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Opeifa unfolds railway revolution plans to make rail travels exciting experience among Nigerians 

Funso OLOJO 
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, has unfolded plans by the Federal government, through the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), to institutionalize exciting railway travel experience among Nigerians.
The plans, he said, included revitalizing the existing narrow and standard gauges lines, refurbishment of existing coaches and other railway infrastructure and introduction of modern, fast- paced rail system in the country.
He further listed measures that would boost the repositioning of the nation’s legacy railway agency, prevent recurrence of accidents and return it to the path of sustainability.
Opeifa, at an interactive session with journalists, at the NUJ FCT Centre, Abuja, on Sunday, August 31st, 2025, said he remained focused on giving to Nigerians a new train travel experience either on the narrow or standard gauge rail lines.
Among other measures he outlined are institutional reforms, management restructuring, financial sustainability and deepening customers experience, all of which, he said, are part of measures being implemented under his watch.
Also outlined are measures aimed at optimizing the use of the two narrow and standard gauges, freight revolution by train, and optimizing track access by the state governments, while he added that there are efforts by the Federal Government to complete all ongoing rail infrastructure for national development.
He assured that the Tinubu administration is committed to the transformation of the railway adding that most of these initiatives are already nearing completion.
Opeifa also took time to offer a public apology for the altercation between him and the Transportation Editor of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and former National President of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Comrade Ladi Bala, as well as the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Management, as well as all Nigerian journalists.
He reassured of his commitment to the deepening of the media space and a greater collaboration with the media.
On the situation report on the train accident, Opeifa said well over 500 of the 618 passengers who traveled in the train have been contacted by the now rejigged customer relations unit of the corporation.
Many of the injured passengers, he further added, were traced even as far as to Zaria, where they were contacted by a team led by himself, the AKTS resident doctor and the NRC Abuja Liaison Officer.
The NRC chief also disclosed that the third coach has been rerailed, by men of the corporation, making a total of three coaches and a locomotive that have been removed from the scene of the accident.
He said his office is directly monitoring situation regarding the accident and urged anyone who knows any of the passengers who are receiving treatment in any hospital to come forward as the corporation is committed to taking care of their medical bills apart from refunding them their travel fares.
He maintained that the Abuja -Kaduna Train Service is safe and secured and assured Nigerians of the determination of the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the NRC to restore the tracks and recommence commercial operation on the line as soon as possible.
He said the Corporation is poised to strength it’s institutional restriction, optimizing what it has, with more public sector participation in rail development, and repairing and refurnishing all abandoned locomotives and fixed and rolling stocks, and embarking on aggressive freight by railing revolution which is gaining rapid momentum.
Other initiative are building more collaborations with development commissions and states to adopt the Track Access Program to create interstate train services for the use of more Nigerians and the continued modernisation of its infrastructure.
Opeifa reiterated that while the Asham incident is a sad development, it has further reinforced his commitment to continue to push forward the realization of the corporation’s vision 5:10:20, which ultimately would ensure the realization of the use of renewable energy for operations, moving from diesel to gas, and the introduction of high speed train into the nation’s transportation system, with a huge Public Private Participation arrangement to deepen sustainability.
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Headlines

NRC suspends Warri- Itakpe train service over operational concerns

Funso OLOJO, Editor 
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced the temporary suspension of  Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) due to what the management described as operational exigency and  technical advice from  the Corporation’s Engineers.
The temporary suspension, according to a public statement by the NRC, has become necessary to enable the Corporation carry out critical operational assessments  aimed at ensuring continued safety, reliability, and improved service delivery on the corridor.
“The NRC regrets the inconvenience this development may cause passengers and other stakeholders, and assures the public that efforts are currently ongoing to resolve the issues within the shortest possible time.
“Passengers and intending travelers will be duly informed before the end of the week on the date for the resumption of normal train operations.
“The Corporation remains committed to safe, efficient, and customer-friendly rail services across the country and appreciates the understanding, patience, and continued support of the public during this period” the NRC declared.
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Sallah: FG slashes train fares by 50 percent on all routes 

Gloria Odion, reporter 
The Federal government through the Federal Ministry of Transportation has announced a 50 percent fare reduction on all train services operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) as part of measures to ease transportation costs for Nigerians during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
The discount takes effect from Tuesday, May 26, 2026 and will run through Monday, June 1, 2026.
Accordingly, ticket fares on all NRC passenger train services across the country have been reduced by 50 percent of the existing approved rates within the stated period.
Passengers who had earlier purchased tickets at the full fare before the announcement will be entitled to a 50 percent rebate, reusable for train rides on or before Monday, June 1st, 2026.
Train schedules and timetables remain as previously advertised.
The Federal Ministry of Transportation said it appreciated the continued support of Nigerians and wishes all passengers and the Muslim faithful a peaceful and joyous Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
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Salah: NIWA MD threatens to wield big stick on violators of safety guidelines on waterways 

— calls for calm over Supreme Court judgement 
Funso OLOJO,Editor 
The Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Umar Yusuf Girei, has issued a stern warning to boat operators across the country to strictly adhere to waterways safety regulations during the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
Girei gave the warning during an exclusive interview with journalists at the NIWA headquarters in Lokoja, noting that festive periods often witness increased movement on the inland waterways, particularly within riverine communities.
According to him, compliance with safety measures during the Sallah season remains non-negotiable.
He stressed that overloading of boats would not be tolerated, while the use of life jackets by all passengers and operators remains compulsory.
Girei also warned against night travel, alcohol consumption by operators, and disregard for weather advisories.
“No overload, wearing of life jackets is mandatory, no night travel, no alcohol, and operators must ensure proper weather checks before embarking on any journey,” he stated.
The NIWA Acting MD further disclosed that enforcement teams, in collaboration with relevant security agencies, would be deployed across jetties nationwide to ensure strict compliance with safety regulations.
He warned that violators risk arrest, seizure of vessels, and prosecution.
Girei also urged passengers to avoid boarding overloaded boats, vessels without adequate life jackets, or boats attempting to operate at night.
While extending Eid-el-Kabir greetings to Muslim faithfuls, he appealed to community and religious leaders to help amplify waterways safety awareness during sermons and public gatherings.
Meanwhile, the NIWA boss advised stakeholders and clients of the Authority not to panic over the recent Supreme Court judgment concerning aspects of the NIWA Act.
He explained that the apex court upheld the Authority’s statutory responsibilities relating to inland waterways navigation, safety regulation, channel management, river infrastructure development, and the promotion of inland waterways transportation as contained in Sections 10 and 11 of the NIWA Act.
According to him, Sections 12 and 13 of the Act, which deal with land matters unrelated to maritime activities, were voided by the Supreme Court only to the extent of their inconsistency with the Constitution.
Girei therefore urged all stakeholders to remain calm, law-abiding, and await an official statement from NIWA after the Authority obtains the Certified True Copy of the judgment from the Supreme Court.
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