The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) reveals it’s still grappling with the aftermath of previous fare waivers by the government.
The Federal Government recently announced a 50% waiver on road transport and a 100% fare reduction for rail travel to alleviate the impact of the high cost of living, especially during the festive season.
However, the Managing Director of the NRC, Fidet Okhiria, expressed concerns about the financial implications of the intervention scheme.
While commending the initiative, he emphasized the need for government support to cover the costs associated with providing free services.
Okhiria noted that the NRC is willing to offer comfort to the public but stressed the importance of adequate resources for such endeavors.
During an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Okhiria drew parallels with relief measures in other developed countries, citing instances during the COVID pandemic when private companies received support.
He urged the government to provide resources for fuel, security, and payments to cleaners during the period of free service.
The NRC boss clarified that the agency would need to purchase diesel to power the trains and cover additional expenses.
The move comes amid a significant surge in transportation costs in Nigeria following the removal of fuel subsidies, impacting a nation where road transportation is predominant.
