The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Company (NRC), Engineer Fidet Okhiria, on Thursday, advised the Nigerian Tribune solely that the employees arrested on Thursday for ticket racketeering have been employees of the China Civil Engineering Development Company (CCECC) and never employees of the NRC.
That is even because the MD confirmed to the Nigerian Tribune that the free practice journey has been prolonged to seventh of January, 2024.
In an unique chat with the Nigerian Tribune, Engineer Fidet Okhiria stated that the employees who have been arrested over ticket racketeering on the Ebute-Metta practice station have been attempting to take advantage of the loopholes created because of the closure of ticketing stations in any respect stations by the NRC.
In keeping with the NRC MD, “The folks arrested aren’t my staff. They’re employees of the CCECC. Don’t overlook that we’ve closed down all ticketing stations at our varied practice stations to keep away from chaotic conditions because of folks attempting to benefit from the free ticket interval that was opened by the Federal Authorities.
“However the CCECC staff weren’t conscious of this and tried to take advantage of passengers through ticket racketeering due to the push for tickets. They aren’t my staff. They’re CCECC staff.”
On the extension of the free practice journey, the NRC MD defined that the free practice journey has been prolonged until seventh of January, 2024.
“I known as you earlier to tell you that the free ticket interval has been prolonged. It can now finish on the seventh of January, 2024,” the NRC MD advised the Nigerian Tribune solely.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had on the twentieth of December, 2023 accepted a 50 p.c low cost for inter-state highway travels, and 100% for practice journeys, for Nigerians travelling to have fun Christmas with their households.
Dele Alake, minister of stable minerals, disclosed the event whereas briefing state home correspondents. He stated the low cost will run from December 21 to January 4, 2024.
“In recognition of the financial scenario of the nation which he’s working very arduous to show round, Nigeria President needs Nigerians to have the ability to journey inside Nigeria to wherever they wish to go to satisfy their family members with out the extra-burden of paying exorbitantly for inter-state public transportation,” he stated.
“It’s on this smart that the Federal Authorities is asserting, starting from tomorrow, a particular discounted vacation season fare on highway transport and zero-fare by rail throughout Nigeria.
“What this implies is that from tomorrow, Nigerians prepared to journey can board public transport through luxurious buses at 50% low cost of present value and all our practice companies on the routes the trains at the moment serve at zero value back and forth on their travels this vacation season.”
Alake stated to realize the low cost, the federal authorities by means of the ministry of transportation, will likely be working with transporters, highway transport unions, and the Nigerian Railway Company (NRC).
“The federal authorities beneath the management of president Tinubu is working very arduous to verify Nigerians have a memorable and joyful vacation season,” he added.
“The president has already directed the police, division of state companies, the navy and different safety companies to work collaboratively to make sure the vacation interval is protected with none safety breach in any a part of the nation.
“Whereas we want all Nigerians an excellent vacation season, we implore everybody to be legislation abiding, be safety acutely aware, be our brother’s keepers, lengthen each goodwill to our households, pals and neighbours.
“We should always proceed to work inside our sphere of affect to make our nation the perfect all of us want her to be.
“Whereas we have fun and luxuriate in all of the social actions that include the season, allow us to additionally bear in mind to have fun carefully”.
When contacted, an official of the CCECC, Austin Mao promised to get again to our reporter on the matter.
Nevertheless, he was but to answer as on the time of submitting on this report.
READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE