Sallah: Osun Explains Inability To Provide Free Train Ride

Osun State government has blamed a damaged train track for its inability to provide free train ride for indigenes to Osun for the Eid-el-Kabir festival from Lagos and its environs.

A statement made available to newsmen in Osogbo by the spokesperson to the governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, he said the government had put in place proper machinery to offer the Imole Train Services but was forced to suspend the service after the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) informed it of an accident around Abeokuta-Lagos old gauge line.

Announcing the suspension of the free train ride, the Osun State Ministry of Commerce expressed regret at the inability of the state government to facilitate the free ride for indigenes during the festive period.

The state government said all rail lines are under the purview of the federal government, and as such, the issue of the damaged lines was totally out of the control of the state government.

It also noted that the state government could not continue with the free train ride service out of concern for the safety of passengers, which the damaged track has put into serious doubt.

“Adeleke’s administration recognizes the immediate challenge that the suspension of the free train ride service portends, and assures of ongoing efforts to avoid similar experience in the future,’’ the statement added.