Osun State government has announced that the free train service scheduled to convey passengers from Lagos to the state to mark this year’s Eid- El- Kabir celebration will no longer hold.
A statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Cooperatives and Empowerment, Mrs. Kehinde Odediran, on Monday said the free train tagged “Imole Train” which convey passengers during festive periods will not hold due to a train accident around the Abeokuta-Lagos old gauge line.
Odediran said the accident affected part of the train track thereby halting any train movement on the Lagos-Abeokuta line.
She said: “The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) had commenced repair and rehabilitation work for the damaged part of the track.
“The work is however still ongoing and reports from the NRC confirmed that the free service cannot be accommodated.
“We wish to state with all sense of responsibility and in line with the ideals of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s annual ‘Imole free train’ service that as soon as the technical hitches get rectified, normal services will resume accordingly.
“We also wish to state that, notwithstanding the present unfortunate development, the Adeleke led administration will continue to provide the free train service to all our people during all festive seasons without any let or hindrance.
“Once again bear with us and accept our sincere apology in this regard.”
