Transportation

The Federal Government says there will be no train operations from Saturday the 25th of February to Monday the 27th of February.

A statement by the Deputy Director Public Relations of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Yakub Mahmud says this is to allow Nigerians to participate in the elections.

The suspension will affect the Lagos Ibadan, Warri Itakpe, Abuja-Kaduna and Iddo Lagos- Ijoko routes

The statement adds that operations will resume on Tuesday, February 28.

The statement reads; “In view of the forthcoming presidential general election in the country, the Board and management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), hereby inform the general public, particularly our valued passengers of the temporary suspension of train services from Saturday 25th to Monday 27th February 2023, to enable Nigerians to exercise their civic responsibilities.

“These train services include; Abuja – Kaduna Train Service (AKTS), Warri – Itakpe Train Service (WITS), Lagos – Ibadan Train Service (LITS), and Iddo Lagos –  Ijoko interstate Mass Transit passengers’ train services. However, the management assures the general public of the normal train services recommencement on Tuesday 28th February 2023.”

FRCN Abuja / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Transportation

The Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, says Train services along the Abuja-Kaduna rail service will resume on Tuesday, January 31.

Services along the route were suspended on Friday,27 due to a derailment at the Kubwa axis of the route.

A statement by the Director Operations of NRC, Niyi Ali, indicates that the schedule for resumption is as follows:

The first train will leave Rigasa in Kaduna at 7am, while the departure from Idu is at 10 am.

Another train will depart Rigasa at 2pm while the final departure time from Idu is 4pm.

According to Mr Ali,  on Wednesdays, only one train will depart Rigasa at 7am and another will depart Idu at 4pm.

It adds that the Corporation once again regrets any inconvenience passengers may have experienced as a result of the temporary suspension of the service.

 FRCN Abuja / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Transportation

The Federal Government through the Nigeria Railway Corporation on Thursday announced that it had reconnected the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service line that was bombed by terrorists on March 28, 2022 in Kaduna.

A statement issued by the NRC and made available to our correspondent in Abuja stated that major track work on the rail line had been completed, adding that services would soon resume on the line.

The statement read in part, “In our concerted efforts at restoring the AKTS tracks corridor for resumption of service soonest, please note the latest updates: the connection of the AKTS line has been achieved.

“This implies that the major track components (concrete sleepers and rails) have been completely laid. The south end of the tracks (which was destroyed by the explosion) has been successfully joined with the north end.

Track access between Abuja and Kaduna is now restored. The technical team continue with other track stabilisation works including ballasting, temping, fastening of accessories (clips, bolts and nuts) and welding.”

The NRC stated that Loco 2502 which was involved in the accident (though not damaged) and trapped at the Rigasa end due to lack of route access had now crossed to the Idu end and taken to the workshop for proper examination and routine maintenance.

As we have mentioned in our earlier releases, the Abuja – Kaduna Train Service will resume soon with additional security measures put in place,” it stated.

The corporation added, “Passengers will be required to provide their NIN registration for verification prior to purchasing train tickets. This is for improved passenger profiling and safety onboard.

“The corporation is committed to the safety of all our passengers and staff onboard the ill-fated Ak9 train service. We will continue to collaborate with security agencies to ensure all persons being held are rescued unhurt and reunited with their families, soonest.”

Punch/Olaolu Fawole

Lifestyle

Claims of ownership of the railway line set-back in Osogbo is generating rows among some residents of the Osun State capital.

In some parts of Osogbo and communities along the rail line, many residents have erected make-shift structures as close as two metres from the rail line. 

This led to a protest by a group under the auspices of Osun Muslims Coalition for Justice.

The group in their numbers stormed the Oke-Onitea section of the railway line with placards with various inscriptions such as “Don’t allocate Muslim praying ground to Pastor Bukola Solomon”, “Muslims love peace but hate injustice” among others.

The spokesperson for the Muslim Coalition for Justice, Mr Quaseem Odedeji alleged that an official of the Nigeria Railway Corporation was collaborating with some people to convert a piece of land given to Muslims as a prayer ground for another person.

Mr Odedeji explained that the land, which is a set-back to the rail line was given to the Muslim community for use as an Eid prayer ground, but the same land had been allocated to one pastor by Mr Innocent Agbaji, an official of the NRC.

He urged the authority of the corporation to call Mr Agbaji to order to avert an unnecessary crisis, saying approval of permanent structure on Railway set back is illegal.

Radio Nigeria got through to Mr Agbaji, who is the Area Manager of Railway Property Management Company Limited in Osogbo described the allegation as false.

Mr Agbaji claimed that it was his predecessor, Mr Okon Dike who allocated the said set-back to one Mr Lateef Oriade and Mr Bukola Solomon and not to any mosque or church as they alleged.

The Area Manager added that the protesting group had at one time or the other reported the matter to various police authorities who had equally intervened, but rather than adhere to the rules of settlement, they are protesting.

Mr Agbaji said upon assumption of office, he had revoked the lands from all the parties to avert the breakdown of law and order.

A letter obtained by newsmen, signed by Mr Agbaji indicates the revocation of the said land from Mr Lateef Oriade on the grounds it has become a source of threat to the life of staff of the corporation and railway police station, while the terms of the agreement have equally been violated.

Adenitan Akinola

Transportation

A narrow gauge train conveying soft drinks from Lagos to Kano has derailed at Farin Ruwa, near Jaji in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing the train driver.

Public Relations Officer, Northern Regional District of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Zaria, Mallam Abdullahi Alhaji confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.

According to Mallam Alhaji, the driver of the train, Bala Kawu died during the incident.

He said the incident happened as a result of the vandalism of slippers and other accessories on the rail track in the area.

Malam Alhaji added that rescue efforts are currently ongoing to recover the remains of the deceased to salvage the situation for the train to continue its journey to Kano.

NET/Olaolu Fawole

Crime

Bandits launched yet another attack on Gidan station, on the Abuja-Kaduna rail line, this afternoon.

The attack occurred shortly after the entourage of the Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi passed through. on their way to Rijana, where they would conduct an inspection to determine the extent of damage caused by the attack that occurred on Monday night.

According to reports, a police car was set on fire while NRC personnel stationed in the area fled.

Security personnel were able to bring the situation under control.

8 confirmed dead

Amaechi confirmed that 8 people lost their lives in the bandits’ attack on the Abuja- Kaduna rail line on Monday night, while 41 people were hospitalised.

He said technological tools, such as sophisticated digital cameras to enable thorough monitoring of all rail tracks in the country, was the best precautionary measure to forestall banditry along the corridors.

Mr Amaechi stated this during an on-the-spot assessment of damaged tracks and coaches as a result of an attack by bandits on the Abuja Kaduna rail route.

He said a proposal had been made in that regard to the National Assembly long ago and was waiting for approval.

The Minister noted that perimeter fencing along the rail line was stopped because there were no funds to pay the contractor handling it. He added that it was not the solution to the terror attack, but a stop-gap measure to prevent grazing by animals.

The Minister was accompanied on the inspection visit by his Minister of State counterpart, Sen.Gbemisola Saraki.

Fubura Pepple, editing by Daniel Adejo.

Transportation

The Nigerian Railway Corporation has suspended train operations along the Abuja-Kaduna route indefinitely.

The NRC made this known in a post via its official Twitter handle @Official NRC on Tuesday morning.

In a terse statement, the NRC stated that the suspension was due to unforeseen circumstances.

“Dear passengers, due to unforeseen circumstances, Train operations along the Abuja-Kaduna route have been temporarily suspended. Further communication would be given in due course.”

It would be recalled that some suspected terrorists had bombed the Abuja-Kaduna rail tracks and attacked a train filled with passengers on Monday night.

It was also reported that security operatives were deployed to the scene of the attack.

The attack came a few days after the terrorists attacked the Kaduna International Airport where an aircraft was prevented from taking off.

Punch

Transportation

The federal government is partnering Ogun State to promote the developmental plan for Lagos-Ibadan railway infrastructure and forestall building of illegal structures along the rail corridors. 

To this end, a committee comprising officials of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC and the Ogun State Government has been inaugurated as part of proactive steps to prevent vandalism of the facilities and haphazard development along the passageways. 

At the event, the Ogun State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Tunji Odunlami who noted that 5 out of 10 Train terminus along Lagos/Ibadan railway stations were domiciled in Ogun State, said the move would check the tendency for people to develop slums or shanties along the corridors of rail stations. 

Also, the Ogun State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Gbenga Dairo, said the operations of the rail system had impacted greatly on the socio-economic activities of the state and promised government’s support for the project to in the interest of the people. 

On his part, the Director Operations, NRC, Mr. Niyi Alli, said the corporation would ensure that necessary arrangements were put in place for the smooth running of the rail system, adding that the federal government was ready to assist the state in actualising its dream of promoting proper physical planning. Olusegun Folarin

Lifestyle

Work resumed today after the Christmas and Boxing Day holidays amid the second wave of COVID-19 infection in the country.

Radio Nigeria correspondent who visited some offices in Ibadan to see the level of compliance to federal government directives on measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 reports that, only the senior officers were at work.

A civil servant with the Nigeria Railway Corporation, NRC, Mrs Olukemi Oyewo said the work load was much on them as the number of workers on grade level 12 and below were more than the senior workers.

Acting Deputy Zonal Manager, Corporate Communication, Ibadan, Mr Emmanuel Osuji and Transport Unit Head, Mr Samuel Oduwaye at the Nigeria Postal Service, NPS, in Dugbe said they enjoyed the Christmas break with their families, and have reported for duty as directed by the federal government.

The rest who responded described the outgoing year as one that was characterized by challenges for the nation, expressing hope that, government would be able to address the concerns of citizen better in the New Year.

It would be recalled that, federal government had directed that, workers form grade level 12 and below should work from home for five weeks to curb the spread of COVID-19, while those from grade level 13 upward should carry on with their duties.

Funmilola Obagbayegun