According to the figures on rail transportation that were provided by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, passenger traffic on the Nigerian rail system has experienced a decrease. In the second quarter of 2022, it was discovered that the number of passengers had decreased by 25.29 per cent, coming in at 422 393 total. In comparison, the number of passengers who chose to travel by rail reached 565,385 during the second quarter of the year 2021.
In recent years, train travel in Nigeria has become increasingly popular as an alternate mode of transportation for those who are unable to use the country’s roads or airports. However, the decrease in passenger traffic from Q1 2022, which totaled 953,099, is a significant reason for concern. The decrease in revenue also during the second quarter was brought on by a number of factors, including the raging insecurity fears, a decrease in the number of train journeys, as well as mechanical difficulties experienced by the train.
Many were killed and abducted in the Abuja-Kaduna railway attack.
On March 1st, media outlets reported an attack on the Abuja-Kaduna railway line. Bandits strangely exploded a bomb on the Abuja-Kaduna train’s track between Katari and Rijana, rendering it unable to continue its journey. Many people, including the Secretary-General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria, Barrister Musa-Lawal Ozigi, and the former Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala, were killed and many more were injured when the attackers surrounded the train and began firing sporadically.
Furthermore, the comments released in April by the Nigerian Railway Corporation and in October by Prof. Usman Yusuf, Secretary to the Chief of Defense Staff Action Committee revealed that the terrorists abducted 44 passengers. The National Railway Corporation of Nigeria (NRC) has suspended the Abuja-Kaduna train service indefinitely as a result of increased security threats and tension from the families of victims of the attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train on March 28th. This service was one of the most active rail services in the nation in terms of revenue, coaches, and passengers.
Many things need to be fixed before the rail service resumes again.
Speaking on when the Abuja-Kaduna train service would resume, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, the Minister of Transportation, affirmed that he would be lying if he gave a specific date. To restart the service while some families lament unceasingly for loved ones still in the bush would be insensitive. The minister has stated that the government is exploring all viable possibilities for surveillance, including the possibility of concession this in a public-private partnership (PPP). However, with the release of more abducted victims, improved security architecture, and the approval of a contract for the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) for about N1.49 billion for the repair of cranes, the Abuja-Kaduna rail service may soon resume operations.
In addition, passengers in the Southwest have reported that the movement of the train has been disrupted due to technical issues, which has led to a decrease in the overall number of passengers. Moreover, earlier in March, a train carrying passengers from Lagos to Ibadan stopped in the middle of the journey due to an insufficient amount of diesel. As a result, many passengers were left stranded for several hours until the problem was fixed.
Diesel hike is also a setback to the rail service.
Moreover, due to the increase in the price of diesel, the Nigeria Railway Corporation, NRC, cut the number of its Lagos-Ibadan Train Service by roughly 66.67 percent. The Managing Director of NRC, Fidet Okhiria, recently spoke with the media about the effects of the recent increase in fuel prices, saying that the organization has offered some suggestions in this regard. However, the increased price of diesel has exceeded our calculations, even while taking into account their suggestions. However, they are cautious about pricing themselves out of the market in the process, especially since the increase in the price of gasoline is very small compared to that of diesel. In addition, everyone is aware that transporters are a major source of competition on the roadways. They used to make six round trips, but currently, they only make two since there is a problem with diesel.
Related Link
NRC: Website
