Updated: FG extends resumption of Abuja-Kaduna train operations to next week

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The Abuja-Kaduna rail service will not return to operations this week as earlier announced as the Federal Government has extended the resumption date.

Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, disclosed this to newsmen in Kaduna on Sunday during an inspection tour to assess the readiness of the rail line for operations.

He said the standard guage train would resume next week, adding that it was about 90 per cent ready and assured riders of adequate safety/security measures.

He said, “I think we are 90 per cent ready as far as what we are set out to do is concerned. The remaining 10 per cent I am sure would be achieved in the next couple of days for full resumption of train services.

“My assurance to Nigerians is that even I myself will be using the train, and other of my counterparts who have homes in Kaduna, in fact from next week they will start using this train so I am giving Nigerians full assurance that a human being can give that this train is safe for them to be used.

“There is absolutely nothing to fear. We have learnt from what has happened and life is about learning lessons and adopting measures with the lessons. As a responsible government, we have seen those lessons and we have devised appropriate measures to counter them. And like I said, I was not going to allow this train to resume until everybody in captivity was released and to the glory of God, I have achieved that.”

According to the minister, the FG has introduced a new system of purchasing tickets, which he considers as the beginning of security checks that will enable the government to ascertain who boards the train at every point in time.

The minister last week announced that the Abuja-Kaduna rail services would resume operations by the end of November.

The Abuja-Kaduna train service was temporarily halted eight months ago when terrorists planted explosives that derailed the AK-9 train while on its last lap from Abuja to Kaduna.

The terrorists also killed nine and abducted over 60 passengers, all of who were later released in batches.

Sensors needed to detect explosives on rail tracks were said to have been installed.

A contractor was at the Idu rail station to install the tracker, it was learnt.