The House of Representatives Committee on Land Transport has expressed its determination to make Nigeria a global leader in rail transportation.
Hon. Musa Sarkin - Adar, the committee's Chairman, made the pledge in Ibadan on Wednesday after members arrived by rail from Lagos through one of the shuttle services of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).
The lawmaker said improved rail transport would develop the economy of the country greatly.
"We are hoping in the very near future, Nigeria will join those nations that have available rail services that can take you from one end of the country to another end within one day," Sarkin - Adar said.
He said it was painful seeing Nigerians suffering while going by buses on trips that would take them days.
Sarkin - Adar said as much as the committee sympathised with ordinary Nigerians, it was also aware of the numerous challenges being faced by the NRC.
"We are doing our best to make sure that NRC is now made to be among the first three organisations that are best operated in this country, " he said.
The committee chairman also expressed the hope of the committee that NRC would intensify effort to fast track the completion of the Jebba - Kano rail track.
He said they embarked on the Lagos - Ibadan rail trip in order to see for themselves the challenges facing rail transport and the progress made by the NRC in the South.
Sarkin - Adar said that his committee would support NRC with all the legal framework needed to develop the rail transportation sector.
Answering questions from reporters later, the Railway District Manager, Western District, Ibadan, Mr Folorunso Gbadamosi, assured Nigerians that Lagos - Kano direct rail services would commence between May and June.
He also said that the frequency of rail traffic had been increased on the Lagos - Ilorin route.
"We now run passenger train four trips weekly from Iddo in Lagos to Ilorin and back to Iddo.
“On Tuesdays, we have the journey from Iddo to Ilorin and on Wednesdays, the journey back from Ilorin to Iddo.
Yesterday, we have Iddo to Ilorin and on Sunday, the train moves back to Iddo," Gbadamosi explained.
The Managing Director of the NRC, Mr Seyi Sijuwade, also accompanied the legislators on the trip.
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