The new and vigorous effort to revive the Railway Culture in Nigeria is to be welcomed by us all. No nation, not least a modern nation or more one aspiring to the 20-20-20 status, can ignore rail transportation. We recall the subways or underground, light trains, the metro and the fast trains or express lines that have distinguished developed and forward-looking countries in the comity of nations.
While we work on the long distance tracks and haulage services, the real need and star product must be passenger service - the age-old commuter trains. I’m happy that the NRC and some state governments are already doing this. Kudos to Kaduna, Lagos, Rivers and the FCT specifically. Kano, Oyo, Plateau, Edo-Delta-Ondo: let’s cite you soon!
Imagine what a blast we would have if Lagos and Abuja have dedicated speed trains and each hub is linked to by special workers/commuter lines from their neighbouring states! People will simply live in their home states and go to work in Lagos and Abuja, with all the cross-cutting benefits! And we can achieve this in 12 months if we are serious - okay, give us 24 months.
Now, which governor or president has a problem with that? Which parliament? And which private sector?
As for jobs, you do the maths.
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