The Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali says Government is determined to reduce the financial burden on Nigerians through investments in the sector.
He made this known at the flag off of the Port Harcourt-Aba passenger train service.
The complete distance of the Eastern Narrow Guage rail line from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri is 1443 kilometers long.
From Port Harcourt to Aba is 62 kilometers, but the completion of this phase is a major milestone considering several missed deadlines.
For the ministry, the opening of this route would ease movement and business between Rivers and Abia State.
Travelling by road from Port Harcourt to Aba costs at least 2,000 naira, but a trip on the train would cost 1500 naira.
The Minister promised that extra measures would be taken to further reduce the price for a train ride.
Many residents are happy to see the train back on the track after a long time.
They are hoping the return would be sustained and the services improved over time.
Railway officials say there will be free train rides until the 4th of May, while full commercial operations resume on the 7th.
The train would be departing for Aba by 8am and begin the journey back to Port -Harcourt by 3pm.
