‘I take full responsibility for Abuja-Kaduna train accident’ – NRC MD
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa, has taken full responsibility for the recent derailment of the Abuja-Kaduna train, which took place on Tuesday. Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, Opeifa emphasized his accountability and the commitment to a transparent investigation into the incident.
“Let me say, beyond apologising to Nigeria, I want to say as the managing director and chief executive, I take full responsibility. And in the case of safety, there is no indifference,” Opeifa stated. He further elaborated that whenever such incidents occur, it falls on the leadership to acknowledge their role and ensure corrective measures are implemented.
While acknowledging that the derailment was an unexpected event, he assured the public that steps are being taken to prevent future occurrences. “I want to assure Nigerians that an incident like this is not expected, is not prayed for, should not be happening, but where it does, it is to bring out the best in us,” he said.
Opeifa highlighted ongoing safety improvements on the Warri-Itakpe route, which had been shut down three weeks prior for necessary track repairs. “I ordered the shutdown for safety reasons, and if you see the level of work the men have been doing on the track, cutting it off and replacing it is to make sure things like this don’t happen,” he added.
The derailment occurred shortly after the train left Abuja around 11 a.m. en route to Kaduna, resulting in a frantic scene as passengers scrambled to safety.
Source: The Nation
