The managing director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Freeborn Okhiria, addressed the House of Representatives Committee on Land Transport regarding the ongoing battle with vandals who are attempting to disrupt the corporation’s operations.
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He emphasized the severity of the issue, stating that it poses a significant challenge for the corporation, particularly in areas such as the Kabba-Kaduna axis where staff face difficulties accessing certain locations due to vandalism.
Okhiria mentioned that the Minister of Transport has established a committee to assess the extent of the damage caused by vandalism to the corporation’s assets nationwide.
To combat this threat, the Railway has taken proactive measures, including restricting the sale of scrap to a single company, CAM, and implementing measures to apprehend any vehicles transporting stolen materials.
He recounted an incident where railway tracks were vandalized between Offa and Ilorin, highlighting the importance of vigilance in protecting the corporation’s infrastructure.
Okhiria also clarified a misunderstanding in Maiduguri where NRC officials were wrongly detained due to a miscommunication, stressing the need for improved coordination with security agencies to prevent such incidents in the future.
Additionally, he explained that the movement of coaches from Maiduguri to Jos was a routine operation, emphasizing the importance of proper communication with relevant authorities to avoid misunderstandings.
