By Haruna Salami
The Senate on Thursday constituted an ad hoc committee to conduct a comprehensive investigation into allegations of poor execution of the Abuja–Kaduna railway contract.
The committee, chaired by former Edo State Governor and National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North), is tasked with examining reports of frequent breakdowns, substandard installation of rail tracks, and the alleged use of second-hand coaches by the contractor.
Other members of the committee are Senators Osita Ngwu (APC, Enugu West), Sahabi Yau (APC, Zamfara North), Solomon Adeola (APC, Ogun West), and Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central).
Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, announced the formation of the ad hoc committee during plenary after an explanatory order was raised by Senator Ningi, who expressed concern over the rapid decline of the Abuja–Kaduna railway line, which was commissioned in 2015 during the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
Senator Ningi said the motion was also aimed at investigating the billions of naira generated during the peak operation of the railway and to determine what became of the revenue accrued by its management.
Expressing deep concern, the lawmaker recounted his personal experience while travelling on the route, describing the situation as alarming.
According to him, a transport system that once conveyed over 10,000 passengers daily has now dropped to about 800 passengers. He added that the duration of the journey, which ordinarily should take about one hour between Abuja and Kaduna, now often exceeds three hours.
He therefore urged the Senate and Nigerians to rise to the challenge and uncover the reasons behind the sudden malfunctioning of the Abuja–Kaduna railway.
In his response, Senate President Akpabio directed the ad hoc committee to also investigate claims regarding the use of second-hand coaches and the condition of the rail tracks.
He described the situation as disturbing, remarking that even a commercial tricycle could potentially reach Kaduna and attempt a return trip to Abuja while the train was still en route.
Akpabio stressed that the development was unacceptable and underscored the need for a thorough investigation into the country’s railway system.“No Nigerian should ever have to beg their government to acknowledge their suffering. No family should be forced to prove that their loved ones have been taken by violence before the state will act.
“The ADC stands with the people of Kaduna State and with all Nigerians who believe that leadership begins with honesty, that authority carries responsibility, and that the first duty of government is to protect life, dignity, and truth”, the statement concluded.
