The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) thursday in Kano, inaugurated the Kano- Port-Harcourt Inter-City Mixed Train Service for easy transportation of goods from the northern part of the country to the eastern part.
Speaking at the ceremony held at the NRC in Kano, the Managing Director, Mr. Adesuyi Sijuwade, said for over a decade, train movement from Kano through Kafanchan to Port Harcourt had ceased.
Adesuyi said the old thriving movement of goods from Kofar Wambai Market , Kantin Kwari and Kurmi Market in Kano by rail to Ogbete Market in Enugu Ariari Market in Aba and Diobu Market in Port Harcourt had been comatose.
He stated that the newly introduced train service comprises two 68- seater Air conditioned modern first class passenger coaches, restaurant coach for comfort on board and several class coaches.
The Managing Director said the train service will initially run one trip per week and will increase in frequency as patronages improves, adding that it will also include baggage vans to carry various categories of goods such as refined groundnut oil, onions, cotton and textile materials.
He maintained that Kano is renowned for being the homestead of age-old groundnut pyramid, hides and skin, great ginneries, ceramics and agricultural products.
In his remarks, Kano State governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, described the decision to launch the mixed train service in Kano as a monumental feat capable of promoting the commercial status of Kano as a revered centre of commerce in the African region.
The governor who was represented by the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, called on the business community to fully patronise the new train, stressing that the people of the state are poised to benefit from the opportunity offered to them by the federal government.
Also speaking, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, described the train service as a good omen for the people of Kano, saying it would facilitate the movement of goods to the eastern part of the country and also enhance speedy economic growth.
