Empty Coaches, Broken Promises: The Dark Side of Free Train Ride.
In the heart of the Yuletide season, the Federal Government's noble gesture of offering free train trips turned into a bitter experience for many Nigerians. The attached photo, taken on January 1, 2024, inside the Buhari train, reveals a shocking truth – empty coaches during a time when travel should have been bustling.
Passengers faced the irony of a free service that seemed elusive. Booking tickets online proved futile, with the trains consistently labeled as fully booked. Desperation led some to visit the station at dawn, only to encounter officials offering reserved seats at a price, exposing a corrupt practice.
One passenger shared, "I was filled with happiness... to Ibadan without paying for it!" Yet, the joy turned to disappointment as the supposed fully booked trains hid empty seats, allegedly reserved by unscrupulous NRC staff intending to profit from desperate travelers.
Another traveler, intent on securing a seat for her family, faced a similar predicament. Having booked seats from Ibadan to Abeokuta, she discovered the majority of the train remained vacant after Papa Lantoro. Her decision to document the situation uncovered a wasteful misuse of government resources.
As the government ran free trips with fuel and logistical support, some staff betrayed the trust, leaving empty coaches in their wake. The very essence of a well-intentioned palliative measure crumbled under the weight of deceit.
In this tale of missed opportunities and broken promises, one must ponder, "Are we human at all?" May God save Nigeria from Nigerians!
Tags
Exclusive