•Report by Halimah Olamide
The Government of Osun State on Sunday has given its reasons for not providing the Christmas Free Train Ride to residents of the state.
Many indigenes of the states living in states such as Lagos, Ogun, Oyo had since 2011, benefitted from the scheme which was aimed at reducing the financial burdens for indigenes who wish to travel home for holidays.
However, many were surprised that the largesse was not provided ahead of this year’s Christmas with the fear that the same might happen for the New Year celebration.
NPO Reports gathered that many indigenes of the state who had been used to the programme in about 12 years got to train stations in the Ido area on Saturday only to discover that there was no provision for the scheme.
Contacted by the NPO Reports on Sunday, the governor, Ademola Adeleke, through his spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, explained that he promised to continue with any good initiative by the previous government adding however that the circumstances of assumption of office has created a little hurdle in executions.
He said, “The circumstances of the assumption of office however creates little hiccups in planning and execution.
“The free ride is not cancelled but these challenges are connected with a government just assuming power.
“So for the free ride, it is not cancelled. The challenges are the teething problems associated with a new government just settling down.”
However, the Osun government under the Aregbesola administration began the free train ride in 2011 and did every festive season
An indigene of Ilobu, Mr. Israel Adetokunbo, who said he had used the free train service in the last four years with his entire family told the NPO Reports on `Sunday that it was not good enough for the new government to have ignored such a laudable programme.
“That definitely wont go down well with many indigenes of Osun who had seen this scheme as a part of service to the people. The Aregbesola administration perfected it so well and I think Oyetola who took over from him did not have choice but to continue with it. This is a big error and it is advised that the Adeleke government quickly corrects this anomaly.”
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Another Indigene, Musiliat Adekunbi, who lives in the Sango area of Ogun state, said she had always used the free train since 2013 with her children when traveling home in Ejigbo for Muslim festivals.
“The new government must not make any mistake of abandoning such a scheme. It is capable of making the people to turn against the administration. Remember the beneficiaries though don’t live in Osun. But they have people at home that they influence. I advise the new government to quickly put its acts together and get the free train for New Year.” She said
It could not be ascertained as at press time if the government would quickly put efforts to making the train available for the New Year holiday.
NPO Reports gathered that the scheme was put in place with the state government paying the Nigerian Railway Corporation for the number of trips agreed upon for each festive season.