Senate probes decline in Nigerian railway operations

The Senate has constituted an ad-hoc committee chaired by Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) to investigate alleged growing decadence in the operations of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), following concerns over sharp decline in services, passenger traffic and revenue.

The decision followed the adoption of a point of order raised by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) during Thursday’s plenary session.

Raising the matter under Order 42 (personal explanation) of the Senate Standing Rules, Ningi drew attention to what he described as the “tragic state” of the nation’s railway system, with particular reference to the Kano–Kaduna and Abuja–Kaduna corridors.

He recalled that the rail lines linking Kano, Kaduna and Abuja were completed and commissioned in 2015 under former President Goodluck Jonathan, and later re-commissioned by the administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari, with about five cargo heads and between eight and ten passenger coaches.

According to him, the rail service initially operated about 10 daily trips, five from Abuja to Kaduna and five from Kaduna to Abuja , and transported roughly 10,000 passengers daily.

However, Ningi said a recent personal assessment revealed a drastic collapse in operations.

Ruling on the matter, Senate President Godswill Akpabio upheld the point of order and directed the ad-hoc committee to submit its report to the Senate within six weeks.

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