The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) says operations on the Abuja-Kaduna train service will resume on Saturday, October 23 following recent explosion on the rail track.
NRC managing director Fidet Okhiria told newsmen on Friday that the corporation was also committed to ensuring the safety of passengers and crew on the route.
“The board and management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation hereby informs the general public, particularly our valued passengers, that Abuja – Kaduna train services (AKTS) will resume tomorrow, Saturday, October 23.
”The first train will run from, Idu, Abuja (AK3) at 0950a.m and from Rigasa Kaduna (KA4) at 1035a.m. Subsequent trains services will continue. NRC, once again, sincerely apologises for the inconvenience,” Mr Okhiria said.
The NRC boss noted that security agents were now fully involved in safeguarding rail facilities from further attacks.
“The commissioner of police, DSS are now going to be fully involved. The minster also spoke about introducing technology and we have an active team that will respond to the information that will be provided by the technology,” he said.
Okhiria further urged Nigerians to stay firm and not be scared “so as not to give people, who do not wish Nigeria well, room to succeed,” noting that it was better to run more trains on the track as that would prevent people from interfering with the tracks.
On ensuring adequate means of communication along the route, the NRC boss said the corporation would try and replicate a satellite telephone system on the route, similar to what was provided on the Warri-Itakpe route.
Okhiria said the corporation could not provide transportation from rail stations to metropolises, adding, ”that is why we are hoping for a PPP so that people can organise themselves and provide that service.”
Minister of transportation Rotimi Amaechi had earlier directed the NRC to resume services on the Abuja-Kaduna route, while assuring the installation of a digitalised security system along the route.
