Says permanent solution coming on incessant breakdowns on Abuja-Kaduna train
By Our Reporter
Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has revealed that the new Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge, opened for commercial operation on June 10 conveyed 42,000 passengers in the same month.
This is as he disclosed that the Federal Government has directed the Nigerian Railway Corporation to find a lasting solution to the lack of spare parts which is at the roots of the incessant breakdowns on the Abuja-Kaduna train.
Speaking in Lagos, after a routine inspection of the Lagos-Ibadan rail project on Friday, Amaechi said on the short term, some spare parts that are being expected for the Lagos-Ibadan trains will be used to repair the Abuja-Kaduna train locomotives.
According to him; “after the last breakdown of the Abuja-Kaduna train, I instructed the NRC to stop using that particular locomotive. I am surprised that there was a delay, relating to another breakdown in the early hours of today, (Friday).
“The issue with the breakdown of the Kaduna-Abuja train is down to lack of maintenance which is attributable to a lack of spare parts from China. We have written to Mr. President on this issue and he has graciously approved the purchase of spare parts for the Lagos-Ibadan trains. Very soon, the Chinese will supply us with enough spare parts for the Lagos-Ibadan rail. We would be using some of these spare parts for the Abuja-Kaduna trains and hopefully, the issue of incessant breakdown of the trains will be resolved.
“On the Lagos-Ibadan trains, I am happy to say that Nigerians are warming up to the trains. 42,000 passengers were moved in June. We expect the figure to increase in the coming months because if we can move 42,000 in the month that we started, then the figures will increase as more people become aware of the train services between Lagos and Ibadan.”
On the delays in the completion of the train stations, the Minister explained that due to a recent kidnap of some Chinese officials in the Olodo area of Ogun State, the train station there is yet to be completed.
Most of the stations have been completed except for Olodo which is delayed due to a recent kidnap of some Chinese officials. The contractor has completed most of the communication and signalling work, but we need to observe the project for the next six months to be sure everything is working perfectly.
“If not, we won’t be able to do the 16 trips-a-day train schedule as planned. The reason we are inspecting is to be sure everything is working as planned. After six months, when we are very sure of what we are seeing, then we can bring in new coaches and locomotives and increase the trips.
The Minister added that the Corporation would soon increase the trip frequency on the corridor to eight. This according to him is in response to the surge in demand by passengers.
“As of today, I have directed the NRC to scale up the number of trips per day from four to eight,” Rotimi Amaechi said.