Rail Transport System Reduces Road Congestion – NURW Boss

Effective rail transport
brings optimal solution to road congestion and saves the road from dilapidation.
This assertion was made by the President General of the Nigeria Union of Railway Workers (NURW), Comrade Rachael Okoro, during a public function in Port Harcourt, recently.
Okoro noted that rail line transportation would help road networks from being damaged years ahead of their lifespan, and commended the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan on his Transformation Agenda on the transport sector in the country.
The union boss opined that the strong political will and financial commitment to continue in this direction is worthy of commendation, as it would also give the commuting and freighting Nigerians an enviable rail transport system that inspires socio-economic growth that would give the masses a sense of belonging.
According to him, effective rail transport system would boost economic growth, generate more employment opportunities and save time of journey, stressing that its environmental  benefits cannot be over-emphasised as it drastically reduces vehicular noise and emission of carbon monoxide as well as safety of lives and property.
Effective rail transport brings about reduction of journey time, economic efficiency, employment generation and significant economic growth. It brings about social equity, tremendous increase in the use of public transport and it generates urbanization”, he reiterated.
He also noted that rail transport system has nothing to do with road traffic congestion as they make the roads to be less busy and less risky to ply, and lauded the management of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) for their initiative and zeal to rehabilitate rail transport.
It would be recalled that the Port Harcourt – Enugu rail line of about 804 kilometers that cost the government a whopping sum of over N19 billion was inaugurated for use by the Vice President, Nnamadi Sambo, recently.

Collins Barasimeye