Okhiria said this in an interview with newsmen in Lagos on Tuesday.
“The roof rider has been a major problem; we have been trying to use all measures to check it.
“Do you know the irony of it all? 80 per cent of those who stay on the roof have their tickets.
“But there are other things they want to do; they want to interchange drugs, Indian hemp, and all those things; we know it.
“I was a district manager in Lagos for four years; I have battled it, I was even pushed down from a train, one time, by them.
“But I will still battle it now by empowering the people to do what they are to do, to prevent roof riders and ensure we collect our earnings.
He noted that over 80 per cent of people who ride on the rooftop of trains actually have tickets but prefer to ride on the top.
On improving the NRC’s ticketing system, the acting director-general said efforts were being made to introduce a technology-driven ticketing system.
“We are working on it seriously, and in the next one month we will have a new ticketing system.
“Apart from the fact that the current ticketing system was handed down by the colonial master, the ticketing card will be exhausted within the year.
“So we must do something to fast-track and ensure that the new technology of ticketing is put in place.’’
He said that the corporation’s management was committed to actualising the Federal Government’s goal of achieving a positive change in the country’s rail sector.
Okhiria, who said that the sector was important to commerce, added that the corporation would rebrand its coaches and stations to attract commuters. (NAN)
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