Railway
Updated: Passengers panic as Warri-Itakpe train derails in Kogi forest + video
- NRC suspends train service along the route
Fear of attack and kidnap by terrorists overtook many train passengers on Sunday as their train plying the Warri-Itakpe route derailed, making many to scamper for safety.
A total of 148 passengers and 30 crew members were on the train when the incident happened in a Kogi forest around 2.30 on Sunday, according to the Nigerian Railway Corporation.
Punch reported that many of the passengers immediately abandoned the train for fear of being taken hostage.
It was gathered that the train left Warri early on Sunday and got derailed at around 12pm inside the thick forest between Ajaokuta and Itakpe, the report stated.
There were conflicting reports as to the cause of the train accident in which no one was reported injured.
Some claimed a section of the track was cut forcing the train to veer off the rail line.
But a source familiar with train operations at the Nigerian Railway Corporation told NewsTrends that the derailment was suspected to be caused by a point error “since the train derailed at a facing point where it wanted to negotiate its move to another line”.
Tweets by some of the passengers later showed that the security operatives aboard the train, the police and the Nigerian Army promptly came to the rescue of the stranded passengers.
They however did not provide the details of how they got out of the forest.
For instance, Sule Sulaiman, @sos0570
tweeted, “Kudos to the security men on board, PF Kogi Command and NA for the prompt response. All passengers are safe.”
Meanwhile, the NRC has reacted to the incident through a statement issued Sunday night by The Coordinator of Warri-Itakpe Train Service, Sanni Abdulganiyu.
The statement read, “The Warri Itakpe Train Service WITS 01 derailed at KM 30 Ajaokuta-Itakpe section of the track at About 12:30hrs of Sunday 22nd January 2023.
“Thankfully, there was no fatality and no casualty. We were immediately alerted and security personnel comprising the Army, Police, NSCDC, and the community vigilante were immediately drafted to the accident point with the assistance of the local government chairman.
“All the 148 passengers and 30 crew members were evacuated to a safe place and arrangements were made to convey 148 passengers to their various destinations and they have been successfully conveyed.
“The cause of the derailment is not yet determined. Due to this incident, the service along the corridor has been suspended. Further details would be communicated to members of the public.
“Repair and operation will resume as soon as possible.”
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.
READ ALSO:
- Nigeria denies alleged plot to destabilise Niger Republic
- Navy arrests 19 Nigerians attempting to reach Europe by hiding on ship
- Troops arrest four Ambazonian rebels in Taraba
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, $3.02 billion Port Harcourt-Aba railway project has been completed by Federal Government and handed over to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).
The Port Harcourt-Aba section is part of the larger Port Harcourt-Maiduguri eastern narrow gauge railway project, initiated under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The project supervisor, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Ayo Dada, formally transferred the railway to the NRC during a brief ceremony held on Thursday in Port Harcourt.
He said that the project, completed in May, had significantly improved passenger movement between Rivers and Abia, thereby enhancing their economies.
“The assets handed over include dismantled tracks measuring 283.060 km, rehabilitated and reconstructed 62.800 km of subgrade and the laying of 62.800 km of rail for the main line,” Dada said.
“This includes the laying of rail for sliding lines covering 5.690 km and the reconstruction of 27 sets of turnouts at Port Harcourt, Elelenwo, Obuzor, Umugo and Aba Stations, among others.”
Dada said that with the handover of the Port Harcourt–Aba section, the Federal Government would focus on the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri phase of the project.
READ ALSO:
- Naira appreciates to N1,740/$ in parallel market
- Reform Bills propose 55 per cent VAT revenue for states
- Nigeria ranks 4th among Africa’s most improved visa friendly nations
“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
-
Politics2 days agoGbajabiamila speaks on his rumoured Lagos governorship ambition
-
metro2 days agoFarotimi to pursue disbarment over arrest, defamation allegations
-
Business2 days agoReal reason Dangote, NNPC drop petrol price — IPMAN
-
Health2 days agoABU Teaching Hospital will begin kidney transplant in 2025 – CMD
-
Sports17 hours agoAnthony Joshua prostrates before Governor Abiodun during Ogun visit
-
International3 days agoBREAKING: Plane skids off runway in South Korea, killing at least 120
-
metro2 days agoEl-Rufai accuses Tinubu govt of Yoruba agenda, Reno Omokri reacts
-
metro2 days agoNigerian govt urged to intervene in Mozambique post-election violence