The avoidable train tragedy

Then, some fun-seeking passengers decided to sit close to the doors of each coach while on transit. They often spread their legs wide open, not minding the dangers of accidently slipping-off. Aside this ugly sight, at each sub-station came some stubborn teenagers who often chased the train while taking-off, just for fun, and they would […]

Then, some fun-seeking passengers decided to sit close to the doors of each coach while on transit. They often spread their legs wide open, not minding the dangers of accidently slipping-off. Aside this ugly sight, at each sub-station came some stubborn teenagers who often chased the train while taking-off, just for fun, and they would dangerously step down when the train gathered speed, without the presence of security operatives  that could deter them.
What eventually happened that fatefully day was a tragic accident on transit. On approaching Sarki power sub-station, about three coaches broke off from the train. The train lacked communication gadget to inform the passengers in each coach about the unfortunate development. Passengers were screaming and villagers were shouting to no avail. When our coach finally stopped, the other coaches were descending from a slope after the bridge, and hit ours with a full force. The impact was catastrophic.
To cut the story short, a young boy died instantly and over 16 passengers sustained various degrees of injuries. The coaches were littered with human blood.  Whatever may be the explanation from the authority then, it was certain that carelessness particularly of the management of Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) was partly responsible for this accident. The hooks that joined each coach were either sub-standard or they had out-lived their usefulness.
Also, none of the coaches hadfunctioning electric bulb and the fans attached to them were not functioning too. The coaches were dark and stuffy at night, which made it a gold mine for thieves to operate at ease. We arrived in Minna at exactly 11.09pm that day.
I am calling on the railways authorities to please deploy more security personnel on board the trains. No passenger should be allowed to sit or stand by the doors while on transit.  A first-aid unit should be put in each train to attend to passengers when the need arises. All broken bulbs and fans should be fixed, and beggars and advertisers should be banned while on transit. A group insurance cover policy should be introduced for passengers who genuinely bought tickets and their identities put on manifest book, as is being done in other developing countries.

Zachiam Bayei wrote this letter from Minna, Niger State, and can be reached at: [email protected]