The House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, for questioning following a series of train derailments on the Abuja-Kaduna railway corridor.
News About Nigeria reports that the decision was made after Umar Ajilo, representing Makarfi-Kudan Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, introduced a motion of urgent public importance during Tuesday’s plenary session.
Ajilo, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), expressed alarm over the frequent derailments, stating, “The rate at which derailments occur along the Abuja-Kaduna rail line has become alarming.”
He mentioned that rail transportation is generally considered the safest mode of travel worldwide.
Detailing the incidents, Ajilo said a derailment occurred at Asha station on June 5, 2024, which stranded many passengers in the Federal Capital Territory.
This incident followed another derailment on Sunday, May 26, where an Abuja-bound train left passengers stranded in the Jere area of Kaduna State.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over the plenary, supported the motion and tasked the House Committee on Land Transportation with summoning the minister and other relevant stakeholders.
The committee was also instructed to investigate the causes of these incidents and report their findings to the House within four weeks.
“The committee is expected to explain the reasons behind the repeated derailments and the measures being implemented to prevent future occurrences. The committee was also instructed to investigate the causes of these incidents and report their findings to the House within four weeks.
“The House must stand to the occasion by investigating these repeated incidents to ensure that the repeated rail derailment incidents do not result in a national calamity,” Ajilo added.
