Lagos Blue Rail: LAMATA speaks on fire incident 

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has reacted to a fire incident affecting a section of the Blue Rail Line that occurred in the Apangbon area of the state on Saturday.

A statement issued by the Head of Corporate Communication at LAMATA, Kolawole Ojelabi, attributed the incident to a spark, leading to a disruption in the passengers operations of the line.

The statement read, “The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) is aware of a spark, inducing fire, at a section of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) near the old NEPA station by Eko Bridge around Apongbon area of Lagos Island.

“As a result, passenger operations of the Blue Line were disrupted.

“Following the spark, the system isolated the section for investigators and engineers from the Independent Power Plant powering the train to trace the source of the fire.

“The Closed-Circuit camera along the section promptly alerted emergency staff who triggered the emergency response process.

“No passengers on the train and workers were in danger following the fire incident.

“Engineers are working profusely to replace the burnt cables, and it is projected that train operation will resume Sunday morning.

“LAMATA is committed to ensuring the safe operation of the Blue Line, the first rail system to be powered by electricity in West Africa.”

Fire guts part of Lagos Blue Rail Line

There was a fire outbreak on Saturday that affected a section of the Lagos Blue Line rail track near the NEPA Station in the Apogbon area of Lagos State.

Gboyega Akosile, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, confirmed the incident via his X handle.

The fire, which occurred at 4:12pm, did not result in any casualties, and no trains were in operation when the outbreak occurred.

Akosile further disclosed that emergency responders promptly extinguished the fire and put the situation under control.

The statement read in part, “No casualty is reported and no train service at the time of the incident.

“A team of safety and emergency personnel and other first responders had completely put out the fire.

“Lagosians in that axis can go about their business peacefully as the situation under control.

“Kindly await further details on operations of the train from @Lamataonline.”

NRC: Okhiria bows out as MD, Iloanusi appointed acting managing director 

The Federal Government has named Mr Ben Iloanusi as acting managing director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).

This follows the exit of Engr Fidet Okhiria, who led the corporation for eight years.

Okhiria completed his second term of four years as NRC MD last Friday and retired the same day, having joined the corporation in 1987 as a pupil engineer, rising through the ranks to the top.

He handed over to the new helmsman on Friday, according to a statement obtained on Sunday from the spokesman for the corporation, Mr Yakub Mahmood, a deputy director.

Part of the statement read, “The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation Engr F.E Okhiria handed over duties and responsibilities after completing his 2nd four-year term of the office successfully last Friday to the most senior director of the corporation, Mr Ben Iloanusi.

“The outgoing MD during the handing over ceremony commended the management and staff of the corporation for the cooperation and understanding extended to him during his tenure, which according to the former NRC boss was the bedrock of his success in running the affairs of the corporation.

“Engineer Okhiria enjoined the management and staff of the corporation to extend same cooperation and understanding to the incoming acting MD.”

The statement added that Iloanusi until his new appointment was the director of procurement for the corporation.

“He is a graduate of Political science from the University of Nigeria Nsukka and (holds) MBA in International Management from the South Bank university London.

“Mr Iloanusi joined the Nigerian Railway Corporation in 2011 as the Deputy Director, Procurement before rising to the post of the Director of Procurement in 2019.”

The acting MD in his acceptance during the handing over event last Friday solicited the cooperation of the staff and management of the NRC to be extended to him more than that of his predecessor.

He welcomed constructive advice and criticisms that could move the corporation forward during his tenure.

The ceremony was described as highly emotional where testimonies were made acknowledging the vast experience, patience, compassion and fatherly role of the former MD.