By Fidelis Ugbomeh
The ‘Workers Day’ marked recently, presented an opportunity for reflection, renewed commitment and appreciation of labour’s vital role in nation-building especially by corporate bodies and structured private organizations
In commemoration of this year’s celebration, managing director, of Nigerian railway corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa in goodwill message took a critical look at role of Nigerian railway workers commending their dedication to duty and resilience despite challenges.
Opeifa who was physically present during this year’s ‘May Day’ rally at Eagles Square, Abuja, alongside comrade L. Ajiji, President General, Nigerian Union of Railway Men and his Senior Staff Association counterpart, comrade Emeka Okeke, reaffirmed management’s commitment to continually invest in staff welfare, safety and capacity development.
He posited that despite facing significant infrastructural and operational challenges, railway workers have continued to demonstrate professionanism and discipline driven by a deep sense of national duty.
“I am consistently inspired by the level of professionalism and passion I witness in every corner of this great corporation nationwide. You are more than employees- you are the wheels of the Renewed Hope Project, nation-builders, innovators, and agent of change,” Opeifa said.
He also spoke about importance of sustained collaboration among all stakeholders in achieving a modern, efficient and sustainable rail transport system for Nigeria adding that railway workers should remain steadfast and innovative as the corporation executes its strategic goals for revitalization.
President general, Nigerian Union of Railway Men (NUR), comrade Jonathan Ajiji who was visibly excited over presence of the managing director at the Abuja rally had in an interview noted that railway workers are the least paid in terms of the civil service salary structure and pension paid retirees compared to amount paid staff and retirees of other government parastatals.
While commending the government for its sustainable investment in development of standard gauge railway line in some parts of the country, he stated that there are only few functional Locomotive engines operating in the entire narrow gauge railway network.
He explained further that due to the shortfall in number of locomotive engines in the narrow gauge network, the few operational locos are currently deployed to service the western line and northern district as well as Aba-Port-Harcourt railway corridor.
Ajiji stated that the union reneged in its earlier decision to embark on indefinite strike so as to give the new helmsman opportunity to settle down and look into issues ranging from salary structure to overtime, repair of serviceable engines in the narrow gauge fleet, procurement of new engines, replacement of vandalized tracks, insecurity and capacity building as promised during his first day of resumption of office.
An expert in transport and logistics Mr. Eric Umezurike in his remarks advised the new railway helmsman to focus on provision of infrastructural facilities especially locomotive engines and workers welfare.
He lamented that for instance, during the last Easter celebration, one of the two engines earlier deployed for servicing the Iddo to Ijoko/Kajola return short distance train shuttle was redeployed to convey passengers from Iddo to Oshogbo and back during the public holidays based on agreement between NRC and Osun State government.
This development according to him, affected train operation in Lagos and environs after the Easter holidays as the corporation could only operate one passenger train from Kajola to Iddo on Tuesday (April 22, 2025) instead of two because the only backup engine was redeployed to operate the free passenger train service sponsored by Osun state government.
Umezurike stressed that most passengers who waited to board the only available train penultimate Tuesday after the holidays at Ijoko, Agbado and Agege had to collect.
Leave a comment