TheCable

Saidu Alkali, the minister of transportation, says the electronic ticketing platform for the Lagos-Ibadan and Itakpe-Warri train services will start working on Wednesday.

Alkali spoke on Monday during the flag-off of the e-ticketing for the routes.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) had earlier said it would introduce an electronic ticketing system for the Lagos-Ibadan and Itakpe-Warri train services before the end of October.

Alkali said the initiative will help direct revenue from ticket sales to government funds, adding that it will also ensure security of passengers.

He said the e-ticketing platform would reduce the possibility of corruption and address issues of revenue leakage.

“It will also help to ensure security of our passengers and avoid racketeering,” NAN quoted Alkali as saying.

“It is the desire of this administration to have zero tolerance for corruption. All these are aimed to benefit our citizens.”

Magdalene Ajani, permanent secretary of the ministry of transportation, said the federal government has invested efforts in ensuring that the electronic ticketing system is actualised.

Ajani said the e-ticketing platform for standard gauge would tackle racketeering issues impacting the country’s economy.

Also speaking, Fidet Okhiria, managing director of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), said the e-ticketing plan would enhance the integrity of operations in the sector.

Okhiria said he is confident the e-ticketing platform would boost revenue generation for the federal government.

He added that the federal government had concessioned the Warri-Itakpe and Lagos–Ibadan routes to “Ticketing Solutions Limited” and “Global Software and Digital Solution” respectively for 10 years.

Recently, officials of the NRC were found to be involved in corruption and extortion of passengers through ticket racketeering, exorbitant charges, and other exploitative activities.