Minister summons Railway corporation MD 

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr. Fidet Okhiria, is set to face disciplinary actions following alleged mismanagement and operational discrepancies on the highly popular Abuja-Kaduna train service.

Okhiria and his management team are expected to appear before Transportation Minister Saidu Alkali today in Abuja to brief him on the activities of the railway, Nigeria’s oldest public corporation.

The Transport Minister had embarked on unscheduled tour of the Abuja Train Station to have a first-hand idea about what was on the ground at the nation’s standard gauge flagship, which started commercial operation in 2017.

Citing recent reports of persistent train delays, safety concerns, and the generally unsatisfactory experience of passengers, the Minister stated that Okhiria will personally explain his shortcomings and explain ‘satisfactorily’ why he shouldn’t face disciplinary action.

“It is out of a desire to achieve the agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Renewed Hope. When a visit is scheduled they’ll put some of the things in place because they are aware you are coming.

“So, seeing is believing, as I have seen by myself. I inspected the coaches. Some of the toilet facilities are not working.

“I received a complaint from the security escorts that in the last five months their allowances were not paid and I am happy that the MD of NRC is appearing before the ministry on Tuesday to brief us.

”I am now well informed that the lifts and escalators aren’t working, which makes it very difficult for the elderly and the disabled persons to use the train for travelling.

“Therefore, he would explain why disciplinary action wouldn’t be taken against him,” the minister said.

The minister is expected to be briefed on how the NRC has performed in the last decade, its successes, prospects and challenges.