Train services as a means of transportation are one of the most efficient and effective means of transport both in developed countries and developing countries like Nigeria. Worldwide this has been acknowledged and this is the more reason governments of countries are investing heavily in rail transport service.
Train services as means of transport are the most economical to manage and maintain. Besides maintenance economy, train can travel long distances and continues to deliver goods and services, station by station as it goes. It conveys large quantities of products at a time like petroleum products, telecommunication equipment, construction and engineering materials and very large quantities of agricultural produce.
Train services create a very wide range of employment both skilled, semi-skilled and non-skilled. It creates value chain of businesses within its route, via markets and sales outlets in every major and sub major stations where train stops. And as such bring developments in the hinterlands.
When we talk of trains carrying human passengers it runs into hundreds and sometimes thousands covering so many local areas where conventional vehicles cannot enter and by this help, those in the local areas to bring out their farm produce to the cities and towns which reduces losses and wastages for famers.
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Train services reduce pressure on the roads, especially the heavy-duty trucks that have been known to be causing road collapse. This reduces the cost of road maintenance.
Efficient and effective train services bring down prices of goods and services as little is spent in conveying them. This applies so much in the conveyance of heavy equipment, petroleum products, among others.
For the quick realisation of the lofty ideas on train transport, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, must bring the issue to the front burner.
The federal and state governments should as a matter of urgency rehabilitate the rail lines within their domains, provide maintenance services as well as ensuring that there is adequate security on the routes.
This is one of the ways of ensuring that the vulnerable and poor masses of this country can be made to feel the impact of democracy and bring prices of goods and services down.
Elder Ajuzie Chimaobi resides in Abuja
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