Railway
Edo attack: NRC MD suspects sabotage, another kidnap victim rescued
Some unpatriotic people have been fingered in the recent attacks on train passengers and railway facilities in Nigeria, the latest being the kidnap of 32 people on Saturday from Tom Ikimi train station in the Iguebe community of Edo State.
Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Engr. Fidet Okhiria, disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television.
This is coming just as another victim, a woman, has been reportedly rescued by security agencies combing the forests in the area.
Okhiria wondered why the attacks were coming at a time the Federal Government is embarking on projects to modernise the nation’s railway system and many people were beginning to embrace the rail travel system.
He said the corporation was yet to complete its security architecture of train stations across the country when the latest attack occurred.
He also faulted the proposals being submitted at this time by many consultants on how to secure the railway corridors, pointing out that they were driven by personal financial gains rather than patriotic zeal.
Okhiria said the attacks on the Nigerian Railway system were deliberate and an act of sabotage.
He however said Edo State Commissioner of Police and his men were still in search of the kidnappers and doing everything possible to ensure the release of other victims, adding that the remaining victims were suspected to be divided into groups.
“From what they are saying, I think they divided the people in captive in groups. That is the information I have,” he said.
Asked if there were possibilities that in the next 24 hours another set would be rescued, he said, “We hope so, the intensity the security and community have deployed to ensure that we are not embarrassed.
”I think something good will happen very soon because people have been out there since Saturday and they are still there.”
On the security measures the government had said they put in place to ensure safety of the railway system and what went wrong this time, Okhiria said, “Nothing went wrong. As I said, you plan and you also have people who are trying to sabotage your thoughts.
“At this point, we have not got to the peak of that security architecture we want in our stations, although it is out of the ordinary; we don’t have that in railway operations.
“We have been liaising with the security agents, the Inspector General of Police, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Air Staff to raise the security committee that the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, set up which is made up of the military personnel to ensure that the right people are deployed in our train stations and to the train.
“I don’t think there is perfect security situation. Even the United States, they still tackle security issues. We just pray that Nigerians change their minds because that is the best way we can live in peace and the earlier we apprehend these evil people the better for everyone.”
The NRC boss said further that security measures were not being limited to Abuja-Kaduna or Lagos-Ibadan train stations, adding that it is general security for the railway system.
Okhiria said train services on the Warri-Itakpe corridor had not been halted, noting, however, that the train would not be making a stop at the Tom Ikimi Train Station for now.
Meanwhile, the police have confirmed the rescue of another victim of Saturday kidnap.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Edo State Police Command, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, said, “Yes, a woman has been rescued, making a total of seven persons so far rescued.”
Vanguard reports that police have also deployed helicopter to the area to assist in aerial surveillance of the forests in the area.
A leader in the community, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “All the security agencies have gone back to the forest this morning (yesterday) but one of the operatives told me that they are tracking the kidnappers and their victims but if they want to use force, they will jeopardize the safety of those in captivity.
”They want to be tactical and professional in the way they want to go about it. As we speak, about two hours ago (2pm), they brought a helicopter and the helicopter is flying around the area, the security agents are working, let us see what will come out of it. Our prayer is that those people are released unhurt.”
Railway
Lagos Rail Mass Transit part of FG free train ride – NRC
Lagos Rail Mass Transit part of FG free train ride – NRC
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has disclosed that the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) trains are included in the Federal Government’s free train ride initiative for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The LRMT, which currently includes the Phase 1 Blue Line Rail and the Phase 1 of the Red Line Rail, operates under the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).
This announcement was made by Ben Iloanusi, the Acting Managing Director of the NRC, during an interview on NTA News TV on Friday, following the launch of the initiative earlier that day.
While Iloanusi stated that Phase 1 of both the Blue Line and Red Line Rail projects are part of the program, LAMATA has yet to confirm this inclusion.
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Iloanusi outlined the other routes benefiting from the scheme, which include the Lagos-Ibadan Train Service, Kaduna-Abuja Train Service, Warri-Itakpe Train Service, Port Harcourt-Aba Train Service, and the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Mass Transit in Lagos. Notably, little was previously known about the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Mass Transit service until this disclosure.
“Let me mention the routes where this free train service is happening. We have the Lagos-Ibadan Train Service, we have the Kaduna-Abuja Train Service, we have the Warri-Itakpe Train Service, we have the Lagos Rail Mass Transit trains, we have the Port Harcourt-Aba Train Service, and we have what we call the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Mass Transit, which is also in Lagos,” he stated.
Iloanusi provided operational updates, stating that passengers nationwide can access free tickets online or, for those unable to do so, at train stations where they will be profiled and validated.
He noted that passengers using NRC-managed services (excluding the Lagos Rail Mass Transit) should reserve tickets via the official website, www.nrc.gov.ng, with a valid ID required. He also advised travelers to plan, arrive on time, and bring valid identification.
Lagos Rail Mass Transit part of FG free train ride – NRC
Railway
NRC announces special Xmas, end-of-year train service
NRC announces special Xmas, end-of-year train service
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) says it will operate an end of the year special train service on all its routes across the country.
It announced this in a statement on Wednesday by its Deputy Director, Public Relations, Yakub Mahmood, saying it was in compliance with the Federal Government’s directive through the Federal Ministry of Transportation.
It however did not indicate if the special train service would be free or not.
The Federal Government last year similarly declared special train services for Christmas and New Year, which were made free for all users.
The statement added the modality for this year’s special service would be released soon.
The latest statement read, “The management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), in compliance with the Federal Government’s directive through the Federal Ministry of Transportation, hereby informs the general public that the NRC shall operate end of the year special train services in commemoration of Christmas and New Year celebrations.
“This end-of-the-year special train service on scheduled passenger trains, is part of the government’s gesture towards an enjoyable end of the year celebration.
“Dates and modalities of the end-of-the-year Special Train Service shall be communicated in due course. We wish all our esteemed customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in advance.”
Railway
FG hands over $3bn Port Harcourt-Aba railway project to NRC
FG hands over $3bn Port Harcourt-Aba railway project to NRC
The 62-kilometre, $3.02 billion Port Harcourt-Aba railway project has been completed by Federal Government and handed over to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).
The Port Harcourt-Aba section is part of the larger Port Harcourt-Maiduguri eastern narrow gauge railway project, initiated under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The project supervisor, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Ayo Dada, formally transferred the railway to the NRC during a brief ceremony held on Thursday in Port Harcourt.
He said that the project, completed in May, had significantly improved passenger movement between Rivers and Abia, thereby enhancing their economies.
“The assets handed over include dismantled tracks measuring 283.060 km, rehabilitated and reconstructed 62.800 km of subgrade and the laying of 62.800 km of rail for the main line,” Dada said.
“This includes the laying of rail for sliding lines covering 5.690 km and the reconstruction of 27 sets of turnouts at Port Harcourt, Elelenwo, Obuzor, Umugo and Aba Stations, among others.”
Dada said that with the handover of the Port Harcourt–Aba section, the Federal Government would focus on the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri phase of the project.
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“The contractor has submitted the technical specifications and maintenance manual for the Port Harcourt–Aba section to the consultants.
“The ministry is committed to completing this project, which will foster national development,” he said.
The Managing Director of the NRC, Ben Iloanusi, commended the Federal Government and the ministry of transportation for the timely completion and transfer of the project.
Iloanusi, represented by the NRC Deputy Manager (Civil), Adesegun Ogunade, said that the railway had greatly benefited Nigerians seeking affordable transportation options.
“The rail line, now in operation, has started mitigating the impact of high transportation costs caused by economic challenges,” he said.
“Train services have been running for some time and passengers have reported that it has made commuting between Port Harcourt and Aba more convenient, faster and cheaper.
“People are already experiencing the benefits of this government’s policies and programmes.’’
He assured that the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri section would also be completed in due course, emphasising that adequate security arrangements had been made to ensure the safety of workers and passengers.
FG hands over $3bn Port Harcourt-Aba railway project to NRC
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