Resuming Abuja – Kaduna train serviceright now would be insensitive – FG

The Federal Government said on Wednesday that resuming the Abuja-Kaduna train services would be disrespectful to the suffering of families whose loved ones who were abducted in the corridor and are still in captivity.

At the conclusion of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), which was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo, made this statement while briefing reporters.

Responding to inquiries about the service’s suspension after the attack on the train in March 2022, he said that the Abuja-Kaduna rail service still revolves around two key issues.
He cites the need for monitoring facilities to keep an eye on the tracks as well as families traumatized by the presence of family members still held captive by terrorists.

According to him, the government is considering all of its options for monitoring, including giving it away under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

When asked if there were specific deadlines for carrying out the program, Muazu responded, “If I give you a deadline, I’ll be lying to you. 

Restarting the service while some families grieve day and night for loved ones who are still in the wilderness would be disrespectful.

He claimed that although the government is aware of the associated costs, it should be able to report tangible progress in approximately a month.

The Minister disclosed that the FEC had authorized a contract for the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to repair a crane valued around N1.49 billion.