Secure ID is to henceforth handle the ticketing and processing of passengers documentation for the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) following the shoddy ticketing arrangement on the ill fated Abuja-Kaduna train incident.
The firm will handle it under a 10-year concession arrangement that is expected to generate over N140 billion and create over 3,000 jobs. The arrangement is to be supervised by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).
Secure ID is the technology firm in charge of the e-ticketing platform for Abuja-Kaduna rail service and its involvement has helped in generating about N400million monthly.
Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi disclosed during the presentation of the Full Business Case Certificates (FBC) for Lagos- Ibadan and Itakpe-Warri e-ticketing service to him by the ICRC.
Amaechi explained that the take over by Secure ID would reduce cases of crime, security cases on the corridor and enable the firm match faces with names of passengers.
The introduction of the e-ticketing platform for Abuja-Kaduna has increased NRC revenue from about N100million to N400million monthly, while avenues for revenue leakages have also been blocked.
“The benefits of the e-ticketing platform is that we rose from N100million to N400 million per month, which is an improvement. We have been able to do something that will eliminate leakages”, stated the Minister.
“One thing I think I may disagree with the public on, is the issue of tickets racketeering. I have spoken to the person in charge of Abuja-Kaduna to take over the identification process from NRC.
“Because what the National Assembly told me was that NRC doesn’t cross check the ID of passengers on the tickets and they (Secure ID) had wanted to do it, but they have not gotten the approval from NRC.
“So, I have told NRC to allow them do it, so that we match faces with the names. It is not all about crime but it is also security, so we should release it to those security outlets.
“Even though we cannot eliminate 100 percent crime and corruption, it will reduce the danger of having to run into security crises, so that we know that what we are battling with is not crises in our terminals but on the way and I believe that, that also will be sorted out as we go to cabinet for approval of the security gadgets.”
The Acting Director-General of the ICRC, Michael Ohiani said the concession arrangement with Secure ID is 10 years and it is expected to generate over N140billion during the period and as well, create over 3,000 direct and indirect jobs.
“The next phase is for minister to take it to the Federal Executive Council for approval and the Ministry of Justice will now clear it,” noted Ohiani.
Comments are closed.