Nigeria’s Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi has revealed the launch of N900 million e-ticketing platform of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC.

Amaechi said the e-ticketing platform was another milestone for the NRC, the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the federal government.

The Minister spoke at the launch of the e-ticketing in Abuja, according to Daily Post.

“This project, which is a Public-Private Partnership is a product of over three years of rigorous procurement process and due diligence involving the NRC, NITDA and finally obtaining approval from the Federal Executive Council," Amaechi said.

''Today marks the beginning of the automation of ticket sales in all our major stations on the Abuja-Kaduna train service. This is a total package that also includes access control, which will be deployed subsequently.

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''It is my believe that deploying the secured ticketing solution is in line with world best practice, and will enhance efficiency, save time and promote accountability while also reducing leakages and promoting economic growth.”

 ''It is most suitable, especially at this period of COVID-19, as it reduces physical interactions at the stations, as passengers can buy their tickets at the comfort of their homes and offices through their phones.”

Amaechi thanked the concessionaire, SecureID Limited, for believing in the project.

The minister explained that the various initiatives, which would be introduced by the concessionaire, were aimed at making the rail network more passenger-friendly.

He said the government and the concessionaire entered into a 10-year agreement during which the vendor would recoup his investment, after which the platform would be reverted to the NRC.

Amaechi added that he had directed the NRC Managing Director to begin the process of repaying the Chinese loan from the corporation’s savings.