Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa, has taken full responsibility for Tuesday’s Abuja-Kaduna train derailment.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, Opeifa apologised to Nigerians and assured that the investigation into the incident would be thorough and transparent.
“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. Once it happens, the chief executive must take responsibility. In this case, I am taking responsibility,” he said.
The NRC boss admitted the derailment should not have happened but explained that steps were being taken to prevent a repeat. He cited the Warri-Itakpe route which was recently shut down for repairs as part of the corporation’s safety measures.
The Abuja-Kaduna train derailed shortly after departure from Abuja around 11 a.m. on Tuesday. Passengers described the scene as chaotic, with many struggling to get to safety.
The Abuja-Kaduna corridor is one of the busiest railway routes in the country, often preferred by travellers as a safer alternative to the road which has been plagued by bandit attacks in recent years.
