The House of Representatives Committee on Land Transport has given the Minister of Transportation, Sa’idu Alkali, 48 hours to appear over the Abuja-Kaduna train derailment.

Blessing Onuh, the chairwoman of the committee (APC-Benue), issued the ultimatum on Tuesday during an investigative hearing in Abuja.

The Kaduna-bound train derailed on August 26 at 11:09 a.m. between Kubwa and Asham stations.

Also summoned are the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Kayode Opeifa, and the Managing Director of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Nigeria Ltd., Guan Shuai.

Ms Onuh explained that the ultimatum followed the minister’s failure to honour earlier invitations to explain the incident. She said it was unacceptable for the minister to “turn his back on Nigerians at a time they needed him most”.

“A toad does not run in the daytime for nothing. We are on recess, but many cut their break and travelled from Lagos over this tragedy. Only for the minister to snub parliament. We strongly object. Our people were endangered. This is not a joke. He must appear within 48 hours,” she said.

Ms Onuh stressed that the committee seeks not only the immediate cause of the derailment, but also the remote and root causes to prevent future occurrences.

Cyril Hart (PDP-Rivers) condemned the minister’s absence, saying that Mr Alkali, as a former lawmaker, should not be seen to dishonour the parliament.

“Over 618 Nigerians could have died. This raises grave questions about the safety of our rail system,” said Mr Hart. “For a former lawmaker to shun this committee when Nigerians need answers is betrayal. We cannot allow anyone to toy with lives.” 

(NAN)