Due to the number of threat factors, the Nigeria rail has experienced a setback.
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
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The railway i s expected to experience this setback. After people were attacked, when the railway has barely been launched. Nobody’s life should be at risk because the government failed to do the needful. Let them keep their railway transport. People were surviving before that.
A lot of factors are affecting the Train service system. Insecurity especially is one of the reasons why and it’s so unfortunate. We can’t resume Transportation through railways except if security of lives and properties are guaranteed.
It will definitely reduce because of the level of security threat happening around is what is making the citizenry afraid of going through rail system because of been attacked
The railway met many setback people we’re attack, kidnapped because of insecurity to protect the railway so people are scared to engage in railway who want to keep attacked unless the do the needful railway will continue dropping
There can’t be any genuine reason for the set back other than the insecurity that continues to plague the country. People still have not recovered from the traumatic experience of Kaduna train bombed and hijacked by the so called bandits, thus the reason why most deviate from anything railway.
It’s unfortunate that there were fewer passengers than there were before. As a point of comparison, the number of passengers who elected to take a train trip during the second quarter of the year 2021.
People in Nigeria who are unable to use the country’s roads or airports are turning to rain travel as an alternative means of transportation as the practice has become more widespread in recent years.
It’s great that rail travel in Nigeria has become increasingly popular as an alternative means of transportation for those who are unable to access the country’s roads or airports. Those people can still get where they need to go!
It is natural for people to be concerned about the escalating insecurity, a possible reduction in the number of train trips, and the train’s potential to face mechanical difficulties.
When the assailants surrounded the train and began firing erratically, it is tragic that several people were killed and many more were injured as a result of the attack.
Train travel in Nigeria has been increasingly popular as an alternative means of transportation for individuals who are unable to use the country’s highways or airports. This is especially true for those who are traveling long distances.
The second quarter revenue drop was caused by simmering insecurity fears, fewer train journeys, and mechanical problems.
When measured in terms of income, number of coaches, and number of people carried, this route ranked among the most active train services in the country.
The government is looking into any and all possible options for surveillance, including the idea of contracting this out to a private company as part of a public-private partnership (PPP)
They are concerned about pricing themselves out of the market in the process, especially considering that the increase in the price of gasoline is very insignificant in comparison to the increase in the price of diesel.
Insecurity especially is one of the reasons why the Train service system isn’t working out. We can’t resume Transportation by railways except if security of lives and properties are guaranteed.
most will experience setback in all the sector in this country. We the people really need to get it right on in this 2023 election
Railway is one of the best system of transportation. It generate revenue for our government and help to ease transportation. Before the railway can begin operations every needed things should be put in place.
We would been enjoying the railway now but due to some on for seen circumstances it has experience setback. Government should please fast track these project and put in place necessary things before the railway can be fully operated
Out government has failed in terms of security. Before the railways can be fully functional everything needed for smooth running of the railways must be fixed including security.
The decline in income during the second quarter was brought primarily by lingering insecurity fears, fewer train trips, and technical difficulties. People don’t feel safe boarding trains after what happened. And the government haven’t given people reason to feel safe by putting security measures in place