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The Senate on Wednesday, called on the Federal
Government to deploy more coaches to the Abuja-Kaduna train service, to
ameliorate the plight of passengers.
Government to deploy more coaches to the Abuja-Kaduna train service, to
ameliorate the plight of passengers.
The resolution followed a motion by Sen. Ali Ndume,
titled “urgent need to increase the number of Coaches to the Abuja-Kaduna rail
line.”
titled “urgent need to increase the number of Coaches to the Abuja-Kaduna rail
line.”
The senate said the call had become necessary following
the number of people who out of fear of kidnapping, and other criminal
activities, resorted to travelling by rail.
the number of people who out of fear of kidnapping, and other criminal
activities, resorted to travelling by rail.
The Senate, also urged the Nigerian Railway Corporation
(NRC) to increase frequency of trips, while regulating prices, to check abuse.
(NRC) to increase frequency of trips, while regulating prices, to check abuse.
Ndume noted that most passengers en-route Kaduna-Abuja
Road had resorted to rail as a safer means of transport.
Road had resorted to rail as a safer means of transport.
He also said that the increase in the patronage of the
rail services was as a result of its relative safety, comfort, convenience and
affordability.
rail services was as a result of its relative safety, comfort, convenience and
affordability.
The lawmaker expressed concerns that the train had been
hijacked by the elites, who daily congested the stations for fear of being
kidnapped or attacked by bandits on the Kaduna-Abuja road.
hijacked by the elites, who daily congested the stations for fear of being
kidnapped or attacked by bandits on the Kaduna-Abuja road.
According to Ndume, many travellers jostle for tickets
at the train stations on daily basis, adding that shortage in the number of
available coaches was the reason for the long queues recorded at the stations.
at the train stations on daily basis, adding that shortage in the number of
available coaches was the reason for the long queues recorded at the stations.
Contributing, Sen. Shehu Sani, noted that the
Kaduna-Abuja railway had become the oxygen and lifeline of the people,
stressing that the road had become one of the most dangerous roads in the
country.
Kaduna-Abuja railway had become the oxygen and lifeline of the people,
stressing that the road had become one of the most dangerous roads in the
country.
However, Sen. James Manager, disagreed with the
submission that the road was one of the most dangerous roads, stressing that
the road was rather the most dangerous in the country, saying that only those
who wanted to commit suicide could use the road at the moment.
submission that the road was one of the most dangerous roads, stressing that
the road was rather the most dangerous in the country, saying that only those
who wanted to commit suicide could use the road at the moment.
Contributing, Sen.Bala Ibn
Na’alla said the increase in train coaches was not the solution but increasing
the frequency of trips, wondering if Kaduna-Abuja road should be abandoned
because of security challenges.
Na’alla said the increase in train coaches was not the solution but increasing
the frequency of trips, wondering if Kaduna-Abuja road should be abandoned
because of security challenges.
The Senate Committee Chairman on Transport, Sen. Gbenga
Ashafa, revealed that the federal government had paid for 64 coaches but
lamented that the Chinese company building the coaches was only ready with 12
that would be delivered shortly.
Ashafa, revealed that the federal government had paid for 64 coaches but
lamented that the Chinese company building the coaches was only ready with 12
that would be delivered shortly.
In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola
Saraki put the resolution to a voice vote and it was adopted.(NAN)
Saraki put the resolution to a voice vote and it was adopted.(NAN)
