I've lived in the city of Aba, Nigeria for more than two decades now, I was born in this city, I grew up in this city, as a matter of fact, almost every experience I have all my life revolves around Aba and its environs.
But who could have guessed that I've never visited the famous Aba railway station until today even when most of the
vehicles I board always take this route and in most cases cross the railway tracks not very far from the main station.
A little about the Aba Train Station
Just as it is writtten boldly in the building, the Aba train station was first built by the British in 1915 to allow passengers move to and from Aba to Port Harcourt City, Rivers state, Nigeria.
The Aba train station continued to function but after some time it stopped running due to poor management on the part of the body assigned to care for it and the government who neglected it for years.
The trains were damaged, and so did the rail way lines
This continued not until recently when the present administration decided to do what could have been done for years now, reviving the railway station. The 1915 building was repainted, the railways were reconstructed and the train was repaired.
I was very happy to touch a train for the first time in my life. As I wandered round the environment, it felt like I was in another region, a place far away from home.
Since the train arrives by 9:am and leaves for port Harcourt by 3:00pm, I watched as everyone queued to get their tickets. Those that came to waybill goods to the city also were attended to by one of the attendants.
It's the festive season, People love to visit loved once they only get to see in periods like this. I'm sure the train station is going to get busier than usual these few days. For one thing, it's very much affordable paying to be transported by train than using the road. And since the increase in the price of petrol have made it almost impossible for people with little means to travel, the train is there for people travelling its way to transport themselves and their families, if they have any.
Looking at the door that leads to the shotgun seat, you'll notice an inscription, 'Obafemi Awolow', the 'o' in the word must have fallen off.
Obafemi Awolowo is the name of a Nigerian politician back in those days who occupied important positions in the country and contributed immensely in the growth of the nation.
This is to show how long this train have stayed and still kicking because Obafemi Awolowo died in 1987. That's close to Forty years now.
The one hundred (100) naira currency of the country has the face of Obafemi Awolowo in honor of his works and patriotism.
Lots of kiosks are built along the railway lines, these kiosks offer a variety of services to passengers and other passersby with the things the sell or make. I bought a snack from one of the stores I saw open.
It is true that I met some of these stores locked. Maybe they've traveled for the holidays or closed for the year. But I'm hoping to meet a very busy place the next time I visit.
Other things I noticed were a sign showing passengers that they've arrived aba, damaged trains that could have served a purpose if repaired and regularly maintained afterwards, a sign showing that the federal ministry of transportation employed the service of the Chinese civil engineering company to do the construction. I saw the security operatives parading the area but I was very careful not to take pictures of them to avoid raising unnecessary suspicion and questioning.
If the abandoned irons I saw there are sold, I'm sure the amount realized would be enough to fund an important project that will benefit the state and still reduce unemployment, but what do I know? Maybe they have other plans.
brainbrian