The Senate has set up an ad hoc committee to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the persistent derailments of the country’s rail lines.
This followed the adoption of a motion on the recent derailment of the Ujevwu-Itakpe train line.
Sen. Ede Dafinone (APC- Delta) moved the motion at plenary in Abuja.
The committee is to carry out a public hearing to uncover the causes of recurring derailments; investigate loans rece chairs the committee with Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, (APGA-Abia) Aliyu Wamakko (APC-Sokoto), Solomon Adeola, (APC-Ogun) Danjuma Goje (APC-Gombe), Ireti Kingibe (LP-FCT), Sahabi Yau (Dafinone Ede, (APC Delta) and Adamu Alero (APC-Kebbi) as members
The committee has six weeks to complete its findings and report to the Senate at plenary.
Earlier, Dafinone in his motion said the recent Warri-Itakpe train derailment in the Agbor Delta happened four days after resumption of train service on the route.
He said reports from Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), indicate that the derailment, which occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, may have been caused by vandals.
The Senator said two out of the seven coaches of the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) were involved.
He said the NRC, in a statement, had noted that there were no casualties recorded.
“We are pleased to confirm that all passengers on board were safely evacuated to Agbor and everyone has been fully accounted for. No casualties or injuries were recorded,” the senator quoted NRC.
“Our recovery team, supported by security personnel, has been at the site since last night, carrying out recovery operations.
“These efforts are progressing steadily and are expected to be completed soon,” Dafinone quoted NRC statement.
The Senate further directed the NRC to immediately address the technical faults responsible for recent derailments and ensure restoration of the nation’s rail system to full operational capacity.
