Ticket racketeering: Amaechi removes managers, others from rail stations

The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi has directed
that the station managers, porters, and ticket officials at Idu and
Rigasa rail stations be removed for alleged ticket racketeering at
the stations.

Amaechi gave the directive while inspecting the Abuja-Kaduna
rail stations on Friday in Abuja.

According to the minister, the directive has become imperative
following complaints of passengers over racketeering of VIP tickets
at the stations.

He also decried the poor maintenance of the facilities, as well
as the untidy surroundings of the stations.

“I am removing the station managers in Idu and Rigasa, the
porters and ticket officials will be removed let’s see if it will
resolve the complaints of passengers using the rail.

“Some of them have complained on social media, I believe that if
any system fails, it is because the leaders allow it to fail and I
will not allow that.

“The money we are spending monthly, is it just for diesel alone?
Is it for general maintenance of all the stations and the
environment, we will fix the lift within one week to ensure that
passengers use it for their luggage,’’ he said.

He said that removing all these officials would put a stop to
workers nonchalant attitude toward work and stop ticket
racketeering in the stations.

The Manager, Abuja-Kaduna Train Service, Mr Paschal Nnorli said
that he had to disguise as a passenger to be able to confirm the
complaints by passengers.

Nnorli said one of the portal boys was caught in the act.

The 11 ticket officials affected at the two stations are to be
replaced, while the minister also scrapped the use of Porter’s boys
for carrying luggage.

(NAN)

The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi has directed
that the station managers, porters, and ticket officials at Idu and
Rigasa rail stations be removed for alleged ticket racketeering at
the stations.

Amaechi gave the directive while inspecting the Abuja-Kaduna
rail stations on Friday in Abuja.

According to the minister, the directive has become imperative
following complaints of passengers over racketeering of VIP tickets
at the stations.

He also decried the poor maintenance of the facilities, as well
as the untidy surroundings of the stations.

“I am removing the station managers in Idu and Rigasa, the
porters and ticket officials will be removed let’s see if it will
resolve the complaints of passengers using the rail.

“Some of them have complained on social media, I believe that if
any system fails, it is because the leaders allow it to fail and I
will not allow that.

“The money we are spending monthly, is it just for diesel alone?
Is it for general maintenance of all the stations and the
environment, we will fix the lift within one week to ensure that
passengers use it for their luggage,’’ he said.

He said that removing all these officials would put a stop to
workers nonchalant attitude toward work and stop ticket
racketeering in the stations.

The Manager, Abuja-Kaduna Train Service, Mr Paschal Nnorli said
that he had to disguise as a passenger to be able to confirm the
complaints by passengers.

Nnorli said one of the portal boys was caught in the act.

The 11 ticket officials affected at the two stations are to be
replaced, while the minister also scrapped the use of Porter’s boys
for carrying luggage.

(NAN)