The Station manager, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Eastern District, Port Harcourt, Mr. Kingsley Abiodun has said that traders do not have the mandate of the NRC authorities for carrying out business activities along the rail lines in Port Harcourt.
Abiodun who spoke to Our Correspondent in Port Harcourt recently in a telephone interview said that was why the railways authority could never grant permit to any person or group trade around the rail lines.
According to him, it was even improper for pedestrians and traders alike to go near the rail lines.
“Not only traders, even pedestrians are not allowed to cross or go near the rail lines”, he said.
On the continuous use of the rail line zone especially at the mile one axis by traders despite efforts by the authorities  to sensitise them on the dangers inherent in the act, the NRC boss said the traders were on their own.
“They are on their own, we cannot give them permit so on the whole, they are on their own”, he said.
Asked if the traders could be arrested by the railway or regular Police for the unauthorized trading, Abiodun still maintained his stand that the traders were on their own.
Speaking on the operations of train services in the zone so far, the Station Manager revealed that the train departs Enugu every Monday by 7.00am and arrives Port Harcourt by 4.00pm, adding that the fare for popular costs N650 while fist class costs N1,50.00.
He further explained  that the train departs Port Harcourt by 7.00am on Tuesdays and arrives Kafanchan the next day.