By Fidelis Ugbomeh
Resumption
There are strong indications that management of Nigerian Railway Corporation is making efforts to restore Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge passenger train service, as it commenced a four-day mandatory refresher training for all categories of staff in the District.
The management in a statement also enjoined staff to adhere strictly to operational procedures especially caution orders.
The training programme which started on Monday forms the last stage of the aftermath of August 26, 2025:derailment, the review, restoration and progress outline plans for resumption of service.
Speaking at a meeting held recently with management team of Abuja-Kaduna Train Service, (AKTS) alongside some directors of the corporation, Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation Dr Kayode Opeifa called for a strict adherence to operational directives especially caution orders.
However managing director, First Rit Nigeria Limited Mr. Eric Umezurike commended efforts of the present management of NRC to restore confidence of passengers in the rail system adding that training should be carried out on a regular basis and not when accidents occur.
He noted that rail infrastructure is capital intensive considering the cost of one Locomotive engine including coaches, wagons and tracks.
Umezurike who is a freight forwarder stated that some of the coaches that fell on the ground after the Kaduna to Abuja train accident will have to be put in good working condition before rerailment.
He said that the management should put everything in place especially electronic signal and communication equipment so as to ensure that night travel by rail is reintroduced.
According to him, the control centre of the electronic/digital of signal and communications equipment called “Alex Ekuweme Contro Towers”, located at Ebute-Metta Junction including signal lights installed along the Lagos-Ibadsn railway corridor still remain mere structures as long as it has not been put to use.
Rerailment
The minister of transportation, Senator Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali had during inspection of the accident site penultimate Monday said that all the coaches would be rerailed and the tracks restored within 10 days.
He also pointed out that preliminary investigations showed that the derailment was due to a faulty point at interchange of tracks during entry into Asham railway terminal
Alkali assured passengers that prior to the resumption of service, integrity of the tracks and rolling stocks would be well tested so as to guarantee safety during transit.
About 618 passengers were on board the ill-fated train out of which15 are crew members including caterers, cleaners and 1 medical personnel.
The managing director of the corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa in a statement said that management has reached out to most of the passengers on board the train.
He also disclosed that the corporation has established “Incident Desk”, to handle enquiries and provide regular updates through dedicated phone lines about the accident
Derailment
Recall that on August 26, this year a Kaduna to Abuja bound passenger train derailed during entry into Asham railway terminal leaving 20 passengers injured out of which 9 were critical and have been treated in a nearby hospital at expense of management of NRC.
The director general, Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau, Capt. Alex Basdeh stated that Eight passenger coaches with one Locomotive engine at the front derailed shortly after passing a track changing point (Switch turnout) at Asham railway terminal.
He also disclosed that, five coaches with registration numbers; SC006T, SC008T, SC0010T, E0025 and EB0025 derailed while two coaches-SC002T and SC004T were overturned”
Badeh However noted that the rear Locomotive engine and coach with registration numbers: CDD5C2 and SC0025 remained on track respectively.
NSIB report
Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has announced plans to release report of investigation into Abuja-Kaduna passenger train accident within 30 days despite the paucity of funds.
The accident occurred on August 26, this year, and director general of the bureau Capt Alex Badeh Jnr. says “It takes 30 days from date of accidents to release preliminary report”.
He called for more funding of accident investigations which has been challenging in the country so as to expand capacity to conduct such investigations.
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