NRC MD: Hold me responsible for Abuja-Kaduna train derailment

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Kayode Opeifa, says he has taken full responsibility for Tuesday’s derailment of the Kaduna-bound train departing the Kubwa station in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Daily Trust had reported how the incident occurred along the Kaduna corridor shortly after the train left Abuja at about 11 a.m. […]

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Kayode Opeifa, says he has taken full responsibility for Tuesday’s derailment of the Kaduna-bound train departing the Kubwa station in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Daily Trust had reported how the incident occurred along the Kaduna corridor shortly after the train left Abuja at about 11 a.m.

Speaking on Wednesday during an appearance on Channels Television, Opeifa, however, said the ongoing investigation into the incident would not be swept under the carpet.

“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.

He said the NRC would ensure that there is no recurrence.

“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.

“And I assure Nigerians that just as we are doing currently on the Warri-Itakpe, which he (the analyst) also mentioned, we shut down the Warri-Itakpe (route) three weeks ago.

“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 said.