ALLEGATIONS OF TICKET RACKETEERING AT UJEVEWU-ITAKPE RAILWAY STATION: Group Calls For Immediate Investigations

"If the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) cannot provide effective and smooth running of the corporation, it should consider contracting the running of the railways to private or foreign companies to manage its affairs; otherwise, these challenges may gradually compromise its existence." Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen

"However, it is advisable for the railway corporation to revert to its previous purchase procedures, where passengers can manually purchase tickets at a fair rate before boarding."

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has been called upon to immediately, institute an investigation following allegations of ticket racketeering by its employees, particularly at the Ujevwu-Itakpe Railway Station.

The allegations border on widespread ticket racketeering by staff of the corporation since the ticket purchasing process transitioned from in-person station sales to an e-ticketing system. Additionally, allegations have surfaced that trains are excessively overcrowded, with onboard staff and security personnel allocating standing positions to passengers in exchange for monetary payments.

Making this call is Comr. (Amb) Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, National Coordinator, Initiative For Social Rights Concerns and Advancement (ISRCA).

"Based on my personal experiences and interviews with other passengers who are frequent travelers, it appears that the management has made it extremely difficult for passengers to obtain tickets online through their portal, which is only accessible to staff members who can book all available seats online and then resell tickets to passengers upon arrival at inflated rates." He stated 

"Despite falling to measure up to standards and disorganized services rendered to passengers, ticket racketeering has become an increasingly pressing issue in its operations, necessitating serious concerns by the Railway Corporation, decisive actions against its staff, and further measures to resolve these allegations.

"These allegations may not have originated from the cooperation itself, but rather from the administrative staffs, who created these lacunas for personal gain. While it is the Government's responsibility to provide a fair operational environment, the poor attitudes of the people have also become a serious problem in managing governmental affairs.

"If the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) cannot provide effective and smooth running of the corporation, it should consider contracting the running of the railways to private or foreign companies to manage its affairs; otherwise, these challenges may gradually compromise its existence. However, it is advisable for the railway corporation to revert to its previous purchase procedures, where passengers can manually purchase tickets at a fair rate before boarding." He concluded.