Published By News Editor
The Corporation said it has moved both human and material resources to the site of the train accident in order to re-rail the bombed section of the rail corridor and work resumed on the site yesterday, Saturday.
NRC’s Managing Director, Engr. Fidet Okhiria, who made this known in a personally signed statement said the corporation in line with the Presidential directive is eager to resume train services in order to reduce the stress that its passengers are currently going through.
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had last week directed that the Corporation return to the site and carry out necessary repairs and resume its operation on the critical Abuja-Kaduna corridor.
Okhiria said: “We are not resting on its oars as we have moved human and material resources to the accident site to make sure that train services resumed without further delays in order to reduce the stress that our passengers are currently going through.”
He said a high powered restoration team, led by directors have been working round the clock to re-rail the coaches affected by the bomb blast.
He explained that there is a co-ordinated two-pronged simultaneous restoration approach, as a Loco 2702 with re-railment and restoration materials departed Idu Station, Abuja to the bomb blast site, another team with Loco 2502 departed Rigasa Station, Kaduna with re-railment and restoration materials to the same site.
“I am happy to inform you that as at the close of work on the 1st of April 2022, Coaches SP00004, SP00009, SP00012, SP00013 have all been re-railed and safely taken to our Rigasa Station in Kaduna. Restoration of track for full resumption of normal train services will continue today 2nd April 2022,” he said.
Okhiria said that arrangements have been put in place for increased security along the track and on board the train to prevent the recurrence of the unfortunate incident.
Okhiria who again commiserated with families of those who lost heir loved ones and those that are still missing in the sad incident assured that the Corporation will continue to be with them through these challenging times.
Setting the record straight, Okhiria said the total seat capacity in the ill-fated train was 840, and the train manifest validated that only 362 passengers are aboard the train.
He said: “For the records, there were eleven (11) coaches on the train worked by Loco 2502, which is made up of four (4) SPA Coaches with 56 sitting capacity per coach and 7 SP Coaches with 88 sitting capacity per coach. Thus, the total seat capacity of the train is 840 seats. You may also recall that the Train Manifest contained 362 validated passengers aboard the train.”
He said the Corporation has confirmed the safety of 170 passengers, while 21 passengers are reported missing by relatives who have contacted the corporation.
“The Corporation, through repeated calls, has been able to confirm the safety of 170 passengers, while 21 passengers are reported missing by the relatives who made calls to us. The corporation is seriously collaborating with the security agencies who had already swung into action, in line with the directive of Mr. President to do everything possible to rescue all those that are still missing,” he said.