The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to introduce the electronic system of ticketing for the Lagos – Ibadan and Warri – Itakpe train stations on the First of November, 2023.
The Honourable Minister of Transportation, Senator Saidu Alkali, has launched an electronic ticketing platform to further serve Nigerian citizens as they seek to do train ride from Warri to Itakpe and from Lagos to Ibadan routes which were concessioned on private public partnership earlier in the year.
The launch of the e-ticketing was held at the headquarters of the Ministry in Abuja on Monday, 30th October, 2023, in the full glare of cameras of national television stations and media representatives.
At the launch, Senator Alkali stated that the e-ticketing became imperative following incessant complaints of wide-spread corruption of sharp practices, unethical behaviour, and ticket racketeering by the operators and “agents” at the train station.
The Minister reiterated that the automation will curb ticket racketeering, to a large extent; it will increase revenue for the government and address some prevailing security challenges experienced in the sector.
According to him, ” The essence of E-ticketing is to make it easy for our passengers, to buy tickets, for security purposes and to stop ticket racketeering.
“From Wednesday, November 1st, Nigerians will enjoy the benefits of buying tickets at their own convenience and without any issues.”
Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Fidet Okharia, revealed that the initiative has improved the revenue generated at the two train routes.
Hear him, ” I can also announce that for the fear of the e-ticketing coming, we can see our revenue growing. I can boldly say that throughout last week, we didn’t earn anything less than N4 million a day on the Itakpe – Warri route “
” I am certain that with this launch, I will stop receiving calls on why my staff are cheating Nigerians,” he added.
Mr Okharia further assured stakeholders that the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) will sanitize the sector, and the management has commenced disciplinary actions on erring staff as 14 persons have been sanctioned already.
Also present at the event were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, Directors and Senior Management staff of the Ministry.
Reported by Precious Ufuoma Jeremiah (Principal Information Officer)
Olujimi A. Oyetomi
Director, Press & Public Relations