Derailment: Warri-Itakpe train resumes Monday – NRC

The train service from Warri to Itakpe is set to resume operations on Monday, the Management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) said on Sunday in Abuja.

NRC Deputy Director, Public Relations, Mr Yakubu Mahmood, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday.

According to Mahmood, the resumption took place after a temporary suspension of the train operations along the route due to a train derailment at Abraka railway station.

“All intending travellers on the route may continue to book their boarding tickets online from today, July 7, or physically at our stations from Monday, July 8, as usual.

“NRC Management deeply regrets any inconveniences this derailment and temporary suspension of WITS may have caused our valued passengers,” he said.

Our correspondent recalled a derailment of some coaches of a scheduled train service operated by the NRC between Itakpe, Kogi State and Warri in Delta State, on Thursday.

The incident which occurred at Ujewhu near Abraka in Delta State at about 7.15p.m. did not result in any fatalities.

The Minister of Transportation, Sen. Said Alkali had directed the NRC, to immediately ensure the safety and welfare of all passengers on board the train.

Alkali also assured that NRC would evacuate the distressed coaches from the tracks in order to guarantee resumption of services as soon as possible and produce a comprehensive report of the incident for his consideration.

The minister had sympathised with all persons who were on board the train at the time of the incident and further assured the general public, particularly those patronising the train services of their safety and welfare.