When the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) is split up by the Federal Government, its services will be more effective and efficient.
Mu’azu Sambo, the Minister of Transportation, stated this during a courtesy call from NRC Governing Board members in Abuja.
This is according to a statement published by Dr. Sam Idiagbonya, Sambo’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity.
”The NRC cannot be the Owner, Operator and Regulator at the same time.
”The private sector is the engine of growth. Let someone else operate your lines efficiently. We cannot have an Agency that is Owner, Regulator and Operator at the same time,” the minister said.
Regarding the restart of the Abuja-Kaduna train services, he stated that business activities would start up once security measures were put in place to prevent further train assaults in the nation.
“We are looking at how the rail lines can be safe by putting 24 hours surveillance and immediate response apparatus.
”The security measures will include short and long term plans, with the short term plans taking effect from November.
”In addition to the security measures, promised Nigerians that rail services will become operational only when those kidnapped in the Abuja – Kaduna train service regained their freedom and are reunited with their families.
“I’ve told Nigerians that I will not run the services until every captive is released.
” We are lucky today, they are all released and reunited with their families. We are also lucky that all of them are back alive and were all given proper medical care”, the Minister added.
Regarding the nation’s infrastructure development, the minister claimed that the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration has made the most investments.
The Minister added that a National Transportation Policy would soon be unveiled, outlining a seamless national transportation system.
He then asked the board to get ready by exploring more affordable and environmentally friendly energy sources for the transportation industry.
Earlier, Mr. Ibrahim Musa, the chairman of the NRC board, informed the minister that the cost of operating the trains was so high due to the high cost of diesel, admitting that they were operating at a loss.
He requested the minister’s intervention since the Lagos-Ibadan, Warri-Itakpe, and Abuja-Kaduna railway lines are among the things the current administration is proud of.
