The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has disclosed that the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, has approved the commencement of the Port Harcourt-Aba Mass Transit Train Service.

In a statement signed by Abdulraouf Akinwoye, the Public Relations Officer of the NRC in Lagos on Monday, it said the train service has become necessary in an attempt to make transportation easy for commuters in the areas, as part of the change agenda.

“Sequel to the substantial progress on the rehabilitation of the existing narrow-gauge network of Eastern Rail line traversing Port Harcourt to Gombe.

“The NRC earlier this year commenced Intercity Train Services from Port Harcourt to Kano and Port Harcourt to Gombe respectively.

“In furtherance to the Federal Government’s quest to providing affordable and reliable train services across the country, the minister of transportation will be flagging off Aba-Port Harcourt mass transit train services.

“For the comfort of passengers and operational efficiency, the newly introduced Aba-Port Harcourt Train is scheduled to run four trips daily from Monday to Saturday.”

“Going by the economic potential of Port Harcourt and Aba in commerce, tourism and industrialization, there is hope for proactive economic growth and virile positive change in the lives of the citizenry of the two benefiting states,” the statement said.

The statement added that the official flag-off of the service will hold at Port-Harcourt Railway Station on Wednesday with the governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike and governor of Abia, Okezie Ikpeazu in attendance.