ZHUL-HAJJ 28, 1429 A.H.
FRIDAY DEC. 26, 2008.
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Rail transport returns to Kaduna
By Modupe Seriboh
For several decades, rail transport system has been in the doldrums in Kaduna. But recently, it is coming back to life.
And for many residents of the state, the initial appearance of the trains seemed like a joke as some thought it was just another flash in the pan when the hooting horn of moving coaches and wagons pierced through the city 10 months ago.
The railway revival programme that began in February 2008 has continued to record success with more routes being covered, while the services are now more frequent.
At the launch of the programme, Governor Namadi Sambo said it was a product of Public/Private Partnership (PPP) agreement between the state government and the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC).
He said that the programme was targeted at easing intra-city movement, especially for the poor.
Specifically, he said that the programme would boost both the transportation of people and their agricultural produce from the rural to the urban areas.
According to him, the state government spent N55 million to conclude arrangement for the NRC to commence the service from Rigachikun in the Northern part of Kaduna to Tsaunin Kura in the south.
With the success of the first phase of the scheme, the second phase which would involve routes from Makarfi to Kafanchan town, about 200 km from Kaduna metropolis, was launched on November 23.
Currently, a flat rate of N20 is paid per trip for a journey from Rigachikun to the Tsaunin Kura.
The same trip costs N200 by bus.
Also, a journey by rail from Kaduna to Kafanchan costs N240. That journey will cost more than N1,000 if undertaken by bus.
For many commuters, the scheme is rewarding as they say they can now move easily with their produce and wares. They describe the trip as very difficult if undertaken by road.
``Now I can go to various markets and other strategic business areas at a very minimal cost,'' says Alhaji Sule Datti, a yam seller.
Besides the cost effectiveness of the trip, Datti says that the train shuttle service is a more reliable transport system as one is sure of when to leave and what time to arrive his destination.
``The busses will normally wait until they are filled; the train waits for no one,'' he adds.
A petty trader, Hajia Maimuna Maigizo, says that she is particularly impressed by the speed of the trains, adding that her journeys are no longer truncated or delayed by unnecessary delays and traffic hold-ups in the ever-busy state capital.
``Before, I used to pay between N350 to N400 to transport a bag of maize by road from Rigachikun to Sabon Tasha. Such costs are usually transferred to the buyer.
``But with the train service, such a trip now cost only a paltry N50 and that has forced down the price of the commodity,'' she says.
Investigations have also shown that peasant farmers from all parts of the state find it easy to transport fresh farm produce to the markets, especially to the famous Kasuwan Talata Market in Kawo, Kaduna.
Mallam Garba Sabo Birni, a yam seller, says that he could now sell yams and other produce at reduced prices because he spends less to transport them by rail, contrary to what obtained in the recent past.
Speaking recently to railway officials and the Senate Committee on Land Transport, Sambo advised other state governments having railway corridors in their state to utilise the routes to ease the movement of their citizens.
According to the governor, railway still has the potential both in terms of personnel and facilities that could keep the train running if the corporation is financially supported.
He says that the railway is the only means of transportation that can fast-track the development of any society.
He says that the next phase of the project would link the border cities in the northern and the southern parts of the state, and urged the Senators to support the government’s proposed new lines that would link the state with Abuja.
Sambo revealed that when that is completed, the lines would make it possible for passengers to reach Kaduna in 45 minutes.
With the success recorded so far, the governor explained that the state had already concluded plans to float a Railway Transport Company to be registered and called the Kaduna State Transport Service Limited.
According to him, the company will buy coaches from the United Kingdom to replace the ones currently in use which were manufactured in the 1950s.
Analysts say that it is a testimony to the programme's success that seven other states, Cross River, Lagos, Niger, Oyo, Delta, Adamawa and Zamfara, have begun moves to join hands with the NRC to revive the corporation's services in their areas.
They described the railway projects as very crucial to transportation, especially to minimise the pressure on the roads.
But to fully rejuvenate the rail system, analysts have called for proper funding to enable it replace most of the facilities said to be obsolete.
``The Kaduna initiative has shown that it is possible to revive the rail system once there is the political will.
``What the state has established is the fact that the venture depends not necessarily on heavy funding,
but the political will of governments,'' Alhaji Salawu Mamman, a railway expert said.
The NRC Managing Director, Mr Jetson Nwankwo, said recently that the PPP agreements started by the states would lead to the expansion and modernisation of the rail system.
The NRC boss notes that 944 coaches had so far been repaired under the new partnership agreements.
To prepare the NRC for the new challenge, he said that workers of the corporation are currently being trained in the use of the recently acquired fire-fighting equipment.
For Nigerians praying for a stronger rail system, much hope appears to be in the air as the National Assembly has already initiated a bill to enhance private investment in the rail transport sector.
Sen. Garba Lado, Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transportation, who initiated the bill, says it will strengthen safety regulations, give powers to grant concessions and create avenues for public-private partnership in the sector.
``The PPP is central to revamping the rail transport system,'' he said, and explained that revamping the railways is a capital intensive venture requiring pooling of resources together. (NANFeatures).
