TheNewsGuru

Tag: NRC

  • Kaduna train attack: NRC confirms 21 passengers still missing

    Kaduna train attack: NRC confirms 21 passengers still missing

    The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), has confirmed the safety of 170 passengers aboard the Abuja-Kaduna train attacked by terrorists last Monday while 21 others were still missing.

    NRC’s Managing Director, Mr Fidet Okhiria, said this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos while giving update on the incident, which occurred on March 28, at Kateri-Rijana area of Kaduna State.

    He said said that seven coaches have been recovered while the Corporation had intensified efforts towards restoration of the services.

    Okhiria said that the Corporation in collaboration with security agencies would leave no stone unturned in their efforts at rescuing the missing persons.

    “From the last release, we confirmed that four Coaches (SP 00004, SP00009, SP00012 and SP00013) out of the 11 Coaches involved in the incident have been re-railed and safely moved to Rigasa Station while work is ongoing on track repairs.

    “We did also stated that 170 of the passengers onboard the train are safe while 21 other passengers are reported missing.

    “At the end of work on Saturday evening (02/04/2022) the NRC’s restoration team has further rerailed four more Coaches and two of the coaches (SP 00007 and SP 00013) had been safely moved to Idu and Rigasa Stations respectively.

    “The other two coaches are still at the site due to damaged tracks. This brings the total coaches so far rerailed to 7, but only 5 successfully moved to the stations.

    “However, efforts are on to linked the track, at the moment, a total of 80 meters of the affected section has been fixed including replacement of affected sleepers and twisted rails,” Okhiria said.

    He said the Corporation deeply condoles with those who lost loved ones and pray for the repose of their souls.

    He said that the management equally sympatised with the injured passengers and indeed everyone on board the AK9 train of Monday 28, for the trauma this unfortunate incident had caused them.

    Okhiria expressed sincere gratitude to the security agencies, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Police, NSCDC among others for their support and cooperation.

    He thanked the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Baba Alkali, for support and visit to the accident site, adding that the visit boosted their morales.

    The NRC boss assured readiness of the Corporation to update Nigerians on the development to prevent misleading information and falsehood.

  • Abuja-Kaduna train attack: NRC confirms safety of 170 passengers

    Abuja-Kaduna train attack: NRC confirms safety of 170 passengers

    The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed the safety of about 170 passengers that were on board the attacked AK9 Abuja to Kaduna train on March 28.
    Mr Fidet Okhiria, the NRCs Managing Director, said in a statement on Saturday that the corporation was however collaborating with relevant authorities to ensure safety of the other passengers.
    ”The Corporation, in continuation of its concerted effort 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.
    Okhiria stated that the corporation had also heavily moved human and material resources to the accident site to ensure resumption of train services without further delays.
    He said the move was to reduce the stress currently faced by its passengers in getting to their destinations.
    He said:’ ‘In practical terms, a high powered restoration team, led by Directors have been working round the clock to re-rail the coaches affected by the bomb blast.
    ”There is a coordinated two-pronged simultaneous restoration approach. While 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.”
    On safety, the NRC boss said arrangements had been put in place for increased security along the track and on board the train to prevent the recurrence of the unfortunate incident.
    He consoled families of victims of the attack, saying ”be assured that the corporation is with you in this challenging time”.
    Recall that on March 28, suspected bandits attacked the last evening train, AK9 on the Abuja–Kaduna train service with explosives.
    This led to the death of some passengers and destruction of the train and track.
    Due to the level of damage on the track and in honour of those that lost their lives, the corporation suspended train operations on the affected route.
    Newsmen reports that there were 11 coaches on the train worked by Loco 2502, which is made up of four SPA Coaches with 56 sitting capacity per coach and seven SP Coaches with 88 sitting capacity per coach.
    Thus, the total seat capacity of the train is 840 seats. The Train Manifest contained 362 validated passengers aboard the train.
  • Train attack: Union wants evening operations abolished

    Train attack: Union wants evening operations abolished

    Disturbed by the attacks on trains on an Abuja-Kaduna passenger train Monday night, the Nigerian Union of Railway Workers (NUR), asked the management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, to suspend the night train operations on the route.

    The umbrella body of workers of the agency in a statement described as “regrettable” the inability of the corporation to implement its security observations on how to improve the security and safety of the train services.

    The union said it has advised NRC to discontinue the night train service until the security situation of the service is improved with on-train CCTV, explosives detectors and other technology-based approaches.

    A signed electronic statement by the union’s secretary-general, Segun Esan, said: “We were shocked to the marrows when we were reached with the sad news of yet another terrorists’ attack on our Abuja – Kaduna passenger train, which happened around 8 pm on Monday 28th March, 2022.

    “As a responsible union, we are completely touched and held in thrall that such a dastardly and unprovoked terrorist attack can befall the flagship and the essence of our operational existence as a corporation for the second time in quick succession having tasted the gall of this terrorists’ attack on our passenger train in October, 2021.

    “We regret that there is no proof that all our observations expressed to the NRC management on improving the security and safety of the train service was taken, especially our advice that night train service be stopped till security situation of the service is improved with on-train CCTV, explosives detectors and other technology-based approaches.

    “We, therefore, use this medium to appeal very profusely to all Nigerian Railway workers in particular and to all Nigerian families whose members might have been affected in one way or the other by this terrorists’ attacks our condolences. In due course, the leadership of the union will make a specific pronouncement on the unfortunate incident.

    “Nevertheless, the union is still gathering information and processing same analytically with a view to arriving at rational convergence leading to making a definite official pronouncement. Meanwhile, the president general and members of the Central Working Committee (NWC) will visit AKTS very shortly in order to have a first-hand the incident.” of the incident.”

  • NRC suspends rail activities along the Abuja-Kaduna route

    NRC suspends rail activities along the Abuja-Kaduna route

    The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has temporarily suspended its service along the Abuja-Kaduna route, due to unforeseen circumstances.

    NRC, via its official Twitter page on Tuesday morning, made the announcement.

    Recall that the Abuja-Kaduna train, with passengers onboard, was attacked by terrorists on Monday night.

    The gunmen were said to have blown up the rail track, forcing the 1000-capacity train to derail around Rijana, a village on the rail corridor in Kaduna.

    The statement read: “Dear passengers, due to unforeseen circumstances, Train operations along the Abuja-Kaduna route has been temporarily suspended.

    “Further Communication would be given in due course.”

  • No concrete information on Abuja-Kaduna train attack – NRC

    No concrete information on Abuja-Kaduna train attack – NRC

    Mr Fidet Okhiria, the Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), has confirmed the attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train by suspected terrorists on Monday night.

    Okhiria however said that ”information concerning the attack was still sketchy, and no concrete information could be given at the moment.

    ”We have confirmed the attack, but we cannot give you much information right now.

    ”From the reports we have gotten, most of the passengers have gone into hiding and the officials on board are yet to give us a report of the situation.

    ”There are reports of gunshots and the train derailed due to the attack,” Okhiria said.

    Recall that a Kaduna bound train was last night attacked by terrorists who bombed the rail tracks and derailed the train. They, thereafter, started shooting sporadically into the air until a combined team of security forces confronted them and reportedly rescued the about 970 trapped passengers.

    The incident happened between Katari and Rijana train stations, as the train was en route Kaduna from Abuja.

  • Ibadan-Lagos fuel saga: Reps move to probe NRC over train breakdown

    Ibadan-Lagos fuel saga: Reps move to probe NRC over train breakdown

    The House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved to conduct an investigative hearing into why the Ibadan-Lagos railway breakdown that left so many Nigerians stranded.

    To this end, the House in session mandated its committee on Transport to do a status inquiry of Nigeria Railway corporation and its inadequacies and report back to the house within 4 (four) weeks.

    This was sequel too a motion of urgent public importance entitled: “Need to investigate the Ibadan- Lagos train fuel saga” raised at plenary by the House minority leader, Ndudi Elumelu (PDP, Delta).

    Raising the motion, Elumelu cited that in recent times , there have been series of media reports of how passenger trains breakdown in the middle of nowhere for lack of maintenance thereby subjecting commuters to possible attacks by hoodlums and armed robbers who can brutalise, maim and cart away hard earned monies and goods of innocent Nigerians.

    The Minority leader of the House further pointed that another sad episode happened on Thursday the 11th day of march 2022 , where a train conveying passengers and goods from lagos to Ibadan came to a halt midway due to insufficient fuel , once again endangering the lives of innocent Nigerian travellers on the trip.

    He expressed concern that another of the operational incompetence of the NRC is the issue of ticket racketeering and hoarding to the public thereby undermining government revenue which inhibit target loan repayment and constitute economic sabotage

    According to him, this episode exposes the carelessness, irresponsibility and incompetence of the management of the Nigeria railway corporation to effectively and efficiently manage the sector.

    The lawmaker while being disturbed explained that “for a train to leave the station with insufficient fuel only to get stuck midway into the journey with traumatised and stranded passengers, is a huge national embarrassment which not only makes our nation a laughing stock in the eyes of the international community but a complete system failure”.

    “The excuse by Fidelis Okhiria the Managing Director of NRC is not just laughable but points to the inability of the management to effectively conduct routine standard operational checks thereby raising serious issues about the safety and reliability of our rail services which must be seriously investigated”, he said.

    He expressed worry that if these irresponsible and careless act by the NRC is not effectively tackled and nipped at the bud, it may one day lead to a major disaster where innocent Nigerians will end up losing their lives, hence the need for this motion.

    To this end, the House adopted the motion when the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila called for voice vote after debates from members who mostly supported the motion.

    The Nigeria railway corporation under the supervision of the ministry of transport came into existence 112yrs ago for the purposes of easy and cheap movement of bulk goods and commuters from hinterlands to seaports and vice versa and its first rail business activities was commenced with the construction of the Lagos / Ibadan rail line.

  • NRC states why Ibadan -bound train ran out of fuel

    NRC states why Ibadan -bound train ran out of fuel

    The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has reacted to a viral video showing that one of its trains ran out of fuel and stopped in the middle of a forest en route Ibadan from Lagos.

    NRC Managing Director, Fidet Okhiria, made it known in Lagos on Thursday night that the incident was caused by fuel gauge failure on the passenger train service.

    She also explained that passengers coming to Lagos from Ibadan through the standard gauge train were not stranded as the matter was resolved within an hour.

    “The train gauge had an issue while the engineers thought the diesel in the train tank would take them to Lagos.

    “The train gauge was not reading correctly, so by the time they started moving, the driver discovered that there is no sufficient diesel in the train.

    “Immediately they discovered the challenge, they responded quickly and under an hour they were able to get drum of diesel to fill the tank and continued the journey back to Lagos,” Okhiria said.

    The train conveying commuters to Ibadan ran out of fuel and stopped, however, NRC made provisions for it to be refilled before the continuation of the journey.

  • “The fuel got exhausted”, NRC official confirms train from Lagos-Ibadan left passengers stranded

    “The fuel got exhausted”, NRC official confirms train from Lagos-Ibadan left passengers stranded

     

    An official of the Nigerian Rail Corporation (NRC) has confirmed that a train from Lagos to Ibadan on Thursday afternoon ran out of diesel, leaving passengers stranded in the bush for over four hours.

    This is coming barely two days after air passengers were stranded across various airports in the country owing to the non-availability of aviation fuel otherwise known as Jet A1.

    “What happened was that the fuel got exhausted and we are re-fuelling it at the moment for the return trip,” the official who did not want to be named said.

    At 11:26am, a twitter user @IsaiahObadare raised the alarm that he and other passengers, including some Chinese nationals were stuck in the middle of the forest after their train stopped abruptly, and that the crew announced that the train had exhausted its diesel.

    “Boarded Train from Ibadan to Lagos. We’re still stuck in the forest with unknown Chinese Men. They said fuel finished. What a beautiful country, Nigeria.” Obadare tweeted.

    The twitter user provided a picture update showing a hilux van delivering a drum of diesel at 3:07pm and wrote: “This is when we eventually got diesel”.

    Locomotives have diesel tank of about 5,000 to 6,500 litres which is sufficient for their journey of about 1000 km and are usually refuelled at their shed, since every shed has a fuel depot.

    However, in a video from the scene which has gone viral, some passengers were seen sitting on the tracks, while others stood watching as the train was being refuelled.

  • NRC shortlists 5 firms to bid for e-ticketing for Lagos-Ibadan /Warri Itakpe rail line

    NRC shortlists 5 firms to bid for e-ticketing for Lagos-Ibadan /Warri Itakpe rail line

    The Nigerian Railways Corporation has pre-qualified five firms to submit their technical and financial bids for the provision of e-ticketing solutions for the Lagos-Ibadan and Warri Itakpe Standard Gauge railway line.

    Newsmen reports that two bidders were shortlisted for the Lagos-Ibadan line, while three lots were shortlisted for Warri-Itakpe line.

    Euhoria Press Ltd. and Paragon and Global Software Digital Solutions Ltd., were shortlisted for Lagos-Ibadan, while the three shortlisted for Warri-Itakpe included Fane International Consult Ltd., Turnaround Engineering Ltd. and Electronic Payplus Ltd.

    The Director Procurement of NRC, Mr Ben Iloanusi, told Newsmen during the Request for Proposal exercise in Lagos on Monday that NRC had issue Requests for Proposal (RFP) which would analyze the technical solution and the financial strength of the bidders.

    The Procurement Director, said that NRC had now issue Requests For Proposal (RFP) which would analyze the technical solution and the financial strength of the bidders.

    The Director, Transport Infrastructure of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr Emmanuel Onwodi, commended NRC for their diligence and transparency for selecting e-ticketing service providers.

    Onwodi said that the commission was running a two stage process with the idea of coming up with a preferred bidder that would go into partnership with the Federal Government to deliver the secure solution for the running of the E-ticketing.

    “What we have done before now is the Request for Qualification (RFQ) at the end of the exercise, we have pre -qualified five firms and we have issue them request for proposals, meaning that they had asked to submit their technical and financial bids.

    ” We have not started the evaluation of the bidders yet, we just want to find out if all the requirements such as soft copies of their proposal, three years audited statements, power of attorney, and all documents were written in English to make the interpretation easy.

    “Congratulations to all the bidders, they all passed the RFP exercises and now the evaluation team will pick each of the submissions one after the other and evaluate based on merit,”Onwodi said.

    He said that after the approval of the evaluation report in line with the approval processes, the authority would invite the successful bidder for negotiations.

  • 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.