MINISTER of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has attributed the incessant breakdown of the Kaduna-Abuja trains to the unavailability of some spare parts from China.
He, however, said he had instructed the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to rest the locomotive that constantly breaks down on the route.
Amaechi spoke yesterday after a routine inspection of the Lagos-Ibadan rail project where he disclosed that no fewer than 42,000 passengers were conveyed by the trains in the month of June.
The project was formally commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari on June 10.
Speaking on the development, Amaechi said, “After the last breakdown of the Kaduna-Abuja train, I instructed the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to rest that particular locomotive.
“I am surprised that there was a delay related to another breakdown in the early hours of today.
“The issue with the breakdown of the Kaduna-Abuja train is due to lack of maintenance which is attributable to a lack of spare parts from China.
“We have written to Mr President on this issue and he has graciously approved the purchase of spare parts for the Lagos-Ibadan trains.
“Very soon, the Chinese people will supply us with enough spare parts for the Lagos-Ibadan rail.
“By the time they do that, we will be forced to use some of these spare parts for the Kaduna-Abuja trains and hopefully, the issue of incessant breakdown of the trains will be resolved.”
Amaechi said he had directed the NRC to increase the train movement on Lagos-Ibadan from four to eight daily movements as more Nigerians now embrace the service.
He added: “42,000 passengers were moved in June on the Lagos-Ibadan trains.
“We expect the figure to increase in the coming months because if we can move 42,000 in the month that we started, then the figures will increase as more people become aware of the train services between Lagos and Ibadan.”
On the completion stage of the train stations, the Minister stated that due to a recent kidnap of some Chinese officials in the Olodo area of Ogun State, the train station there is yet to be completed.
“The contractor has completed most of the communication and signalling work, but we need to observe the project for the next six months to be sure everything is working perfectly as planned.
“If not, we won’t be able to do the 16 trips-a-day train schedule as planned.
“The reason we are inspecting is to be sure everything is working as planned.
“After six months, when we are very sure of what we are seeing, then we can bring in new coaches and locomotives and increase the trips.”
