The Federal Government has assured passengers of the Warri-Itakpe train service of their safety as operations resumed on Monday, following a train accident at the Major Gen. David Ejor Rail Station last Thursday.
During an inspection of the Agbor-Abraka rail station on Sunday, the Minister of Transportation, Senator Ahmed Alkali, represented by the ministry’s acting Permanent Secretary, Mr. Pius Oteh, emphasized the government’s commitment to passenger safety.
“Our first observation is to see that normalcy has been restored. We are here on the directive of the minister who was concerned when the accident happened on Thursday night,” Oteh stated.
He added that the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), the operator of all rail services, had already taken preliminary steps to ascertain the cause of the accident and ensure the safety of everyone involved.
“As the supervisory ministry of NRC, we also found it necessary to have a first assessment of the situation. The Warri-Itakpe railway is a critical component of our national railway infrastructure. We are happy to be here and express the minister’s concern,” he said.
“We are happy that the incident did not lead to any casualties. It is an operational issue, and we are pleased to see that NRC has used their internal resources to fix the track. By tomorrow, Monday, the train will resume its operation. We thank God that the accident did not claim any life.”
The minister also commended the NRC for its efficient and effective service over the years, disclosing plans to run two daily sessions.
Addressing concerns about security, particularly the issue of kidnapping around the railway, the minister assured that security agencies are actively working to address the trend.
He encouraged the public to continue using the train, noting that efforts are ongoing to extend the railway line to Abuja.
The Managing Director of NRC, Freeborn Okhiria, appealed to the people of Delta State to take ownership of railway facilities to ensure their safety and maintenance. He emphasized that the facilities do not belong to the President or the minister but to the public.
“All the things happening here were man-made issues,” Okhiria noted, adding that the NRC is working to expand the number of coaches despite the limited operation time due to security concerns.