The Nigerian Senate has constituted an adhoc committee to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the persistent derailments of the country’s rail lines.
This followed the adoption of a motion on recent derailment of the Ujevwu-Itakpe train line sponsored by Senator Ede Dafinone (APC- Delta) at plenary on Tuesday.
The terms of reference for the investigation will include a public hearing, aimed to uncover the root causes of recurring derailments.
The adhoc committee which will be chaired by Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC-Edo), will also investigate loans received from China and utilised for rail projects in Nigeria.
Other members of the committee include Senator Abaribe Enyinnaya, (APGA-Abia) Senator Aliyu Wamakko,(APC-Sokoto), Senator Solomon Adeola, (APC-Ogun) Senator Danjuma Goje, (APC-Gombe) Senator Ireti Kingibe, (LP-FCT) Senator Sahabi Yau, (Dafinone Ede,(APC Delta) and Senator Adamu Alero (APC-Kebbi).
The committee has six weeks to complete its findings and present a detailed report to the Senate in plenary.
Earlier, Senator Dafinone in his motion said “the recent Warri-Itakpe train derailment in Agbor, Delta State, happened four days after resumption of train service was announced.”
He said; “reports from Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), indicates that the derailment, which occurred at about 7:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, may have been caused by vandals.”
According to him, 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.
The Senate further directed the NRC to immediately address the technical faults responsible for recent derailments and ensure that restoration of the nation’s rail system to full operational capacity.