The Federal Government on Wednesday gave reasons why it is not in a hurry to resume train services on the Abuja-Kaduna corridor, adding that doing so will amount to insensitivity to the predicament of the families whose loved ones who were kidnapped on the route and are still being held in captivity by terrorists.
Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo, gave the indication while briefing newsmen at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Responding to questions on the suspension of train service in the aftermath of the March 2022 attack, he noted that two core issues remain at the heart of the Abuja-Kaduna train services.
These, he said, include families traumatized as their members are still being held captive by terrorists and the government’s realization of the imperative of having surveillance facilities fixed at strategic positions to monitor the tracks.
He said the government was toying with the best options in terms of the surveillance including possible concessioning under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
However, the Minister rebuffed overtures to be categorical with a definite timeline within which to execute the initiative, adding, “If I give a timeline, I’ll be lying to you. It will be insensitive to restart the service if some families weep day and night over their members still in the bush.”
He said the government was mindful of cost implications and would be more disposed to report definite progress in about a month.
The Minister revealed that FEC approved a contract for the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) worth about N1.49 billion for the repair of a crane.
