Minister of Transport, Idris Umar on Sunday, February 1, 2015 inaugurated the Gombe-Kafanchan-Port Harcourt and Gombe-Kafanchan-Kaduna intercity train service, stating that it was part of the massive transformation of the Nigerian railway system by the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.
While commissioning the 68-seater air-conditioned coaches, Umar said it was another milestone for President Jonathan, promising that the Federal Government will restore movement on the Gombe-Maiduguri axis as soon as the security challenges in the area is overcome.
Also present at the commissioning was the Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo, who thanked the Federal Government for restoring the railways system across the country, saying the possible 7,000 jobs to be created from the system in Gombe State would help boost the economy, adding that it would also cut cost of transporting goods and services by 50%.
Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr. Adeseyi Sijuwade, further explained that President Jonathan has successfully linked the North-east, North-central, South-east and South-south regions with the North-west and South-west by rail as towns like Gombe, Alkaleri, Bauchi, Liman-Katagum, Bununu, Tafawa-Balewa, Heipang, Kuru, Kafanchan, Gudi, Mada, Lafiya, Agyaragu, Makurdi, Moi-Igbo, Eha-Amufu, Enugu, Afikpo, Ovim-Amaba, Umuahia-Ibeku, Omoba, Aba and Port-Harcourt now have rail service restored.
