The Minister of Transportation, Mr Said Alkali has raised a committee to investigate circumstances around the train derailment, which occurred on Tuesday at Jere town while traveling from Abuja to Kaduna.
Mrs Janet McDickson, the ministry’s Director of Press and Information on Wednesday in Abuja, disclosed that the committee will investigate the immediate and remote causes of the accident.
Alkali also wants the committee to proffer a permanent solution to the incident, especially make recommendations on how to prevent similar incidents in the future and identify ways to enhance the safety and effectiveness of rail transportation in Nigeria.
The committee members are Musa Ibrahim (DOOPST) Chairman; Prof. Danwaka Shuaibu STA (HMT) member; Engr. Zirra Finbar D(RTS) member; Mr Omotola Olusegun D(Legal) Member/Secretary.
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Others are Dr. Kayode Opeifa (MD NRC) member; Engr. I.A Ebuniwe (Inspector Railway) member; representative of Technics Engineering Architecture Marketing Nig. Ltd, member; representative of CCECC, member; and representative of Civil Society Organisations, member.
Also included in the committee are one male passenger and one female passenger on the ill-fated train.
Credible News reports that 618 persons were evacuated from the derailed Abuja-Kaduna which derailed Tuesday at about 11.09 a.m., at KM 49 between Kubwa station and Asham station.
Thereafter, the NRC management issued the following statement:
“Following the derailment of the Kaduna-bound Abuja–Kaduna Train Service earlier today at Asham, Kaduna State, the NRC wishes to provide an update on the situation.
“A total of 618 persons comprising 583 passengers, 15 NRC crew members, one medical personnel, eight cleaners, and 11 catering staff were successfully evacuated from the train.
“Out of this number, seven passengers sustained varying degrees of injury and were immediately transported by ambulances to hospital facilities by medical personnel mobilised to the site.
“Furthermore, the process of investigation into the incident has commenced under the supervision of relevant authorities, including the Federal Ministry of Transport.
“Meanwhile, all Abuja–Kaduna Train Services AKTS, have been temporarily suspended pending recovery of the site, further clearance and official announcement of service resumption.
“We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused and thank our esteemed passengers and the general public for their understanding.”
NAN
