The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) is still grappling with the aftermath of previous government-granted transportation fare waivers, according to the agency.
On Wednesday, the Federal Government revealed a 50% discount for road transport and a complete fare reduction of 100% for rail transportation. This initiative aimed to alleviate the challenges posed by the high cost of living in the country, particularly during the Yuletide season.
However, shortly after this announcement, Fidet Okhiria, the Managing Director of the NRC, lauded the positive step but voiced apprehensions regarding the financial implications of the intervention scheme. Okhiria expressed the hope that the government would cover the costs associated with the initiative.
“This is not the first time. We did this two years ago. It was effective. I say we’ve yet to recover from that. But what is the government for? The government is to make sure that people have comfort as much as possible,” he said on Thursday’s edition of Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
“And we are quite willing and wishing to provide that service. You know, you don’t forget in other developed world, they get this thing either directly or indirectly.
“You recall during the COVID, even private companies were given relief, and those without jobs like in the UK, US, and everywhere…So it’s a good thing that the government considers we should do a free service, but they should also be willing to provide the resources to do it.
“We are hoping this time they are going to give us fuel and those 15 days we are going to provide the free service. They are also willing to provide at least the money we pay to the cleaners and the security.”
The NRC boss explained that the agency will buy diesel to power the trains and other expenses.
The cost of transportation skyrocketed in Nigeria owing to the removal of fuel subsidy in a country where the majority of the people use road transportation.