THERE are indications that the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) may, on Thursday, commence the rolling out of its newly refurbished coaches, in a bid to continue to guarantee efficient and effective train services regime in the country.

The image maker and spokesman of the corporation, Tunde Esan, who disclosed this in Lagos, on Monday, said the management took the decision to ensure availability, affordability, mass carriage and safety and to also show that its direct labour approach could help in saving resources of the country.

Esan said the NRC would begin the initial take-off with the stock currently on the Kaduna-Minna axis, after which the gesture might be extended to other routes.

“This initial roll out of phase one of a planned rehabilitation of the entire rolling stock in the system will be utilised on Minna-Kaduna-Minna mass transit train service, while, in another few weeks, coaches of mass transit trains in Lagos, Ilorin, and Kaduna will be withdrawn systematically for rehabilitation, without any disruption to passenger train services.

“The rolling stock refurbished at various locations of the corporation includes 12 economy class coaches, one restaurant, one business class coach at Zaria workshop; one canteen coach, two sleeper coaches, six parcel vans, two power cars and one business class coach at Lagos workshop,” he said.

He added that other coaches included three economy class coaches, three business class coaches in the carriage and wagon workshop, Ebute Metta, Lagos; aside from another set of 49 steel wagons, three guard vans at Minna workshop; 30 hopper wagons at Apapa; and eight covered steel wagons at Zaria workshop.

He maintained that the gradual roll out of the refurbished rolling stock was part of the approach to address perceived congestion of the mass transit trains; while showcasing the quality of work done by the NRC engineering staff.

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RE:RETROGRESSIVE THINKING
written by MUSA OLAIWON, August 21, 2012

Nigerian Leaders are retrogressive thinkers and that is why the country is not developing in revolutionary speed. Nigerians' leaders are thinking of using refurbished coaches when new one will be better and cost effective.
Chinese contractors who are handling the contracts are laughing to the banks and their economy is one of the fastest growing in the world.
Chinese are no longer using the type of coaches we are using in Nigeria because they are no longer on production unless you order them specially. Having traveled on train from London to Belgium by train and within the UK, i discovered that our leaders are very myopic in their leadership and thinking. How on earth should our leaders be deceiving the nation by second class performances and being led by Nigeria third eleven as against our first eleven and you want them to deliver?
Some of these leaders have traveled to China and Japan where bullet trains are currently being used and they are accepting these type of refurbished coaches from these contractors?
Nigeria is a failed nation until it is proven otherwise because i can't understand the logic in these type of arrangement.
Nigeria needs leaders who will think ahead of his time in time like this. The nation can't continue to develop at this pedestrian rate.Nigeria as a nation lost their fortune in leadership the day election of 1979 was rigged by Chief Obasanjo led Government against the best candidate, the rest is history. Chief Awolowo wasa born at wrong time and in a wrong country.
God bless Nigeria.
Musa Olaiwon is a native of Ikire in Irewole Local Government of Nigeria.

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