By Nurat Uthman
In a surprising turn of events, Mr. Fidet Okhiria, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), is facing potential disciplinary action due to allegations of mismanagement and operational discrepancies on the popular Abuja-Kaduna train service.
To address these concerns, Okhiria and his management team are scheduled to meet with Transportation Minister Saidu Alkali at the Bukar Dipcharima House in Abuja. This meeting aims to provide a comprehensive briefing on the activities of the NRC, which is Nigeria’s oldest public corporation.
According to Vanguard, the decision to hold Okhiria accountable was announced by the Transport Minister during an unannounced visit to the Abuja Train Station of the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service.
The Minister wanted to gain firsthand insight into the operations of the nation’s standard gauge flagship, which has been in commercial operation since 2017.
Citing recent reports of frequent train delays, safety concerns, and overall dissatisfaction among passengers, the Minister stated that Okhiria must personally address these issues and provide a satisfactory explanation to avoid disciplinary actions.
The Minister emphasized the importance of achieving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda of “Renewed Hope” and expressed the belief that Okhiria’s appearance before the ministry would facilitate necessary improvements.
During the visit, the Minister discovered various issues, such as malfunctioning toilet facilities and unpaid allowances for security escorts.
The Minister also noted that lifts and escalators were not functioning properly, making it difficult for elderly and disabled individuals to use the train service.
In light of these findings, Okhiria will be required to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against him.
The Minister is also interested in hearing about the NRC’s performance over the past decade, the status of its financial assets, and the prospects for the future.
Additionally, Alkali intends to inquire about the status of NRC subsidiary companies, particularly the Nigerian Railway Corporation Property Management Services Limited (NRCPMSL), which is considered one of Nigeria’s largest property holding firms.
During the meeting, Okhiria is expected to provide details about Nigeria’s engagement with the ChinaExim Bank, which has likely played a significant role in the country’s railway development.
Expectedly, Okhiria will intimate the minister with details on the nation’s engagement with the ChinaExim Bank, which facilitated the loan with which the nation had procured the busiest trunk network – the Lagos-Kano Standard Gauge – a contract the Muhammadu Buhari administration completed the Lot II segment from Lagos-Ibadan in 2021.
Alkali further outlined his plan to revamp the railway services swiftly, adding that within the next 48 hours, he assures the public that the escalators will be fixed and the lifts will be operational.
