By Fidelis Ugbomeh
Preliminary investigation report of Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) identifying human error and lack of maintenance as causes of recent Abuja-Kaduna train accident clearly attests to issues raised by some experts on need for regular trainings and monitoring of integrity of tracks/coaches when the accident happened.
Close watchers of events in Nigerian Railway Corporation, (NRC) observed that outcome of the report and sudden decision to send staff on refresher course before resumption of service this week portrays an iota of negligence of duty on part of staff and management of the corporation respectively.
According to the report some sleepers at Asham railway station that had been previously damaged were not replaced but rather only patched.
Initial findings further revealed that the train of August 26, this year was second at the same Asham railway station within 13 months just as the station’s automatic crossing point Switch mechanism was discovered unserviceable as at time of accident.
It was also noted that the switch point was manually operated and locked with point clip which was broken.
Besides, the report indicated that NRC personnel had only initial training without formal refresher training even as operational and maintenance equipment including spare Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts were not readily available.
The report further revealed that some instruments and gadgets like Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Cameras remained deferred and unserviceable.
Consequently, the bureau in its safety recommendation advised management of NRC to ensure that all sleepers affected by derailments are replaced to guarantee track stability and prevent reoccurrence.
It also recommended that the corporation should consider replacing all point switchers of Asham railway station as well as the Abuja-Kaduna railway corridor with OEM parts so as to ensure reliability and safety in switch operations thereby reducing the risk of accidents.
The Bureau advised the corporation to consider addressing all areas where cautionary advisories are issued to Locomotive engine drivers in order to enhance operational safety and minimise risk of accidents
The management was enjoined to organise formal refresher trainings for NRC personnel to ensure staff remain up to date with safety procedures and operational best practices.
NSIB suggested that the corporation should restore all defective equipment such as CCTV cameras, class cks, and other critical instruments to OEM standards adding that these are vital for effective effective monitoring, safety and operational efficiency.
The NRC helmsman Dr. Kayode Opeifa however said that rail accidents are natural occurrences and that the outcome of investigations into accidents and recommendations would guide management towards ensuring that process that led to such accidents dosen’t happen again.
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