Osun state government has said that the annual free train ride tagged “Imole Train services for the Ileya festival”, will not hold due to a train accident around Abeokuta-Lagos old gauge line.

 

Kehinde Odediran, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Cooperatives and Empowerment said the accident affected part of the train track, halting any train movement on the Lagos-Abeokuta line.

 

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) had commenced repair and rehabilitation work for the damaged part of the track and reports from the NRC confirmed that the free service cannot be accommodated.

 

The statement read;

 

“Osun state government regrets to announce that The annual Imole Free Train service scheduled to convey hundreds of passengers from Lagos state to Osun to mark the Eid- El- Kabir celebration will no longer hold.

“The unfortunate development is as a result of serious technical issues being currently experienced by the Nigeria Railway Corporation ( NRC).

“We wish to state with all sense of responsibility and in line with the ideals of Senator Ademola Adelekes 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 administration of Senator Ademola Adeleke will continue to provide the Imole Free Train Service to all our people during all festive seasons without any let or hindrance”.