Tag: Abuja-Kaduna rail

Kaduna-Abuja train services record low passenger patronage despite resumption

Aminu Imam

Despite the return of normalcy on the Abuja-Kaduna rail line, it has reportedly been witnessing low passenger patronage barely 24 hours after the resumption of train services by the Nigerian Railway Corporation, (NRC), on that route. The low passenger turnout has been experienced on that route since the resumption of rail services after the quick repairs of the damaged portion of the rail track despite the heavy deployment of security forces to ensure the safety of passengers. According to reports, activities at the Rigasa station on Sunday indicated that despite…

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Rail attack: NRC to restore service on Abuja-Kaduna route today – Minister

Aminu Imam

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, yesterday said train service will resume on the Abuja-Kaduna route today, Saturday, days after a section of the rail line was blown by gunmen. Amaechi, who disclosed this yesterday during an on-site inspection of the scene of the blast, said the government is working with the Department of State Services, (DSS), and the Chief of Army staff to apprehend the suspects. According to the minister, the government was deploying digital security sensors on the railway tracks such that they can easily know when there is…

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NRC suspends Abuja-Kaduna train services over attack

Aminu Imam

…’Vandals, not bandits, attacked train’ – NRC MD Following the explosion that rocked the railway track of the Abuja to Kaduna corridor, the Nigeria Railway Corporation, (NRC), has suspended train services along the route indefinitely. The Managing Director of the NRC, Engr. Fidet Okhiria, who confirmed the attack, said the explosives damaged the rail tracks somewhere between Dutse and Rijana area. The NRC had in a statement on its website, said the services were suspended for the safety of passengers and crew members. The statement added that efforts were being…

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Just In: Terrorists attack Abuja-Kaduna train, bomb track

Aminu Imam

Suspected terrorists, often referred to as bandits, have attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train, forcing the train to stop midway. It was gathered that the bandits first attacked the train on Wednesday night and successfully immobilized it after struggling to move for 7km after the attack. The bandits, according to sources, returned again on Thursday morning and planted an explosive device on the rail track. “The bandits first attacked last Abuja-Kaduna train bearing number AK9 between Rijana and Dutse. The train came under heavy gunfire, but it struggled to stutter for about…

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2022 Budget: FG to spend N71.6bn on Abuja-Kaduna rail line surveillance

Aminu Imam

The Federal Government has earmarked N71, 671,088,783 for the installation of an acoustic sens­ing security surveillance system for the Abuja-Kaduna rail project. This is contained in the 2022 Appropriation Bill presented to the National As­sembly recently by President Muhammadu Buhari. According to the Budget,the Federal Government plans to pay back the sum of N69.3 billion multilateral/ bi-lateral project-tied loans, which were spent on the modernisation project of the Lagos-Ibadan section of the railways. Also, the Ministry of Transportation said that it planned to purchase law books, management of liti­gation and…

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Abuja-Kaduna train service: Private firm to manage E-ticketing for 10yrs

Aminu Imam

A private firm, SecureID, has the concession to manage the Abuja-Kaduna train service  e-ticketing platform for 10 years and recoup up to N900 million before handing over to the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC). The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi disclosed this on Wednesday during the official launch of the e-ticketing platform held virtually. The minister said the on-line ticketing, which marks the beginning of automation of ticket sales in all major stations in Abuja- Kaduna train service, is in line with global world best practices and will enhance efficiency, save…

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Abuja-Kaduna Rail: Chinese blames ‘bad luck’ for frequent locomotive breakdowns

Aminu Imam

The China Railway Construction Corporation Limited (CRCC) has blamed ill luck for the malfunctioning locomotives it recently built for Nigerians. CRCC after-sales Manager, Su Zhiguang, who heads the maintenance team on the Abuja-Kaduna rail line, was quoted to have said that the trains, which arrived in Nigeria in January, were test run and certified ready for deployment in China. At least three passenger trains had broken down after suffering mechanical failures in quick succession over the last two weeks, leaving hundreds stranded along the dangerous Abuja-Kaduna tracks. A video, which…

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