THE Minister of Transport, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, said that the Abuja-Kaduna rail line would come into full commercial operations after the Presidential flag-off next week Tuesday.
The demand for National Identity Card at the train stations, according to the Minister, is in tandem with over 100 countries around the world including Nigeria, which have enacted laws making identity cards compulsory in their countries; the card must be shown on demand by authorised personnel under specified circumstances.”
Ameachi said alternative proof of identity, such as a driving licence, International Passport might be acceptable at the train station including Abuja-Kaduna rail station.
He said his Ministry with parley with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), which is in charge of the issuance to have a stand at the stations so it can capture any passenger that does not have the national I.D. card.
“The officials at the ticketing stand will demand Passengers to present his or her national I.D card before ticket can be issued to such passenger.”
But he insisted that every passenger would have to identify him or herself with a standard identification card before such a one could board the train.
“Anybody that wants to board the train must identify him or herself with national I.D card or any other standard identification card so that we know who is boarding and where he lives, he noted.”
