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Tag: Itakpe

  • NRC suspends Warri-Itakpe train operations

    NRC suspends Warri-Itakpe train operations

    Train services on the Warri-Itakpe route have been suspended by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC)  due to a mechanical fault on its locomotive.

    The mechanical fault which occurred around 1:30 pm yesterday left over 200 passengers stranded.  The incident according to an official of the corporation happened about 14 kilometres to Itakpe.

    Prior to their evacuation, personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security, Civil Defence Corps and local vigilantes were deployed to the area to beef up security in the area.

    The corporation, in a notice announcing confirming the development,  apologised for the inconvenience caused the passengers.

    It promised that service would resume on the route today  ‘’as our  team is working diligently to resolve the issue.’’

  • UPDATE: NRC suspends Warri-Itakpe train service

    UPDATE: NRC suspends Warri-Itakpe train service

    The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has suspended service along the Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS) corridor.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Coordinator of the WITS, Mr Sanni Abdulganiyu made the disclosure following the derailment of a train operating the route.

    The WITS train derailed at km 30 Ajaokuta-Itakpe section of the track at about  12:30 p.m. on Sunday.

    “Thankfully there were no fatalities nor casualties as a result of the derailment,” Mr Abdulganiyu said.

    The Coordinator stated that the corporation was immediately alerted and security personnel were immediately drafted to the accident scene.

    ”The personnel comprised the Army, Police, NSCDC, and the community vigilante with the assistance of the local government chairman.

    ”All the 148 passengers and 30 crew members were evacuated to a safe place and arrangements were made to convey the passengers to their various destinations.

    ”And the passengers have been successfully conveyed,” he said.

    On the cause of the derailment, the coordinator said it was yet to be determined.

    Abdulganiyu said due to the incident, the service along the corridor had been suspended and further details would be communicated to members of the public.

    According to him, repair and operation will resume as soon as possible.

    Meanwhile, the Kogi Police Command on Sunday confirmed that all the passengers of the train that derailed in Kogi forest have been safely evacuated.

    The state Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Akeem Yusuf, made this known in a telephone interview in Lokoja.

    The I’ll fated train plying the Warri-Itakpe route unfortunately derailed in Kogi forest between Ajaokuta and Itakpe towns, forcing the passengers to be stranded.

    It was said to had left Warri early morning of Sunday but got derailed at around 12 p.m inside the forest, a situation which reportedly instilled fear in the passengers.

    But Yusuf said: “When we got the distress call, I immediately dispatch a team of rescue team that rushed to the forest to give them cover.

    “We didn’t take the report with laxity but ensured that the passengers and the train crew got the desired security cover.

    “Our plans were to ensure no criminal element take advantage of the situation to do anything funny and God helping us nothing funny happened.

    “I can boldly tell you that all the passengers have been evacuated to safety without any cause for alarm,” he said.

    Yusuf said that what was left at the scene was the wagons of the train, but all the passengers were made to proceed with their journey without any hindrance.

    The police boss commended his officers and men that successfully conducted the rescue operations alongside other security operatives in the state.

  • VIDEO: Watch moment Warri-Itakpe train derailed on Sunday

    VIDEO: Watch moment Warri-Itakpe train derailed on Sunday

    A train operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC)  along the Warri-Itakpe Train Station (WITS) route derailed on Sunday, leaving passengers stranded.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) recalls gunmen attacked a train station along the WITS route on January 7th, kidnapping 20 persons. The attack happened at the Igueben train station in Edo State.

    Five persons and two village chiefs were arrested in connection with the incident.

    Sunday’s happened while the train was travelling from Ujevwu in Delta State but derailed at a location between Ajaokuta and Itakpe in Kogi State.

    Watch video below:

  • BREAKING: Warri-Itakpe train service grounded, passengers stranded as train derails

    BREAKING: Warri-Itakpe train service grounded, passengers stranded as train derails

    The Warri Itakpe train service (WITS) has been grounded after a train operating the route derailed on Sunday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the train derailment left passengers, who were waiting to board the train to travel to Warri from Itakpe, stranded.

    The train embarked on the 8 am trip from Ujevwu in Udu local government area of Delta State but derailed at a location between Ajaokuta and Itakpe in Kogi State.

    According to the schedule of the train service, the train is supposed to pick up passengers from the Itakpe train station at 2 pm for Warri.

    It was observed that the rail tracks were badly damaged.

    Meanwhile, security agencies have rescued the stranded passengers. However, passengers waiting to board the train to Warri have been left stranded.

    A source in the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), who refused to be named, confirmed the development and disclosed that efforts are ongoing to restore the train operations.

    However, there is no official statement yet from NRC on the matter.

    Recall that on January 7th, gunmen attacked a train station along the WITS route, kidnapping 20 persons. The attack happened at the Igueben train station in Edo State.

    Five persons and two village chiefs were arrested in connection with the incident.

  • NRC suspends 8am train service from Ujevwu to Itakpe

    NRC suspends 8am train service from Ujevwu to Itakpe

    The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has suspended the 8am train service from Ujevwu in Delta State to Itakpe in Kogi State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the suspension is effective from January 17 due to technical glitches.

    However, Mr Fidet Okhiria, NRC’s Managing Director said that measures were in place to rectify the issues at the earliest possible time.

    “This is to inform the general public and most especially our esteemed passengers that due to technical hitches the 08:00hrs train from Ujevwu station will not run from tomorrow Jan.17. The 14:15hrs train will, however, continue to run.

    “Be assured that every effort is being made to ensure that this disruption is for a minimal period of time. We regret any inconveniences this may cause our esteemed passengers,” he said.

    TNG reports this is coming a few weeks after the federal government declared free train rides for Nigerians during the yuletide.

  • Passengers influx: Warri-Itakpe Train Service to get additional coaches

    Passengers influx: Warri-Itakpe Train Service to get additional coaches

    The Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS) will get additional coaches, the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has said.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Coordinator of the WITS, Abdulganiyu Sanni made this known on Friday, while also confirming that the NRC would soon commence e-ticketing along the axis

    He said this was part of plans to manage the heavy influx of passengers and reduce the number of passengers that stand on board trains along the Warri-Itakpe route.

    Sanni made these known, following a series of passengers’ complaints along the Warri-Itakpe rail route.

    “I am not in Agbor right now, however, it is possible to have standing passengers on the train because the sales of ticket is manual. This will be curtailed with the introduction of e-ticketing which will come up soon.

    “The Head office has advertised for this and bids were submitted. The selection and award for the project is likely to be done this year.

    “We are also making efforts to strengthen the train with additional two coaches of 88 passengers per coach. This is expected to reduce the number of passengers without seats,” Sanni said.

    According to the coordinator, the coaches are already stationed in Agbor and will be added by the first week of December after mechanical check and satisfaction.

    In spite of the complaints by passengers, there is a video clip circulating in the media where passengers along the route were seen jam packed and standing in a train heading to Kogi.

    A passenger who was on board the train, Gloria Ali, expressed displeasure that passengers paid the same fare to be transported to a location only for a few to be seated while a majority were standing.

    “The train was full, some passengers were even standing at the door and you can imagine that everyone paid the same fare.

    “This is heartbreaking. And I’m sure some passengers using this medium for the first time today will have a horrible experience of the ride.

    “I pray the appropriate quarters will do something as soon as possible about this situation, as it calls for serious concern,” she said.

  • Kogi Deputy Governor narrates experience after using Warri-Itakpe train service

    Kogi Deputy Governor narrates experience after using Warri-Itakpe train service

    The Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Edward Onoja has opened up and narrated his experience after using the Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS).

    After experiencing the WITS, Onoja said the standard gauge rail line should be prioritised by the government, stressing that this is because the route links the Northern and the Southern States of the country.

    Onoja, who spoke after boarding the Warri-Itakpe train in Itakpe, Kogi, commended the Federal Government and the Ministry of Transport for the invaluable infrastructural feat.

    “My experience was a pleasant one, though with hitches here and there, but pleasant in the sense that by comparison, moving from Itakpe to Warri with the only option, which is by road.

    “This by far outweighs it, in the area of comfort, risk level and by all standards, the Kogi government has done a lot by attracting infrastructural development to the State.

    “The rail line is strictly a federal government infrastructural project, the proximity between Lokoja, the State Capital of Kogi and the Federal Capital is less than 200km.

    “Which eventually, linking Warri, and the entire South South to the federal capital, should not be something the State Government should be pursuing, it should be a priority for the Federal Ministry of Transportation.

    “It should not be something that should be lobbied for, it should be a priority,” Onoja said.

    The Deputy Governor stated that Lokoja was the gateway to the North and South, adding, “Gov. Yahaya Bello has made the State secure, which is a good platform for investments.

    “Kogi is a good investment destination, Lokoja is closer to FCT, where the whole world comes to.

    “Therefore, it is key to link it by rail and it should ordinarily be as a baseline and priority to the minister of transport, which he already said he would close that gap, the distance is less than 200km, it is not a 1,000km project.

    “The challenges I can see here might be the River Niger, which needs to be crossed. But, even the Itakpe rail line also crossed some rivers as you move to Warri, so crossing river is not the major challenge and the issue of land allocation for the stations within the state will not be an issue.

    “Connecting virtually every state capital to the railway system in Nigeria, is a long time effect, it will take pressure off the road, which ultimately reduces the number of lives lost due to reckless driving.”

    Onoja however, called for proper maintenance of the Warri-Itakpe rail operations.

    “My tickets were hand written, while e-payments were not accepted. I paid cash.

    “The coaches were overcrowded with over 100 passengers in a coach, while the digital announcement board was not functional, among other observed hitches,” he said.

  • Itakpe-Warri railway line is in operation – Official

    Itakpe-Warri railway line is in operation – Official

    An official of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has said the Itakpe-Warri rail line is in operation.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the official who asked not to be named made this known on the telephone on Thursday.

    The official confirmed that some unknown persons vandalized a section of the Itakpe-Warri rail line.

    However, the NRC official said the line vandalized was not the line currently used to service the Itakpe-Warri route.

    Recall that a trending video emerged online showing the Itakpe-Warri rail line that is putting smiles in the faces of Southern Nigeria travelers already sabotaged by hoodlums.

    Meanwhile, the NRC official told TNG that the Itakpe-Warri rail line is in full operation despite the ugly development.

    “We are working. Even now, we are at the office. The tracks at some sections were vandalized, but it has not affected our operations. It is on our line but not the line that we are using,” the official said.

    TNG reports the Itakpe-Warri rail line, which started operations in 2019, was revamped by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

  • Itakpe-Warri rail begins daily operations Nov. 19

    Mr Fidel Okhiria, Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), says Itakpe-Warri rail line will begin daily operations on Monday, Nov. 19.

    Okhiria disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Wednesday.

    He said that the daily operations would be used to study the timing and traffic pattern for the period of one month, before commercial activities would commenced fully.

    According to him, the daily test run operation will end on Dec. 19, with inspection by various government officials to see the level of work going on.

    “By Nov. 19, we will commence daily operations, on Nov. 7 some National Assembly members went there for a train ride, they were pleased.

    “We are preparing to go on more inspections with government officers but before then, we will start our daily test run, not commercial, so that we can study the timing and traffic pattern.

    “So, we will do that for a month, ending Dec. 19, then commercial operation will commence immediately,“ he said.

    The NRC boss stated that the operations would start with passengers first, before cargoes, as the passengers would start bringing goods and the warehouse would be available to off-load the goods.

    He said that 12 stations for the train service were still under construction, stating that temporary stations would be used pending when the stations would be completed.

    Okhiria said that the stations would be completed by the first quarter of 2019.

    “We are still working on the stations; we don’t want to wait until the stations are completed before we start, we have temporary stations, so that we don’t interfere with what they are doing which is allowed.

    “If we wait for the stations to be completed, the tracks may be vandalized again, but by the time we engage it for maintenance, we will protect the tracks.

    “Stations will come later; we hope that by the first quarter of next year, the 12 stations will be completed and commercial service will start after Dec. 19,’’ he said.