Kaduna State Governor,Nasir El-Rufai has expressed fear of people disobeying federal government’s COVID-19 guidelines as the Abuja- Kaduna Rail Service is set to commence work.
El-Rufai while speaking to newsmen on Saturday at the testing running operation trip of the Nigeria Railways Corporation (NRC) in Kaduna appealed to people that will use the train to observe all protocols of COVID-19.
“The train is secure, the train is well protected, even the Abuja-Kaduna highway is well protected, and there has not been a kidnapping case there since October last year.
“So, I’m not worried about security. What I want to appeal to people that will use the train is to ensure that they keep physical distancing, wash their hands as the COVID-19 is still very much around.
“Infections are rising and the fastest way to get it is a congested train.
“So we must be very careful, we must not insist on going on the train if it is up to the capacity and everyone must wear his face mask before entering the train, throughout the train ride and after.
“That is what I will appeal to everyone because this disease is still with us, we have not reached the peak and when we reach the peak it comes down and there is likely to be a second wave,” he said.
The governor lauded the Federal Government and the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, for their efforts in the operation of the railway service.
“We have been briefed on all the measures that the Federal Government has put in place to ensure physical distancing, hygiene, sanitary observance to protect everyone and we are looking forward to this.
“We are also grateful that the number of frequency for the train have been increased because more and more people will use the train to go to Abuja and from Abuja to Kaduna.”
