By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Jos – The imminent return of train services to Plateau State is bringing nostalgia to many citizens of the state who in the not-too-distant past took the security and service of train services within the state for granted.

This came to the fore following a media report which disclosed that Plateau State is among the four States making arrangements to operate train services in their respective domains.

The development follows the movement of train service from the exclusive to the concurrent list and it is in the light of the revival of pubic services by the Caleb Mutfwang-led administration on the Plateau.

In the last two months, the free train service had spread joy among the citizenry on the Plateau ahead of the introduction of commercial service.

The development is seen as another fulfilled promise by Governor Caleb Mutfwang in his promise of value in governance.

Indeed, in the transport sector, apart from the provision of the subsidized Tin City Metro buses, the Governor has also collaborated with the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC to have the train service to ease the cost of transportation for citizens to the admiration of all.

Each time the train moves in the last two months, excited citizens irrespective of age line up the frontage of their homes waving to the travellers.

It was reflective of the joy that the Mutfwang administration had stirred in the emotions of the people that for a few days the train did not move anxious citizens expressed concern but were assured that the train service was here to stay.

The State Commissioner for Transport, Davou Jatau said, “The NRC had a little hitch but that has been resolved and the trains are ready to move. The tickets are ready for the commercial ride.”

Adults who had witnessed rail transportation in the past recall with nostalgia what they have missed and commended Governor Mutfwang for reviving the train service.

A resident, Benjamin Audu who lives in the Dogon Karfe area of Jos said, “I am happy with the Governor for reviving the rails. Anytime I hear the train sound, it reminds me of my early days when we used to go on a train ride from here to the far north.

“You can see the businesses springing up along the train stations. This gesture provides an alternative means of land transportation and reduces the high cost of transportation that we face. If you don’t board the metro buses, you use the train. This is a very welcome development.”

However, the excitement is not limited to the citizens. Adamu Abdullahi, the NRC Public Relations Officer in Jos said it is gladdening seeing the trains moving on the tracks.

His words, “We thank God for everything, you may not have seen our train moving on the tracks, but it is because of the problem we encountered. It was a minor issue but to God be the glory we are going to rectify the issue so any moment from now, we will move again.

“The collaboration with the State Government is a good one and truly speaking things are going the way they should. We are having lots of people coming to board the train. They are praising the State government, they are thanking the Governor. While on test running, they were free rides for almost two months.

“We are excited even as staff, we were redundant, we were doing nothing but because of the collaboration, because of the interest that the State government had, they came and collaborated with the Nigerian Railway Corporation, we are now busy from morning to evening. You notice activities are going on unlike before.

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Nostalgia as Mutfwang Returns Train Services to Plateau