COVID-19: We are not starting passengers train operations yet, says NRC

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) says its Mass Transit Train Service (MTTS) will not commence operations for now in view of Federal Government’s restriction on interstate movements.

Mr Niyi Alli, Director of Operations of the Corporation, told the newsmen in Lagos on Friday that the MTTS would not start operations since they ran from one state to the other.

Alli said: “You have to understand that all our train services run from one state to another.

“For example, the Lagos MTT crosses from Iddo in Lagos to Ijoko in Ogun State, while the Abuja one goes to Kaduna and vice versa.

“Basically because of the interstate lockdown and to also help in containing the spread of CÒVID-19 pandemic, train operations have to be suspended,” he said.

Alli said that the NRC would rather continue with its freight train service which had not stopped.

“We are going to see how we can ramp up by increasing the frequency and volume of freight that we evacuate from the port.

“We shall be reviewing our operations as further directives arise from the federal and state governments,” he said.

The NRC official, however, said that only principal officers, directors, managing director and administrative staff needed in pure administrative capacity would resume on Monday, May 4, 2020, as directed by the Federal Government.

“We are going to declare the whole Railway Compound masked; you cannot walk around without using face mask, there will be checks at all entrances.

“Soap, water and hand sanitiser will also be provided under strict supervision,” Alli said.