Nigerian Newsday

By Iliyasu Musa

The Federal Government has been called upon to resuscitate the ailing railway system of transportation to ease the hardship being faced by commuters in the country.

Making the call in an exclusive interview with Nigerian Newsday in Lafia last week, the Sarkin Sudan, Lafia, Alhaji Makama Dunama, said that an improved railway system would reduce the rates of accidents on our roads.

Alhaji Dunama attributed most of the accidents on Nigerian roads to lack of good road network, traffic congestion and lack of a viable railway system of transportation, which he described as a good alternative to road transport the world over.

He recalled that in the 60s, when rail services were effective in Nigeria, the masses had little or no problem transporting heavy goods and services across the country.

He also referred to the issue of armed robbery that ravaged our roads to lack of the effective use of rail transport system in the country, saying that, "armed robbers can hardly face the train while on transit".

The Sarkin Sudan of Lafia then used this medium to congratulate the Emir of Lafia and the chairman, Nasarawa State traditional council, Alhaji Isa Mustapha Agwai I, on his attainment of his 32 years on throne and prayed God to give the emir the wisdom and strength to continue with his good leadership.