THE management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has responded to ticket racketeering allegations in its rail operations, saying it has suspended nine workers found culpable.
The Management said it will enforce online ticketing from October 26,2023 to forestall incidences of racketeering from its staff.
This comes after some staff members of the NRC were alleged to be involved in fraudulent dealings, collecting cash from passengers which they do not remit to the government as well as ticket racketeering.
Speaking to journalists at the Obafemi Awolowo Station in Ibadan on October 7,2023, the Managing Director of the NRC, Fidet Okhiria, said nine members of staff involved in the fraudulent practice had been suspended.
“It’s an offence to carry an intending passenger to enter the train without having a ticket,” Okhiria said.
“We have made that arrangement and we have staff members to check the tickets before they get to the departure hall and also check the tickets before they can get to the platforms to board the train.”
The NRC boss stated that adequate steps had been taken to prevent such people without tickets from being allowed to pass into the departure hall and onto the platform to board the train.
“I just came here to remind them that anybody caught will not be spared and to ensure that we do the right thing at the right time,” he added.
The ICIR has also reported revenue drop in NRC operations occasioned largely by terrorism attacks on the train and subsequent suspension and reopening by the Nigerian government.
The management said, the enforcement of online ticketing from October 26,2023 would help curb incidences of ticket racketeering and also intensify security in its operations.
Harrison Edeh is a journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, always determined to drive advocacy for good governance through holding public officials and businesses accountable.