House of Representatives will summon the Minister of Transport to brief Nigerians on the causes of the recurring derailments of the Abuja-Kaduna train, which has derailed twice in the last two weeks, with hundreds of passengers onboard.
The decision is a sequel to a motion of urgent public importance, sponsored by Alhaji Umar Shehu Ajilo, a member from Kaduna State, and adopted by the house.
Alhaji Umar Shehu Ajilo, who described the railway system as the safest mode of transportation in the world, said the recent trend of recurring train derailments proves otherwise, a situation that has attracted collective concern.
He explained that the Abuja-Kaduna train services convey a significant number of passengers and goods between Abuja and Kaduna, playing a huge economic and social role in Nigeria.
He added that the rate at which derailments occur has become unnecessarily alarming.
The lawmaker emphasized that the recent derailment, which occurred on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, when a train traveling from Abuja to Kaduna derailed at Jere town and Asha Station, left many passengers stranded being the second such unfortunate occurrence within the last two weeks.
Alhaji Umar Ajilo further maintained that the house must rise to the occasion by interfacing with the management of the railway sector and investigating the root causes of the incidents to ensure that rail derailments do not result in a national calamity.
While adopting the motion, the house directed its committee on Land transportation to investigate the matter and report back to the House within four week for further legislative considerations.
COV/TSIBIRI
