By Favour Nnabugwu
Federal Government has lost a whopping N531 million revenue to the suspended Abuja to Kaduna train service between March and September, 2022..
The Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr Fidet Okhiria made this in Lagos while addressing newsmen
We have lost a total of N531million between March 28 to September, 2022, adding that the money would have been remitted to the federal government.
It would be recalled that terrorists unleashed an attack on the Abuja to Kaduna trail which led to the death of eight passengers. About 41 others were injured while scores were kidnapped.
Although, most of those kidnapped have been released, over 22 are still in the den of the terrorists. Reports had it that about 970 passengers were onboard the train during the attack.
In response, the Nigerian Railway Corporation halt service along the Abuja to Kaduna train corridor.
Okhiria said the corporation will not resume service on Abuja to Kaduna rail until all those who remain with the terrorist are released.
The Managing Director further said that four members of the railway corporation are among those still held captive.
He, however, expressed optimism that all those still in captivity will soon be released. He noted that the Minister of Transportation is leading the struggle for the safe release of those still in captivity.
Meanwhile, the federal government has set up a committee to ensure maximum security for train passengers and all train facilities. The committee is to liaise with the appropriate ministries and agencies to fine-tune a safer railway system.
“We are talking about present-day technology so that we can have real-time monitoring. We will also be deploying a lot of security agencies to be at strategic locations”.
