FG begins infrastructural improvements at Idu train station

The Federal Government has commenced improvement of facilities and infrastructure at Idu Train Station, Abuja, to improve service delivery. Mr Fidet Okhira, Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), stated this after an inspection visit to the station on Wednesday. Okhira added that the move was to improve customer service experience and ensure comfort, safety, and the safety of users. He explained that the inspection became necessary following the unscheduled visit by the Minister of Transportation, Sen. Saidu Alkali to the station. He added Alkali had highlighted some issues that needed to be corrected. “My visit today is a follow up to ensure that all directives are duly followed and implemented. “We appreciate the minister`s visit because it has put us on our toes and everybody, including myself, is busy getting the job done,“ he said. He said that the three faulty lifts at the station have been fixed, while one of the three escalators was also working. He explained that the remaining two escalators could only work in one way for now, adding that the remaining two were being fixed. According to him, the NRC has keyed into the renewed hope of President Bola Tinubu and is determined to transform the railway service to serve the public better. On welfare, the managing director said that the corporation had paid two months out of the five months allowances owed to cleaners and security personnel. He explained that the delay was due to a shortfall in revenue generation since the train attack, adding that expenses had equally gone up.   “We will do all we can to ensure that the remaining balance is paid. This key to boost their morale to keep the train clean and safe for all users. “Nonetheless, we are appealing for continued cooperation of the cleaners and security personnel to enable us to deliver quality services to the members of the public,” he said. Okhira commended the Nigerian Police, the Army, and other stakeholders for securing the station and keeping it clean and serene.

Minister to sanction NRC MD over poor maintenance of Idu Train Station facilities

Following complaints by passengers of non-functional toilet facilities in some of the train stations, the Minister of Transport, Senator Saidu Ahmed Alkali has vowed to sanction the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Fidet Okhiria. In an unscheduled visit to the Idu Train Terminal in Abuja at the weekend, the minister was greeted with a series of complaints by passengers at the station. The complaints ranged from non-functioning of toilet facilities in some of the coaches, non-payment of allowances, and unkempt condition of the coaches.   Alkali said, “Seeing is believing, as I have seen by myself. I inspected the coaches and some of the toilet facilities are not working. “I received a complaint from the security escorts that in the last five months their allowances were not paid and I am happy that the MD of NRC is appearing before the ministry on Tuesday to brief. “I am now well informed that the lifts and escalators aren’t working, which makes it very difficult for the elderly and the disabled persons to use the train for traveling. Therefore, he would explain why the disciplinary action wouldn’t be taken against him”. According to the minister, the essence of the visit was achieved. “So, from the experience when the visit is scheduled, they will be able to put some of the things in place because they know you are coming to see it” He assured that in the next 48 hours, the escalators and the lift will be working. “I am also going to ensure that the outstanding allowances of the escorts are paid on Monday.  “I am going to liaise with the Ministry of Defense so that we’re going to ensure that we’ve maintained unmanned area vehicles so that it’d give them protection from the air. “The coaches are unkempt. The seats aren’t clean. So, we need to ensure that all these things are put in place,” he stressed