The Federal Government has disclosed that it is considering unbundling the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to make its services more efficient and effective.
The Minister of Transportation, Muazu Jaji Sambo, made this disclosure in Abuja when members of the NRC Governing Board paid him a courtesy visit.
According to Sambo, the Corporation cannot be the Owner, Operator and Regulator at the same time, pointing out that The private sector is the engine of growth. Let someone else operate your lines efficiently.
Briefing the Board on what the Government is doing concerning resumption of rail services, the Minister said commercial operations will resume after security measures are installed to forestall re-occurrence of train attacks in the country. We are looking at how the rail lines can be safe, by putting-up a 24-hour surveillance and immediate-response apparatus.
Furthermore, he said the security measures will include short and long term plans, with the short term plans taking effect from November.
Speaking further, Sambo said that in addition to the security measures, he had promised Nigerians that rail services will become operational only when those kidnapped in the Abuja Kaduna train service have regained their freedom and are reunited with their families.
The Chairman of the NRC Board, Engr. Ibrahim Alhassan Musa informed the Minister that due to the high cost of diesel, the cost of running the trains is so high, admitting that, in actual fact, they are running at a loss. He called on the Minister to intervene, saying the railway service is one of the things the present administration prides itself of, especially the Lagos Ibadan, the Warri Itakpe and the Abuja-Kaduna railway lines.
The Minister further informed that a National Transportation Policy that will articulate a seamless transportation system for the country will soon be launched, urging the Board to ready itself by looking for alternative sources of cheaper and cleaner energy for the transport sector.
