Reps to probe rail accidents nationwide

THE House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved to probe incessant deaths at Railway crossing across the country.

The House further directed the Nigeria Railway Corporation, NRC, to as a matter of urgency provide Rail level crossing barriers, highway codes and alarm systems at all rail level crossings nationwide to curb incessant deaths at railway intersections.

The House committees on Police affairs, Information, National orientation, ethics and values as well as Land transportation are to engage authorities of the NRC for proper implementation.

The House resolution followed a motion sponsored by Honorable Akinwunmi Olaitan and Jimoh Olajide on the need to probe November 16 rail accident which occurred at Fagba area of Ifako Ijaye federal Constituency of Lagos state and ascertain what happened in order to prevent the future occurrence and as well sanction those culpable.

Honourable Olaitan in his motion frowned at the negligent attitude of drivers whom he blamed for such accidents.

He attributed the bad situation to a failure of both vehicle drivers to abide by highway codes and the railway authorities to provide level crossing barriers, even when they are aware that most crossing locations are among the most eventful points on the transportation network.

Olaitan further lamented the enormity of train accident, given the size of the machine and the consequences and called for the provision of the modern railway crossing barriers, bells, railway/roads signs and signals as well as lights.

Debating the objectives of the motion, the lawmakers expressed concern at the level of negligence by motorists and Rail Corporation such that a train could derail, ram into a trailer on the rail line causing multiple crashes among vehicles, trucks and resulting to the death of seven persons without safety signs or warning.

According to the lawmakers it was unacceptable that the rail lines had turned into marketplaces where all manner of trade was ongoing as well as terminals for commercial transporters, noting that the anomaly must cease while the appropriate   personnel, like it is for the federal road safety commission in case of the nation’s roads be introduced to maintain law and order on the lines across the country.