa to Agege Station where he had a closed door meeting with officials from the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), led by the Director Rail Services Engr Olasunkanmi Okusaga, on how to firm up security challenges between the two stations Babatunde Raji Fashola Station and the Lagos State Train Station at Agege Station.

Opeifa who was led round by the Agege Station Manager Mrs Ese Asowata, went round to check the Station’s conveniences, the VIP Lounge, the control room, the ticketing lounge and administrative sections among others.

The Managing Director took time to address the concerns of some train passengers, one of them, Olatunde Apata, who complained of what could be done for any passenger who missed his train. Apata, who was heading to the Prof. Wole Soyinka Station, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, had missed his train because he went to pray.

Addressing all challenges, Opeifa directed that under no circumstances should the ticket not work to relief passengers with disability access 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 at how to ensure passengers could co-switch and access the metro train to continue their journey from the stations.

The federal government has announced that Rivers State’s financial allocation will be released to the newly appointed administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.).

Speaking at the State House in Abuja, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency, stating that it was necessary to prevent a political implosion in the state.

Fagbemi also dismissed claims that Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike played a role in the crisis that led to the emergency declaration.

On Tuesday, Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months, citing political instability, constitutional breaches, and security threats.

The president appointed Ibas as the state’s administrator while assuring that the judicial arm of Rivers State remains functional, with the state government operating under federal supervision until normalcy is restored.

Ibas will take over from Governor Siminalayi Fubara who was suspended for six months by President Tinubu following the declaration of a State of Emergency in the oil-rich State.

The development followed a prolonged political crisis in the State arising from the face-off between Fubara and 27 lawmakers.

Tinubu in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday evening said: “By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months.

“In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate.

“The Administrator will not make any new laws. He will, however, be free to formulate regulations as may be found necessary to do his job, but such regulations will need to be considered and approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the President for the state.”