The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa, has publicly accepted full responsibility for the derailment of the Abuja-Kaduna train, which occurred on Tuesday along the Kaduna corridor.
Speaking during an appearance on The Morning Brief, a programme aired on Channels Television on Wednesday, Mr Opeifa expressed regret over the incident and assured Nigerians that a thorough investigation is underway.
“Let me say, beyond apologising to Nigeria, I want to say as the Managing Director and Chief Executive, I take full responsibility. And in the case of safety, there is no indifference,” he said.
“Once it happens, the Chief Executive must take responsibility. In this case, I am taking responsibility.”
While emphasising that such incidents are neither expected nor acceptable, Mr Opeifa reassured the public that the NRC is taking concrete steps to prevent a recurrence.
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“I want to assure Nigerians that an incident like this is not expected, is not prayed for, should not be happening, but where it does, it is to bring out the best in us,” he stated.
Highlighting proactive safety measures, he noted the recent shutdown of the Warri-Itakpe rail line three weeks ago, which he personally ordered for maintenance and safety upgrades.
“If you see the level of work the men have been doing on the track – cutting it off and replacing it – it is to make sure things like this don’t happen,” he added.
The derailment, which occurred shortly after the train departed Abuja around 11 a.m. en route to Kaduna, has raised fresh concerns over the safety of Nigeria’s rail infrastructure.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the incident, with Mr Opeifa promising transparency and diligence in the process.
