The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) is grappling with a significant decline in its monthly revenue, plummeting from N500 million to a mere N1 million, as revealed by Engr. Fidet Okhiria, the Managing Director of the NRC. The staggering drop has been attributed to the ramifications of the recent security incident on the Abuja-Kaduna rail line.
Engr. Fidet Okhiria addressed the pressing issue during a recent inspection of the Idu Train Station in Abuja. He underscored that the primary objective of the inspection was to address specific concerns raised by Saidu Alkali, the Minister of Transportation. These concerns encompassed vital aspects such as the functionality of escalators, elevators, and the allowances for security personnel.
Highlighting the severity of the situation, Okhiria explained that the NRC’s train service operations have undergone a drastic reduction. Previously, the corporation conducted ten return trips, generating substantial revenue. However, due to the security incident’s aftermath, the NRC has been constrained to operate just two return trips. Furthermore, operating hours have been curtailed, with a directive to conclude operations by 6 pm each day.
Optimism prevails within the NRC as they anticipate a return to normalcy in security conditions. Okhiria expressed hope that expert advice and guidance will pave the way for a comprehensive resumption of operations, allowing the NRC to regain its financial footing.
In addition to the financial challenges, Engr. Fidet Okhiria addressed another pressing matter—the outstanding allowances for security personnel. He revealed that efforts are underway to address this concern, with two months’ worth of outstanding allowances already disbursed. The NRC aims to promptly resolve this issue and ensure that its staff’s well-being is attended to.
This sobering update follows the unfortunate incident from last year, when bandits targeted the Abuja-Kaduna train route, detonating a bomb on the rail track. The attack led to the immobilization of the train between Katari and Rijana, resulting in the abduction of several passengers. The captives were subsequently released following the payment of an undisclosed ransom.
As the NRC grapples with these challenges, the broader implications for Nigeria’s transportation sector and the measures taken to address them remain a matter of crucial concern.
